23 Runs(179 miles) w/AW2:Some observations.

[deeddawg]

Yep, I think one section is around 20% grade with a peak of 24%. Or so says this vid.

I'm usually trying not to hurl at that stage.

Good luck with your T-day half. If that doesn't work out for you, check RunGeorgia for other options. Locomotive Half is about two and a half weeks later.

Also watch for the Silver Comet 10K in early March, it's usually *just* in time for Peachtree registration and is a pretty flat course.

 

[Julien]

....Speaking of Peachtree - I will be going for my A group qualifying time at the T-day half in a couple of weeks. After Saturday's tempo run I'm feeling pretty good about getting it done.

Sure you know but here is timing info.

 

[Night Spring]

Sure you know but here is timing info.

Is there any practical advantage to being in the earlier waves? I know for the very elite runners, it let's them run without being bunched in among slower runners, but what about for somebody in one of the groups below, say, H? M?

 

[wx4olf]

Sure you know but here is timing info.

Yeah, I will be attempting to average 7:30 pace which is just under the 1:40:18 standard. However, that's pretty close to the limit of my fitness right now so if the weather doesn't cooperate or if I'm a little flat for the race then I will have to fall back and try a 5k or 10k. Unlike several posters in the thread I have been running solely with my Apple Watch and phone so hopefully the paces and distances I've been recording are accurate enough to make this a reasonable goal.

 

[deeddawg]

Just remember that start wave standards change year to year depending on the submitted times by race entrants.

https://dynamix-cdn.s3.amazonaws.com/atlantatrackcluborg/atlantatrackcluborg_407750646.pdf
http://dynamix-cdn.s3.amazonaws.com/atlantatrackcluborg/2406-2015_Peachtree_Start_Wave_Standards.pdf
http://viningsdownhill5k.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/2013-Peachtree-Road-Race-Time-Standards.pdf

 

[Julien]

Is there any practical advantage to being in the earlier waves? I know for the very elite runners, it let's them run without being bunched in among slower runners, but what about for somebody in one of the groups below, say, H? M?

Not sure about what is considered practical. Wave A will start at 7:30 and Wave W is closer to 9:30. Also you don't have to walk to the 'back of the line'. I'm just obsessive and want to qualify. But the biggest benefit is your bib number has an A on it.

 

[deeddawg]

Is there any practical advantage to being in the earlier waves? I know for the very elite runners, it let's them run without being bunched in among slower runners, but what about for somebody in one of the groups below, say, H? M?

Yes, definitely... but whether it matters depends on your intent in running the Peachtree. A vs B vs C isn't as big a deal as A vs M.

The race attracts a lot of very casual participants who might run a relatively small portion of the race and walk much of it. It also attracts a lot of people who jump onto the course part way through so they don't have to go the whole way. The folks can force a lot of dodging and annoyance. (I always seem to pass people wearing bibs whose time groups haven't yet started)

https://dynamix-cdn.s3.amazonaws.com/atlantatrackcluborg/atlantatrackcluborg_164399670.pdf

More importantly, the lines to the Michelob Ultra Beer Truck in the Atlanta Track Club member section are much much shorter when you're in time group A or B.
[doublepost=1478550862][/doublepost]

But the biggest benefit is your bib number has an A on it.

Yes, walking through the gates to the A/B corrals while others are turned away is pretty nice. LOL

BTW, nice Corian Sandstone counter, we have the same. I literally did a double-take and looked up the 2014 results to make sure you hadn't somehow found/posted an image of one of my old numbers.

 

[Night Spring]

Wave A will start at 7:30 and Wave W is closer to 9:30. Also you don't have to walk to the 'back of the line'.

Does that mean if you are in Wave W, you can get there later, or do you still have to be there at 7:30? (Not a morning person )

More importantly, the lines to the Michelob Ultra Beer Truck in the Atlanta Track Club member section are much much shorter when you're in time group A or B.

Now, THAT is great motivation for getting in an earlier start group!

 

[deeddawg]

Does that mean if you are in Wave W, you can get there later, or do you still have to be there at 7:30? (Not a morning person )

Last year time group W started at 9am, so in theory you could certainly sleep in a bit. I don't know how bad crowds get trying to get to the start after 7am though, so the advantage may be substantially less than it seems.

