After trying out a handful of run clubs, I went solo for 100% of my runs for the past year. After some time off, it was time to get back with running with people who know I am running with them and not racing them on the path.
First and foremost, I just want to say how much I forgot being new, for a lack of better words, sucks. I get it, the "group" you try to break in to doesn't know you at all. Nonchalant me waltzes in, expecting the fact I have been running for a while to be enough. Or the fact that during the high-five tunnel, I was pretty far up in the totem pole since I have never run the route we did tonight so I tried to stay with people's paces so I wouldn't get lost without my phone.
And as per usual, once the jitters went away, people are nice (shocking). Now, to see if I can stick with this run group as Aaron Tang and commitments in Boston, well, there's a 3 month expiration usually.
Tuesday, May 3, 2016
Sunday, April 10, 2016
Race for Resistance 5k?
Controversy? check.
Personal issues? check.
Concert the night before? check.
Battling hamstring issues? check.
About a week before the 2nd annual race for Northeastern U's Pharmacy program, I was told by my doppelganger/ "son" that I'd be running in his place for this 5k. The previous 5k run in Cambridge about a month ago was not at full strength so I knew I'd be in the ballpark of mid 22:xx's. After some aggressive leg days, I was ready to test my hamstrings out.
As we are in the city, we Uber'ed to the Northeastern campus, near the Fens (the site of the race), as I and the students that I've worked with came to and realized who I was without scrubs on and more importantly, the students sans scrubs and dressed as, well, students.
My doppelganger would definitely not run today as the cat at the place he stayed at last night had caused everyone to question if someone had possibly farted on his face at night (oh, sophomoric humor, how I miss you). Discussing it with my doppelganger, we may have jinxed my running without throwing up streak by talking about it pre-race. Idiot son.
Under the impression the race was to start at 1pm (gotta love the late races) I was warming up earlier than what was the actual start since the course was still being mapped out at that time. I donned my bib and ran around to warm up as the day wasn't bad for a race (40s and sunny) save for the wind at times.
My coach of a "son" told me to sprint the whole race and to not lose to the dude vaping before the race in a man bun (because this is a college student race, of course). I was a bit intimidated as this was a small race made up of mostly kids a decade younger. As a small race, you can get exposed quickly and lost as well.
As we lined up, we were told right before that we were too far ahead of the starting line and that we actually had to stand in the dirt right before the path to not block any citizens walking around. The #5 finisher and I laughed at the fact we were just told to take a 90 degree left turn to start and to run two figure 8's through the Fens and a little more for the race. Even funnier? We were told if we wanna sprint this race, to head towards the front (which I was already there by accident).
Over a bullhorn: 5...4...3...2...1...
And we were off, jostling for position as the kids sporting cross country gear sped past me, friendly elbows aside. The first mile was spent making sure I stuck to a group since the path was new to me. The students that doubled as support and directions along the way were oddly great for motivation despite the peculiar pharmacy posters about antibiotics, I wasn't sure who was going to read them.
There was a group of three that I ran with then decided to make a move with #8 in all black as we would trade the lead for the better portion of mile 1 and 2. I took a left turn right in to #8 and we exchanged sorry's and kept the pace up some more. A majority of the race was spent viewing #5-#8 in the race as we ran in a long line. I tried to draft off people (mostly #8) as it was quite windy.
I started the race pretty quick and hoped the people in front of me would fade what with experience on my side.
At mile 2, I edged past #8 and the water stop around that time would help as I skipped it altogether as #8 fell back and #6 in the gray shirt fell to my pace. Without a watch, I had no real idea about pacing or distance as I just sat on #6's pace, mimicking bursts of speed and just maintaining. As we passed a building, there was probably 100 meters left as the path veered off the main sidewalk and a bullhorn and a chute of cheering students (and my doppelganger) as I held back throwing up. No finishing kick.
Initially, I was told I was in 5th place. I was just happy with the even race (and came in as the first Asian/ ahead of vape bro). Officially, 7th place at 19:55.
And gotta love the running community, #6 and #8, we all sought out each other after the race to congratulate each other and for pushing us further. Such an underrated aspect of it all, understanding what each other had to go through.
Here's the controversy...uh 19:55? no way. Felt short and without a GPS watch, I had to find out later it was really 2.9 miles. If it was actually a 5k, I'm guessing I would of been right under 21:30. Heeeee's baaaaaack. Let's hope the running gods keep me (and my hamstrings) going until October.
