FSRC Resolution Run #2

x

x online presents 

x

FSRC RESOLUTION RUN #2

[

By Karl Johnson
with photos by Bruce Fisher

2/7/26 – Steilacoom

The day started out hopeful as we left Kent just before dawn. We were watching the sunrise over the Cascades, filling the sky with purple, orange, red and pink. It was promising to be a great day for a race. As we got to Tacoma, though, that promise quickly faded as raindrops began hitting the windshield. The closer we got to Steilacoom, the harder it was raining. The weather reports started talking about an “atmospheric river.” I missed the last one in December. Now I was going to be running in one.

A couple people mentioned that the course “felt long.” I noticed this, too, as I turned the corner by the dog park onto a long straightaway that seemed to go on forever. The course was accurately measured, though. I think the feeling was mostly coming from running in the rain and wondering if it would ever stop. There were, in the words of the race director, a thousand cones on the course directing the path. Although I must admit to running along the outsides of the cones at the muddy parts to avoid slipping. I had a bad experience slipping in wet grass a month ago and did not want to repeat that so I sought out the “path less trodden.”

This was the second run in the series, the first for me. They had 5k, 10k and 15k options, which were one lap, two laps or three laps. Everyone started at once and then stopped once they completed their chosen distance. There were 193 runners in all three distances, of which 75 (39%) were Silver Striders.

The top male and female Silver Striders in the 5k were Chris Fisher and Tina Miller. The top male and female Silver Striders in the 10k were Ben Sauvage and Michelle Denully. The top male and female Silver Striders in the 15k were Chad Marsh and Jill Ramsey Hayes.

We had a good turnout for the Camaraderie Brunch afterwards at Burs Restaurant and Lounge. Jerry had a few trophies to give out as well as Ambassador pins. Lots of lively conversation as we discussed upcoming races, training regimens, and tales of our misspent youth.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Race Results in photos by Bruce Fisher

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Jerry’s notes: Getting dehydrated in the rain is weird. I got dehydrated in the rain on Saturday at the Reso 5k and had to drink water immediately upon finishing. No staggers but some facial paralysis affecting my speech which lasted about a half an hour after finishing. My worst case of dehydration was at the Run Scared last October. Nasty, rainy weather at Seward Park. I had bad staggers the last half mile walking the 5k.

Currently, I was lucky on Sunday (the next day following the Resolution#2). I was turned away from the My Better Half 5k. They were sold out. It was foolish to consider doing 2 races on the same weekend with the high humidity. 
Ideal conditions are found by adding the humidity to the air temperature. 80 to 100 is ideal. 130 or above is dangerous and you should slow your pace or better yet, don’t run.

To understand the impact of humidity on your running performance, use the following points as a guideline:
– High humidity can increase sweat production, affecting hydration level.
– It may impair the body’s ability to cool down, leading to overheating.
– Humid conditions cause fatigue to set in more quickly.
– Breathing can be more difficult with high humidity.
– Runners need to adjust their pace to accommodate the stress of humidity.
– Proper hydration is critical in humid conditions.

My problem was, I didn’t drink enough water before the race since it was raining. Also, I didn’t drink at aid stations because there weren’t any. The water was at the start/finish line, which is fine if the humidity and temp is under 120. I noticed that most of the runners doing the 10k ran right past the water station at 5k. That meant they ran a 10k in the rain without water.

We need to know our limitations. That’s why I discourage marathons after age 65. The 5 1/2 or 6 hour marathon with lots of walking is probably okay, but I don’t recommend it. All my marathons were under 4 hours and 90% were under 3:30. My last one at age 60 was 3:39 and at that time I was still breaking 20 mins for 5k. Back then, any walking during a marathon was considered a defeat. My last Half was at age 75 was a  2:17. It included some forced walking breaks toward the end. That effort prompted me to discontinue half marathons. Currently, I should not tace in the rain. It’s dangerous and there are no health benefits.
“A man has got to know his limitations”….Clint Eastwood.