Beach to Beacon 10k & Training

Beach to Beacon has to be hands down the coolest race that I was at that I did not participate in. For starters we drive up the Friday before and meet with a host family when we arrive. At this race instead of putting elite runners in a hotel they have them stay with a local family for the weekend. That was really neat. The family we got paired up with was an Italian family that comes from Long Island, small world. Anyway the family pretty much acted like our slaves for the weekend. We didn't ask them to but they were always asking what can they do to help Leo with her race.

Race morning comes the alarm sounds at 5 AM, the race gun goes off at 8 AM. Leo likes to be up at least 3 hours prior to her race so she can eat a nice meal and relax a little bit. The elite athletes were asked to be at the Elite tent near the starting line around 7AM for final instructions and all that good stuff.

We dropped Leo of at that tent at 6:55 AM and then headed to the finish line area. Since Leo was an elite runner we had VIP passes that gave us parking near the finish, our own bleachers to watch the finish and our own breakfast buffet of bagels, rolls, doughnuts and refreshments.

While waiting at the finish area for Leo to come running down the final stretch was killing me, I was also very anxious. I knew that she was in very good shape and could run a fast time. Here is a video of all the finishers from the Male winner down to about 34:30. Leo ran 33:25 (5:23 per mile pace)



Once the race was over there was a sense of relief. Leo finished 5th overall winning $1,000 and beating Catherine Ndereba. There was an awards ceremony then a big party for all the elite runners and the volunteers. The Beach to Beacon 10k was such a cool experience I would recommend it to anyone.

Beach to Beacon Results
Beach to Beacon Photos
Beach2beacon.org

Training the Last 2 Weeks

Camp Week

Monday August 2nd - 10 miles on a grass loop.
Tuesday - AM 40 minutes PM 8 miles with a fartlek of 2:30 on 60 off 60 on 2 min off 5x.
Wednesday - AM 3 PM 7
Thursday - 8 miles on the hilly roads PM 7 miles with cut down hill repeats.
Friday - AM 6 miles PM 4 miles
Saturday - AM watch B2B PM 9 miles
Sunday - 17 miles over the B2B course 2x with add ons.

Week Total - 85 YTD Miles -2291

Back Home

Monday August 9th - AM 5 PM 9 miles, nice shakeout runs.
Tuesday - 10 mile cut down - 1st 3 @7min Middle 4 @6:17 Last 3 @5:45, solid work.
Wednesday - easy 12 miles run
Thursday - AM 5 PM 9 miles with the Saucony Group Run @ SRC
Friday - WO w/ Leo 10 miles with 8 x 2 minute (90 sec) fartlek, another solid work load.
Saturday - AM & PM 5 mile recovery plods.
Sunday - 2 hour run at Connetquot closing the few fast, about 17 miles.

Week Total - 87 YTD Miles - 2378

My legs are getting used to the heavy miles and I am really enjoying it, WEIRDO! I am looking to hope in some races here and there. I will keep you guys posted.