Hands down, the nerdiest running shirt I now have as it lists antibiotic no-no's on the back.
IG framed picture of my "son" and I will be posted shortly.
pacing...without a trusty GPS watch, I relied on the two runners that kept me in the crosshairs. The pacing was great (at least as far as I can tell without splits)
Personal issues? check.
Concert the night before? check.
Battling hamstring issues? check.
About a week before the 2nd annual race for Northeastern U's Pharmacy program, I was told by my doppelganger/ "son" that I'd be running in his place for this 5k. The previous 5k run in Cambridge about a month ago was not at full strength so I knew I'd be in the ballpark of mid 22:xx's. After some aggressive leg days, I was ready to test my hamstrings out.
As we are in the city, we Uber'ed to the Northeastern campus, near the Fens (the site of the race), as I and the students that I've worked with came to and realized who I was without scrubs on and more importantly, the students sans scrubs and dressed as, well, students.
My doppelganger would definitely not run today as the cat at the place he stayed at last night had caused everyone to question if someone had possibly farted on his face at night (oh, sophomoric humor, how I miss you). Discussing it with my doppelganger, we may have jinxed my running without throwing up streak by talking about it pre-race. Idiot son.
Under the impression the race was to start at 1pm (gotta love the late races) I was warming up earlier than what was the actual start since the course was still being mapped out at that time. I donned my bib and ran around to warm up as the day wasn't bad for a race (40s and sunny) save for the wind at times.
My coach of a "son" told me to sprint the whole race and to not lose to the dude vaping before the race in a man bun (because this is a college student race, of course). I was a bit intimidated as this was a small race made up of mostly kids a decade younger. As a small race, you can get exposed quickly and lost as well.
As we lined up, we were told right before that we were too far ahead of the starting line and that we actually had to stand in the dirt right before the path to not block any citizens walking around. The #5 finisher and I laughed at the fact we were just told to take a 90 degree left turn to start and to run two figure 8's through the Fens and a little more for the race. Even funnier? We were told if we wanna sprint this race, to head towards the front (which I was already there by accident).
Over a bullhorn: 5...4...3...2...1...
And we were off, jostling for position as the kids sporting cross country gear sped past me, friendly elbows aside. The first mile was spent making sure I stuck to a group since the path was new to me. The students that doubled as support and directions along the way were oddly great for motivation despite the peculiar pharmacy posters about antibiotics, I wasn't sure who was going to read them.
There was a group of three that I ran with then decided to make a move with #8 in all black as we would trade the lead for the better portion of mile 1 and 2. I took a left turn right in to #8 and we exchanged sorry's and kept the pace up some more. A majority of the race was spent viewing #5-#8 in the race as we ran in a long line. I tried to draft off people (mostly #8) as it was quite windy.
I started the race pretty quick and hoped the people in front of me would fade what with experience on my side.
At mile 2, I edged past #8 and the water stop around that time would help as I skipped it altogether as #8 fell back and #6 in the gray shirt fell to my pace. Without a watch, I had no real idea about pacing or distance as I just sat on #6's pace, mimicking bursts of speed and just maintaining. As we passed a building, there was probably 100 meters left as the path veered off the main sidewalk and a bullhorn and a chute of cheering students (and my doppelganger) as I held back throwing up. No finishing kick.
Initially, I was told I was in 5th place. I was just happy with the even race (and came in as the first Asian/ ahead of vape bro). Officially, 7th place at 19:55.
And gotta love the running community, #6 and #8, we all sought out each other after the race to congratulate each other and for pushing us further. Such an underrated aspect of it all, understanding what each other had to go through.
Here's the controversy...uh 19:55? no way. Felt short and without a GPS watch, I had to find out later it was really 2.9 miles. If it was actually a 5k, I'm guessing I would of been right under 21:30. Heeeee's baaaaaack. Let's hope the running gods keep me (and my hamstrings) going until October.
Notes:
I was hesitant to buy a GPS watch as most of the end of last year was spent running with hamstring issues or at the very least, a fear of re-aggravating the injury. I think I feel confident enough now to go ahead.
IG framed picture of my "son" and I will be posted shortly.
pacing...without a trusty GPS watch, I relied on the two runners that kept me in the crosshairs. The pacing was great (at least as far as I can tell without splits)
Like parties, races are more fun when I'm on the verge of up chucking apparently.
#SmallRaces4life toeing the line and starting the race as soon as possible instead of waiting, so much better
Sunday, March 13, 2016
Craicfest 5k
Am I back in shape or just back?
