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Chris and Dawn Schur's

Updated 2/2/12

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At the starting line - the view from
coral 3 for the PF Chang Full Marathon



      
 Upcoming Runs - We have signed up for:


      
2012
Feb 4 - Sedona 10k
Feb 19 - Lost Dutchman Full Marathon
March 3 - Phoenix Half Marathon
April 21 - BM Half Marathon
May 5 - Whiskey Row Marathon
June - The San Diego Full Marathon
    
 About The Authors       

      
Race Personal Records
Total Races Since 2006: Chris - 58, Dawn - 20

Chris  PR's: (50 - 54 Div)
Half Marathons - 32 races (PR: 1:45)
Full Marathons - 16 races (PR: 4:10)

Dawn  PR's: (50 - 54 Div)
5k -  7 races (PR: 42 mins)
8K - 2 races (PR: 1:10)
10k -  9 races (PR: 1:30)
Half Marathons - 2 races (PR: 3:32)
Progressive Marathon - 1 Race

Here are are ALL our times in a table


2012

 

      

The GPS data from the run
Click to  Enlarge

 As marathons go, this one is
fairly flat, but has a total
elevation change around
700 feet from start to peak
at mid race.  This wears you 
down in the beginning so beware!

      


            

The  Arizona Rock and Roll
PF Chang Marathon
Phoenix, Arizona
Sunday January 15th,  2012
            

            
  
 
Finishers Medal


      

The T Shirt
Click to  Enlarge



      
Introduction

      
This
      years PF Chang Rock and Roll Marathon and Half was different
      in many ways, but with nearly ideal temperatures throughout the
      race and mild winds, was my fastest full marathon I've done yet,
      inching within striking distance now of my eventual goal of breaking
      4 hours. The rains held off for the race, and while I was racing,
      Dawn worked the Half Marathon aid stations along the route. We
      both had a great time (Ok, that last mile was a killer!) and
      will certainly do this event every year from now on.



      The
      Expo:



      We left Friday at noon from work to attend the Expo at the Phoenix
      Convention Center. There I picked up my race packet, shirt and
      timing chip. A lot less people attend on Friday and it was very
      nice to be able to go booth to booth without the crowds. No big
      purchases this year, just kept up on the latest racing stuff
      and info. 



      Race
      Morning / Before the Race



      Race start was 7:30 am in the center of Phoenix, with the marathon
      route totally separated from the Half. This made for a lot less
      crowded starting line corrals, but still it was jam packed with
      tens of thousands of marathoners. This year, I was placed in
      corral 3, much closer to the start because of my estimated finishing
      time was far less than todays average marathon time of 4:35.
      Dawn dropped me off at 4:30 at the starting area, and it was
      still pretty empty, with hundreds of support personnel getting
      everything ready for the runners. Around 5:30 is when the runners
      started showing up on the light rail, they were smart enough
      to get to the rail station early, and not wait till the last
      minute like many did, holding up the race. 



      At
      the starting line



      Finally, at nearly 8am, we lined up at the starting lines and
      were ready for the race to start! It was cloudy, but not raining
      and a perfect 51 degrees. My goal on this one was to see how
      far I could hold a 9:00 and a 9:10 pace. Thats the 4 hour marathon
      pace. When I got to my position in the corral, I looked up and
      saw David Bluestien and his wife about six feet in front of me!
      We could barely talk the music was so loud. I didn't see anyone
      else I knew, but thats whats great about big races, everyone
      in your coral trains like you, and all have similar goals. It
      is like we are one big super fit family! 



      Running
      the Marathon



      When the air horns went off, we were part of the very first group
      after the elites to cross the line. We started off fast, I held
      back to my pace while others ran way too fast past. I passed
      them later on. The scenery along the route went from old buildings,
      to new complexes and a few housing developments. Since it was
      primarily along main streets, the it was more city scape and
      less rural like some of the other rock and roll marathons I've
      been on. But I was in it to do a PR on a somewhat flat course.
      The new course was more up hill than I liked - nearly 700 feet
      elevation change, but nothing severe like lost Dutchman! Plenty
      of crowd support since it was along main avenues. You cant really
      see the final finishing area until your right on it in the last
      mile or so, and the bridge over the Tempe town lake was a very
      welcome sight. When I came over the line in 4:10 I knew that
      with a bit more work I was destined to break that 4 hours soon.
      A very hard run, and worth nearly every fun mile! The finishers
      medal is really different from last years, and a nice addition
      to my marathon collection. 



