Dexter-Ann Arbor: 13.1 Miles

I have successfully completed my first half-marathon race. Let me tell you, 13.1 miles is quite different than racing a 10k. I went into this race with a goal of 90 minutes (6:52 pace); I finished with a time of 1:23:08 (6:21 pace). Planning to run the first 10k at an easy pace of 6:52 and picking it up from there is apparently more difficult for me to do than run ~6:10 pace consistently, which is what happened for miles 1-9. This impressive time earned me 48th overall (of 2500) and 2nd in the 18-19 age group. I'm two for two in "Dexter-Ann Arbor Award Winner" mugs, placing 1st in my age group of last year's 10k (4th overall, 37:47).

I look forward to running more half, possibly even full, marathons. About 150 miles prepared me for this race. This is a fair amount for one month, but I definitely could have prepared more. Longer runs and being more comfortable with a slightly faster pace would definitely of helped. Still, it's better than Jack Dean's 2 week preparation. By the way, this was his first race ever.

Results:
http://tinyurl.com/og5p6x

Time: Pace: Overall: Sex Place: Age Place:
1:23:08 6:21 48 / 2500 40th 2nd

Splits:
Mile: Time:
1 6:11
2 6:06
3 6:13
4 6:11
5 6:08
6 6:08
7 6:09
8 6:16
9 6:17
10 6:31
11 6:42
12 6:41
13.1 7:35

Carter Sherman Runs a 4:47 Mile

Congratulations to Carter Sherman! My younger brother, currently a Junior in high school, ran a 4 minute and 47 second mile. Amazing! The time and place were perfect. By setting a new PR, Carter set the tone for this Summer's training. This great result landed him 5th place in the Mega Red league meet; his brother placed 8th his Senior year. My fastest mile is a 4:52. Great Job Carter!

Dexter-Ann Arbor Run 2009

This year I (along with housemate Jack Dean) have signed up to compete in the REAL Dexter-Ann Arbor Race -- the Half-Marathon. Being my first 13.1 mile race, I still haven't set a goal time; hopefully my goal of 700 miles this Summer will prepare me.

The Half Marathon is the main event on May 31st. The route is 13.1 miles of scenery on winding Huron River Drive with the finish in Downtown Ann Arbor.

Last year I ran the 10k, placing 4th overall with a time of 37:47 (6:05 pace).

Sunrise on Sunset

A lot of people wake up early on St. Patrick's Day to experience a green beer...or two...or twenty.  Wallstreet (aka Jack Dean) and I were part of this dedicated crowd, but for a different reason: a 7am run up the grueling Sunset Rd hill.

With alarms set for 7am sharp (to prevent any ideas of hitting snooze), we arose, ready to go; a somewhat weird phenomenon, as we seem to have trouble waking up for 11am Differential Equations.  We departed with the sun still down, traveling westbound on Fuller amongst commuters heading for work.  From Fuller we climbed Sunset Rd to Hunt Park where we stopped to take a snapshot of the Ann Arbor skyline with a rising sun in the background.  After our quick rest we headed south on Newport Rd to Miller Ave, heading downtown.  Eventually reaching Couzens Hall, we were greeted with a warm shower and a sleepy Rob Schutt.

The pace was slow and relaxed; an 8km (5 miles) run in a leisurely 37' 16".

First Run of the Season, Mate

Sir Jack Dean and I ran a 6.4km run today in a respectable time of 29:28.
It started with "Where you at man. I want to run! Its warm enough" as I received a text message while walking out of the Chemical Engineering building today at 4:09PM. Look for us on the streets...we'll be there.

Detroit Turkey Trot 2008 - 27 second PR

Place Oall No. Name City Sta Ag Split Time Pace
7 42 2747 Zane Sherman Belleville MI 19 18:06 36:15 5:50

http://www.runmichigan.com/results/full.php/2008/11/27/2008-detroit-turkey-trot.html

A 27 second personal record and seventh place in the 15-19 age group for Steven 'Zane' Sherman.

Although I finished 33rd last year, I was still rewarded with a better time. A record turnout (over 11,000 people) added to the already fierce competition. I think the time could have been better, possibly under 36 minutes. Carter and I started a little late and found ourselves stuck between packs of middle-aged women joggers and men looking for their athleticism, only to find a receding hairline and aching shins. The first mile was slowed down from the congestion and scurry to get around people.

Remember though, 36:15 was my actual time for the 10k, all races use a timing chip that does not start the runner's time until they cross the actual start line (11,000 people take up a lot of space). Both races this year used a new disposable chip, the ChronoTrack 'D'-Tag, to save a lot of time and congestion at the finish line.

As mentioned before, this year's race (26th annual) set a record turnout: "About 11,000 people registered for this year’s race, exceeding last year’s total by about 1,200 runners," said Jack Riley, senior vice president of Fifth Third Bank, the event’s main sponsor. “And I would bet that another thousand runners didn’t get here in time to register and so they just ran the race.”

Pictures:

Rounding a corner with legs of steel:
http://www.runmichigan.com/photogallery/08/turkeytrot112708me_window.php?157



Playing catch-up with poor form.
http://www.runmichigan.com/photogallery/08/turkeytrot112708dm_window.php?193

Pretty tired.
http://www.runmichigan.com/photogallery/08/turkeytrot112708dm_window.php?192


http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200881127030

Waiting for Results

I'm still waiting for the Detroit Turkey Trot results. This year's race had well over 10,000 entrants (Turkey Trot/Stuffing Strut combined): “I ordered 10,000 shirts and we’re already out!” exclaimed Race Director Doug Kurtis, adding that last year’s race was thousands of runners bigger than the year before.

For everyone checking in on the Don Sherman exclusive coverage:
"I felt good. I'm confident in my ability as a part-time runner with the natural ability to avoid large crowds. All of those times rushing through the airport really helped. I ran about 14 minutes...piece of cake."
--Don Sherman, just after Mashed Potatoe Mile

Thanks for support from: Don and Cheryl Sherman, Carter Sherman, The Lytle Family, the fine people at Automobile Magazine, Jack Dean (big time), all dormmates (Rob Scutt, Edwin "MacGowna" Huicochea, Blaine Sims, Areej Sami, Heather Erdman, etc.),all Belleville Friends, Tracy Lytle, cool cars like the Audi R8 (Jean and Marc), Porsche 911, and Acura NSX, Kathie and Jan Lane, the Devore Family, Mr. Medley, and anyone else who I have forgotten.

Results up soon.