Excuses first: busy life, cut back on the 30 mile weeks the past 3 weeks. Left hammy and neck are off aka I'm getting older.
Packet pickup for myself and Channel and Liz Saturday at my portapotty of choice, Cambridgeside Mall. Finish Saturday with pizza and a vintage market because
Sunday: an hour thrust to the future, I gotta essentially wake up at 5 am to get ready. Hammy still on the fritz. 2 train rides on the green later and I am back in the Mall, ready to go easy/80% on my leg.
The usual bathroom line, check. The usual warm up of running down an empty Cambridge road, check. No announcement of what time it was was detrimental what without my trusty GPS watch (it is on its last legs) And with a shot we were off, plodding along as I chose to not be at the front of the pack. Dumb idea as always as the first half mile was molasses.
The route was different than the freedom run for sure as we criss crossed all near the Zakim bridge up and down hills. I, without watch and peak form, ran as evenly as I could at around a 7:30 pace. There was some jostling in the beginning mile with some skinny dude in a yellow rain jacket bumping in to me. Without my legs, I couldn't just burn this dude and had to let this guy trot along ahead.
With the effort lacking the usual (as close to) 100%, I never had the involuntary gag reflex hit me until thirty minutes after the race. At the chute, I got passed multiple times as I never hit the afterburners knowing full well I need my hamstring for the (hopeful) marathon in October.
23:13, 22:48 officially.
Chilled in the mall til the rest of the gang finished then entered the Top Notch drinking tent/ team photo/5 beers and pretzel buns/ dance party full of backpack moves.
Without a doubt, best swag ever: a Top Notch glass, Craicfest glass, Craicfest shirt which, correctly pointed out by Channel, has about everything that I love: Wu-Tang Clan, iPod, basketball, shoes, skateboarding, graffiti, and drinking. I would've bought this shirt outside of the race.
On the ride back from the race, it hit me that the B versus the C line was a generational gap in 3D. I rode the C line, as the youngest and most inebriated (at noon) as most had bought groceries and had probably grandchildren. If I was on the B line, I would be the oldest and least drunk. It was like VIP status at festivals all over again.
beat last year's 4 beer max; 5 beers, thanks Top Notch.
Excuses first: busy life, cut back on the 30 mile weeks the past 3 weeks. Left hammy and neck are off aka I'm getting older.
Packet pickup for myself and Channel and Liz Saturday at my portapotty of choice, Cambridgeside Mall. Finish Saturday with pizza and a vintage market because
Sunday: an hour thrust to the future, I gotta essentially wake up at 5 am to get ready. Hammy still on the fritz. 2 train rides on the green later and I am back in the Mall, ready to go easy/80% on my leg.
The usual bathroom line, check. The usual warm up of running down an empty Cambridge road, check. No announcement of what time it was was detrimental what without my trusty GPS watch (it is on its last legs) And with a shot we were off, plodding along as I chose to not be at the front of the pack. Dumb idea as always as the first half mile was molasses.
The route was different than the freedom run for sure as we criss crossed all near the Zakim bridge up and down hills. I, without watch and peak form, ran as evenly as I could at around a 7:30 pace. There was some jostling in the beginning mile with some skinny dude in a yellow rain jacket bumping in to me. Without my legs, I couldn't just burn this dude and had to let this guy trot along ahead.
With the effort lacking the usual (as close to) 100%, I never had the involuntary gag reflex hit me until thirty minutes after the race. At the chute, I got passed multiple times as I never hit the afterburners knowing full well I need my hamstring for the (hopeful) marathon in October.
23:13, 22:48 officially.
Chilled in the mall til the rest of the gang finished then entered the Top Notch drinking tent/ team photo/5 beers and pretzel buns/ dance party full of backpack moves.
Without a doubt, best swag ever: a Top Notch glass, Craicfest glass, Craicfest shirt which, correctly pointed out by Channel, has about everything that I love: Wu-Tang Clan, iPod, basketball, shoes, skateboarding, graffiti, and drinking. I would've bought this shirt outside of the race.
On the ride back from the race, it hit me that the B versus the C line was a generational gap in 3D. I rode the C line, as the youngest and most inebriated (at noon) as most had bought groceries and had probably grandchildren. If I was on the B line, I would be the oldest and least drunk. It was like VIP status at festivals all over again.
beat last year's 4 beer max; 5 beers, thanks Top Notch.
