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Saturday, June 13, 2026

Yesterday evening I ran my first 800 meters race of the 2026 outdoor season at the East Coast Track and Field Championships in Somerset, NJ. Alison and I drove up part of the way together. It was her season opener as well. I ran a PR of 2:18.73 (a second faster than my indoor PR in March), which I'm happy about. More than anything, I'm happy because I felt great--none of the usual 800 pain that I have experienced. Plus, it wasn't a crowded field for me and my competitors (there was a group of Open athletes at the front, Mark Williams and another young guy ran 2:05). I had one guy for competition--Anselm LeBourne (he's 67--he beat me at the Bella Mile last week in 5:32; he's more of a distance runner--BUT five years ago he was #1 in the country and top in the world in the M60 800 meters! He was running 2:11/2:13, so there is a superstar still there in him!) Anyway, I stayed behind him until the last 150 meters--he ran at a great pace, I think we came through the 400 at like 1:05. He slowed a lot leading up to and especially at the 600 mark, and I should have just passed him at the beginning of the curve because I broke my pace and slowed to stay behind him (I was planning on hitting it at the last 150 mark, top of the curve). Had I just passed him naturally when I should have, I probably would have come through at least a second faster. I felt relaxed and strong down the last straightaway. Alison ran 2:29--which is great considering she is still healing (she fell on on her driveway a few weeks ago and REALLY cut up her knee). It was a good meet. It was the first time I have run at night (after 8:00 p.m.!) since high school.  

Today I was tired all day from lack of my usual sleep. But I managed to go to the gym for a three part workout (Pilates mat, leg exercises, and a nice cross training session on the cycle). Tomorrow morning is track practice at Audubon. I think we're doing a hard 500s workout. I'm going to bring my new (used) blocks and practice starts, too. 

Me cooling down after my race last night. It was warm and humid.




 

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