Another 10K Down and Another PR!

This was a weekend full of racing for me and I am able to end it on a high note. Yesterday, I ran the Chalfont Challenge 5K in my hometown of Chalfont, PA. This is the traditional final race of the annual Bucks 5K Series. I only ran 4 of the 7 races in the series this year and yesterday's race was my worst time in the series. I intentionally held back because I knew I'd be running a 10K today. So, I finished the Chalfont Challenge 5K in 26:31 and managed to place 11^th in my age group.

Today's race was a different story. I woke up feeling very positive and determined to give it my best and that is exactly what I did – finished the Princeton Healthcare 10K in 49:40 – a new PR! It was a miserably humid morning as temperatures were forecasted to reach 90 degrees here today. It was probably 68 degrees at race start time. The race course is very pleasant – mostly through shaded tree lined residential streets and a finish on the field and track field that is adjacent to Palmer Stadium at Princeton University. The race venue was about an hour drive from my home so it was another early Sunday morning for me but in the end well worth it.

My strategy for this week is to taper a bit. I am scheduled to run the ½ Sauer, ½ Kraut, ½ Marathon next weekend in Philadelphia so I want to make sure I am well rested and ready to tackle the 13.1 miles through Pennypack Park.

Happy and Safe Running Folks!
John

New PR Set for 10K Race

Princeton Healthcare 10K Race Results

By a mere 17 seconds, I was able to achieve a new PR for a 10K race today, finishing the Princeton Healthcare 10K in 54:42:82. This was only my 2^nd 10K race and I definitely feel much better after today's finish than I did after my first 10K race 2 years ago. Comparing my races between this year and last year, even when I fall short of beating last year's times, the biggest difference this year is I feel much stronger and not as wiped out. That tells me that I am making good progress with my overall endurance training. What I need to focus on next is strength and speed.

It was a lovely morning for a race in Princeton. Overcast skies, temps in the upper 60's and a light breeze. Most of the course took the runners through the beautifully tree lined streets of Princeton, NJ and the race finished on the track at the stadium at Princeton University. With just under 387 finishers, I placed 164^th overall, putting me in the 58^th percentile which is very consistent with all of my other races this season.

Next up is the Chalfont Challenge 5K next weekend on Saturday, June 11. This will be seventh and final 5K race in this year's Bucks 5K Series.

Happy Trails Everyone!
John

Racing for the Next 3 Weekends

It must be the peak of running season as I have races scheduled over the next 3 weekends. Next week, I'll be kicking off the Memorial Day weekend by running the Doylestown Red, White and Blue 5K on Sunday, May 28 in Doylestown, PA. This has become somewhat of an annual event for me over the past couple of years. My birthday is on the 26^th of May so it generally coincides with Memorial Day and I have been making it my birthday tradition to run a 5K. Then, on June 11, I am running the Princeton Healthcare 10K in Princeton, NJ. The 10K race is one that I am not too familiar with – I've only run one 10K before and that was nearly 2 years ago. I thought it would be a good distance to include in my racing as part of my marathon training program. And then finally, on June 11, I'll be running the Chalfont Challenge 5K in my home town, Chalfont, PA! The Chalfont Challenge is the last race in the Bucks County 5K Series and I will have run 6 of the 7 races in the series this year.

Let's hope for some nicer weather back here in Pennsylvania for the next couple of weeks. It has been wet, dreary and downright miserable!

Happy Trails,
John