Monday, January 18, 2016
Friendly Rivalry
The original rivalry that started it all has re-commenced. The start of my born-again running life began when a foot race to the old elementary school and back left me gassed and last to my sister. So it begins again. As baby sister gets ready to run a marathon, I too need to get back in to marathon shape. Let's see what 30-year old Tang can do.
Saturday, November 28, 2015
Trot Off Your Turkey 5k
This was to be my first race since ... May? Dang. Naturally, I was volun-told to run (how many races have I voluntarily signed up for?) Due to a step back in mileage this year from hamstring issues, going in to this drizzly race initiated my bowels to grumble out of sheer nerves. My mindset flip-flopped between just going out easy and testing what I had left. Earlier in the week, I tested the wheels out and was around a 7 minute mile pace on the treadmill for half-mile bursts. I think 7:15-7:30 was my goal. With no fan fare, there was one guy going King Leonidas on everyone to pump up the 5k group. We had chilled around the starting line with ten other runners for most of the beginning, thinking this would be a much larger race. Then the hoard of runners came ten minutes before the race, everyone saying hi to everyone since it's Rhode Island and everyone is related.
With no gun or a countdown, a horn honked and we all hit our watches on the official chip reader. Of course the beginning was a bunch of jostling for position until the inevitable sidewalk sprinting happened to get free.
Split down the middle in terms of either going easy or pushing it, I ran the first mile around 7:15 feeling decent. At least this wasn't a half marathon kept running through my mind to relax myself.
There were a bunch of little kids I used to pace myself; those kids are fast, man.
The course wasn't hilly at all with only a couple turns to maneuver through. There was one water station mid way but I figured it's just a 5k, keep turning.
The last kilometer. Like usual, I tried to push the gas pedal but the body wasn't willing. I made a "move" around the last quarter mile, died in the stretch without the extra gear to go on.
Overall, pretty pleased with a smart race as I ran around the 7:15-7:30 range. When I saw my watch dipping towards 7:00, backed off knowing that would not happen. Today.
First race in the new age bracket:
30-39...woah. Looks weird, doesn't it?
Corn chowder. Donuts. Pizza.
There are three things you can count on; death, taxes, and Chris Magill at a 5k race in Rhode Island.
Consistent weight lifting, a loose term for what I do in the gym, definitely helped pull me forward towards the end of the race.
Leg days definitely helped, too.
Thursday, August 13, 2015
Have you seen Aaron Tang (running)?
Well, I have fallen off the face of the running Earth for the past month and have irregularly run. With that and a hamstring problem, Marine Corp has been deferred. Today, I ran outside for the first time in a while. What have I learned? DON'T TAKE AN EXTENDED BREAK. Plodding through mud, having one gear. It's like starting all over. Time to get back to work.
Sunday, June 7, 2015
Freedom Run 5k
Post-Tang's own version of what I'd assume was the plot of "Eat, Pray, Love", what they (theoretically) don't tell you is that upon return to reality, running again will be tough. After the half marathon that I half-assed, (side note about that "race": high fives all around from cops and kids in super hero costumes, ran on the second wave like an idiot, playlist chalk full of Boston Calling acts because, I ran it in between the festival: run the jewels, st. vincent, beck, tame impala's "elephant" on repeat for the last mile), the 5k was another gauge to see how far off I had fallen since my two month Epicurean sabbatical.
Still following me?
Of course an 8 day stretch from Hell appeared before this race and personally something came up the night before at the Sox game; par for the course at this point.
So for the first time I would pick my bib up on race day like a rookie at the Cambridge Mall which would be critical in the fact there was a water fountain and bathrooms of the non-portapotty variety. Friends were met up with, time to warm up for a mile. With 10 minutes to go, the announcer let us know that massive American flag was the split between, I kid you not, "fast runners", and "slow runners". I naturally sat in the middle. It actually worked better than corrals.
With the anthem, all of us shadowed by the flag looked up with our hands over our hearts. The first mile, with people actually obeying the fast versus slow pace, went smoothly. All I can remember is this runner making a wide curve around someone to just get ahead by one person. I made it a point to not lose to him and with my veteran savvy, know that the first mile and a half is fool's gold. Hang on and the runners fade.
How do I know this? Like always, at mile 2 I faded. Maybe if I tell myself to run hard for four miles, I wouldn't have this issue. I also started the dry heaves way earlier than usual at the beginning of mile 2 so I slowed a bit. Like always, I sped up at the last tenth of a mile and passed three people.
