My Running Log

Dana Point (CA) Turkey Trot

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Location:

Lehi,UT,USA

Member Since:

Jan 01, 2009

Gender:

Male

Goal Type:

Other

Running Accomplishments:

Personal bests since 2009:

  • 5K - 18:31 (Freedom Run, 2021)
  • 10K - 38:52 (Dana Point, 2009)
  • Half marathon - 1:25:54 (SLC, 2012)
  • Marathon - 3:02:40 (St. George, 2009)

Short-Term Running Goals:

  • Break 3:00 in a marathon
  • Run at least 5 days a week

Long-Term Running Goals:

  • Lifetime fitness
  • Run the Boston Marathon
  • Do an Ironman triathlon (someday)

Favorite Blogs:

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Miles:This week: 0.00 Month: 0.00 Year: 0.00
Air Pegasus 25 Lifetime Miles: 1220.37
Asics Equation 2 Lifetime Miles: 1198.81
Asics Blue And Silver Lifetime Miles: 930.43
Pearl Izumi Orange Streaks Lifetime Miles: 194.77
Treadmill Lifetime Miles: 2381.47
New Balance 690 Lifetime Miles: 313.68
New Balance 310 Lifetime Miles: 1120.96
Race: Dana Point (CA) Turkey Trot (6.21 Miles) 00:38:52, Place overall: 64, Place in age division: 6
Easy MilesThreshold MilesMarathon Pace MilesTrack speed mileageHill mileageTotal
3.796.210.000.000.0010.00

This morning I got up and ran the Turkey Trot in Dana Point, CA. We were down here for Thanksgiving. This race is a pretty big deal. The course is USATF certified, and it has over 4,000 runners. There were more than 10,000 runners total if you include the 5K. It runs around the Dana Point Harbor, so you run about as close as you can get to sea level. It had some minor hills (going over a small bridge). The weather was absolutely beautiful. So was the scenery.

I went in with the goal to break 40:00. I had hoped to do that earlier this year but didn't even come close. But I felt really confident this time. I lined up about 200-300 people back because I hate to crowd people. But that was a mistake because I had to run around a lot of people in the first mile. But no big deal. I was trying to stay as close as I could to 6:00 pace for the first 3 miles and take it from there. Well, it worked out pretty well. My average pace was 6:15. That's great because 6:00 pace used to seem really scary and impossible. Now I feel like I can handle it better.

One of the cool things about this race was that I competed against some other runners along the way. We kept trying to pass each other, and that kept us going. In the end, I had a small mental victory by holding them off at the end. Except a little kid that looked like he was 10 (was really 13). Sort of embarrassing, but my chip time was faster than his. :)

This race showed me that I can go under 40. It also was encouraging because even though I gave it my best effort, I know I can keep going faster. I also admit that I liked the fact that I placed 64th out of 4000 runners. That means I beat about 1 out of every 62 runners. Not that I care that much about competing with them. Just that maybe I have some talent for this after all.

Anyway, I'd love to do some more races like this.

Oh, my Garmin showed it was 6.33 miles. I must not have hit the tangents well. 

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! 

Air Pegasus 25 Miles: 10.00
Weight: 0.00
Comments
From Runner Adam on Thu, Nov 26, 2009 at 19:37:30 from 64.203.55.70

Congratulations. I ran the race too. Dont worry - my Garmin said 6.33 miles as well. It was all that weaving in mile 1 that added distance.

From redrooster on Thu, Nov 26, 2009 at 21:21:35 from 71.219.145.201

you smoked that course Steve, great job, awesome time! have a great thanksgiving!

From Dustin on Thu, Nov 26, 2009 at 21:35:56 from 209.33.192.10

Great job Steve. That is an Awesome time. You've done a great job getting back into shape. Hope you are having an enjoyable time in California.

From Dave S on Fri, Nov 27, 2009 at 12:35:19 from 4.254.224.78

Nice job on the race and great time. You blew that 40 min goal right out of the water.

From Burt on Fri, Nov 27, 2009 at 21:01:18 from 98.177.216.165

STEVE!! Great job! I saw your time and your place and I was surprised. That would win most 10k's I do. But 4000 runners? That puts you in the top 2%. I was going to say maybe all that running around people in the first mile caused the extra running. But Adam said it, so I won't.

From Steve Piccolo on Sat, Nov 28, 2009 at 00:11:03 from 68.5.117.163

Thanks guys! It was fun. The thing I was most surprised about was my placing in my age group. I'm used to placing a lot lower. Now if I can just run half as well as the red rooster, I'll be even better.

From redrooster on Sat, Nov 28, 2009 at 17:25:22 from 71.219.145.201

Steve, you are well on your way to passing me, by the time of DN 10K you will be faster than me for sure!

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