Don't get us wrong, it's still a fun experience in later time groups.

BTW, another incentive: It's always on July 4th. Not usually a cool weather day in Atlanta. That hour and a half can make a difference.

 

[James.K.Polk]

(also I'm curious, how would your life be materially different had you achieved a 39:57 PR instead of 40:07?)

As someone who has come 10 seconds from breaking 30:00 in the 10k.... Yes, it probably would be

Any updates for us, Nick, or others? Compared NRC to Strava? My old Garmin 605 just died and I couldn't resist the allure of the Apple Watch. Hoping it can serve my purposes.

 

[Long Run Nick]

As someone who has come 10 seconds from breaking 30:00 in the 10k.... Yes, it probably would be

Any updates for us, Nick, or others? Compared NRC to Strava? My old Garmin 605 just died and I couldn't resist the allure of the Apple Watch. Hoping it can serve my purposes.

Hey James, gave up on the AW2 Nike Edition for running. Sticking with my Garmin235. Love the AW as a smart watch. Don't use the circles,stand,breathe,etc,etc.
I did pick up a Stryd Power Meter for runners. Not sure what the data all means. Currently at 86,339 miles and counting.
I found after normally running about 1 1/2 hours it was taking me 2 hours to review all the data on Garmin,AW, Strava, Run Gap, Stryd, Nike, etc.
I like Smash Run but mostly go with Garmin stuff.
Hey keep fit, it works. Nick

 

[xDKP]

Actually, IMHO the real key is to figure out how much precision and/or accuracy you really need to achieve your goals. I think in today's world of easy data many people get wrapped up in it far beyond what's really needed to achieve their goals.

This!

In my 15 years as a runner, I have been running everything from 5K runs to marathons and the most important thing for me isn't military precision, but the joy of using the gear and the motivation I get through that.

I started running with an iPod nano and the Nike+ chip which almost certainly wasn't very precise. But it got me some raw stats and motivated me to run more and run faster.

The AW2 with its GPS, lovely screen and all-weather durability is the best running buddy (besides my dog) I've ever had

 

[Julien]

As someone who has come 10 seconds from breaking 30:00 in the 10k.... Yes, it probably would be ....

You ran a 30:09 10K? That is an elite runner's time. That time would be good for 11th place in this years Peachtree. Of course the Peachtree is a fairly challenging course. What race and year did you post that time? What do you run now?


EDIT: Wanted to brag that I got my estimated VO2 Max up to 55., but you are shaming me.

 

[James.K.Polk]

You ran a 30:09 10K? That is an elite runner's time. That time would be good for 11th place in this years Peachtree. Of course the Peachtree is a fairly challenging course. What race and year did you post that time? What do you run now?


EDIT: Wanted to brag that I got my estimated VO2 Max up to 55., but you are shaming me.

College, on a track. Not quite an elite time at that level, but I was (am) still very proud

 

[xDKP]

This is too good a thread to just be forgotten - More runs and experiences? And anyone with a S3?

 

[Bryan Bowler]

I’m glad this thread surfaced at the top! I just bookmarked and will be following/contributing. I’m a guy that discovered ultrarunning in 2013 and it changed my entire outlook on life. Love it!

Looking forward to more in this thread...

 

[James.K.Polk]

This is too good a thread to just be forgotten - More runs and experiences? And anyone with a S3?

Picked up an S3. First few runs have gone over well - still hate how it doesn't tell you if it's connected to GPS, but at least via RunGap I can move Apple Workouts -> Strava.

Now if only I had some quality workouts to move...

 

[xDKP]

Picked up an S3. First few runs have gone over well - still hate how it doesn't tell you if it's connected to GPS, but at least via RunGap I can move Apple Workouts -> Strava.

Now if only I had some quality workouts to move...

Yeah that whole missing GPS signal is kind of weird. Just ran my 3rd marathon in 2017 this Sunday and used the build in app (just before Nike update and Nike crashed on me on my 2nd of 2017 this September)... All in all amazing performance but would love to be able to just catch some satellites before take-off to be absolutely sure the signal is great on a day like that.

Funny thing is the route this Sunday went through a parking basement with loud music and all and it didn't really mess up my distance or anything so it must use some tricks