21:55.
Pasta from CPK and 4 beers later, ran a 4 miler home and here we are as I type.
It was definitely nice to know my race course ahead of time from previous excursions and to know how to get there with the T (even directing a kid how to use it)...slowly turning in to a Bostonian?
Still following me?
Of course an 8 day stretch from Hell appeared before this race and personally something came up the night before at the Sox game; par for the course at this point.
So for the first time I would pick my bib up on race day like a rookie at the Cambridge Mall which would be critical in the fact there was a water fountain and bathrooms of the non-portapotty variety. Friends were met up with, time to warm up for a mile. With 10 minutes to go, the announcer let us know that massive American flag was the split between, I kid you not, "fast runners", and "slow runners". I naturally sat in the middle. It actually worked better than corrals.
With the anthem, all of us shadowed by the flag looked up with our hands over our hearts. The first mile, with people actually obeying the fast versus slow pace, went smoothly. All I can remember is this runner making a wide curve around someone to just get ahead by one person. I made it a point to not lose to him and with my veteran savvy, know that the first mile and a half is fool's gold. Hang on and the runners fade.
How do I know this? Like always, at mile 2 I faded. Maybe if I tell myself to run hard for four miles, I wouldn't have this issue. I also started the dry heaves way earlier than usual at the beginning of mile 2 so I slowed a bit. Like always, I sped up at the last tenth of a mile and passed three people.
21:55.
Pasta from CPK and 4 beers later, ran a 4 miler home and here we are as I type.
It was definitely nice to know my race course ahead of time from previous excursions and to know how to get there with the T (even directing a kid how to use it)...slowly turning in to a Bostonian?
Freedom Run 5k
After Tang's own version of "Eat, Pray, Love" (or what I assume was the plot of the movie) through Brussels, Amsterdam, Antwerp, Portland, NYC, Baltimore, DC, and a Boston Music Festival (which a half marathon that was half assed was wedged in the middle, stuck in second wave of runners hell, full of high fives from Boston's finest, kids in super hero costumes, a playlist full of Run the Jewels, St. Vincent, Beck, Tame Impala's "Elephant" for the last mile"), the movie poster (theoretically) failed to mention a two month Epicurean sabbatical would result in slower run times.
Still with me?
So a chance to redeem myself of course would happen after an 8 day roll out of a new system at work that was SAVAGE. Thank God the race as at 9:30, so I could mosey to the T
Still with me?
So a chance to redeem myself of course would happen after an 8 day roll out of a new system at work that was SAVAGE. Thank God the race as at 9:30, so I could mosey to the T
Sunday, April 5, 2015
Jetlagged, cold/flu like symptoms, feeling great
With Europe and sickness swiss-cheesing my lofty forty miles a week pipe dream, I headed home to Barrington to visit Pops. Originally planning on a 7 miler and 8 miler to get up to thirty miles for the week, I still felt the effects of it all and passed out. Slumbered hard until noon the next day and finally went for a run. A little over two miles in to it, I felt better, loose, and with headphones blaring I ran in the direction of an older lady with sunglasses and a big overcoat on talking to me. I removed my headphones and she just repeats "you make it look so easy! (pause) but it isn't".
That made my week.
I felt sluggish but after that, picked it up and just kept chugging along, seeing strangers waving and smiling (this isn't Boston) and again, it is all the perspective and mind set that you set out the door with. I originally was going to feel out the run and see how far I could get. With that encouraging sentence from a complete stranger, I felt I was on the hook for ten miles, smiling the whole way, feeling energetic.
That made my week.
I felt sluggish but after that, picked it up and just kept chugging along, seeing strangers waving and smiling (this isn't Boston) and again, it is all the perspective and mind set that you set out the door with. I originally was going to feel out the run and see how far I could get. With that encouraging sentence from a complete stranger, I felt I was on the hook for ten miles, smiling the whole way, feeling energetic.
Saturday, March 28, 2015
Running abroad
After a week in Europe, I noticed some runner-related things:
1) cambered roads=ITB problems. If I ran there for more than a week, I'd need a foam roller
2) runners here seemed slower, probably due to observation 1.
And I accidentally signed up for the Marine Corp Marathon...numero three, three years later.
1) cambered roads=ITB problems. If I ran there for more than a week, I'd need a foam roller
2) runners here seemed slower, probably due to observation 1.
And I accidentally signed up for the Marine Corp Marathon...numero three, three years later.
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