      At
      the Finish Line



      After I came over the line and recovered a bit, I called Dawn
      and we met up on the west end of the finishing area. We walked
      around a bit to keep my legs from seizing up and as we left,
      the rain started to sprinkle. it rained all the rest of the day
      and especially in Payson through Monday. 



      Notes for Next Year:

      
- More
      long runs to get that last few mile in easier

      
- Drop
      off at start was a great idea!

      
- Can
      be half a hour later on drop off

Before the Race
 

      

The Expo at the Phoenix convention
center

      

Entering the Convention Center 
to attend the Expo on Friday

      
T
Walking into the Convention Expo
much less crowded on Friday!



      

Race packet pickup, thats me in green!

      

Picking up the race tee...

      

Inside the Expo



      

Tons of stuff for sale

      

Sunday Morning getting briefed
for the Aide station detail (Dawn)

      

Aid station briefing



      

Still dark out, waiting for the first
light of day

      

Race coral detail - keeping them in line

      

At the starting line for the half
Dawn has racer crowd control in 
the coral.  Here the light rail is
dropping off more runners


Race Start - During the Race
(Stealth Cam)
 

      

Here I am at the starting area for the
marathon, brand new location this year!

      

The runners start to gather as the first
light of dawn appear

      

In my corral - 3 which is much nearer to the
starting line 



      

David Bluestien and his wife in coral
3

      

The race is started! my corals projected finish
time is around 3:50 to 4h.

      

The first aid station



      

Heading directly toward Camel back
Mountain

      

The rural part of the race

      

Cheering squad



      

Heading toward the city of Scottsdale

      

Toward Camel back

      

Aid station 




      

Cups everywhere!

      

Down into 5th avenue shops in
down town Scottsdale

      

Passing half way point now heading out
of Scottsdale toward Tempe



      

Heading into Tempe - the final few miles

      

The last few miles is always a killer!



Finish Line Photos/After the Race
 

      

Dawn is waiting at the finish line - 
Thousands of bananas!

      

Waiting for the runners to come in at
the finishing area

      

Dressed to kill...



      

Finish line shot under the 
solar array at the university stadium

      

Dawn at the finishing area after her
long day working the aide stations and
helping the runners!



     
2011 Runs Page HERE
Includes the following:

The Fiesta Bowl
Half Marathon
Scottsdale, Arizona
Sunday December 4th,  2011

The Denver Rock and 
Roll Marathon Event
Denver, Colorado
Sunday October 8th,  2011

The Groom Creek Classic Half/10k
Groom Creek, Arizona
October 24, 2011

The Big Brother Big Sister Half/10k
Flagstaff, Arizona
August 13,  2011

The San Francisco Marathon
Full and Progressive Events
San Francisco, Ca
July 30,  2011

Gaspin in the Aspens
15k and 5k Trail Events
Flagstaff, Az
June 18th,  2011

The San Diego Dodge
Rock and Roll Marathon
San Diego, California
June 5th,  2011

The Prescott Whiskey Row
 Marathon, Half & 10k
Prescott, Arizona
May 14th,  2011

The Brian Mickelson
 Half Marathon & 10k
Riverfront Park in Cottonwood, Az
April 16th,  2011

Run for Ryans House Half
 Marathon & 10k
March 5th, 2011

The Lost Dutchman
Full Marathon/10k
February 20th,  2011

The PF Chang 
Arizona Rock and Roll
Half Marathon
January 16th,  2011

2010 Runs Page HERE

Includes the following:
The Fiesta Bowl
Half Marathon
December 5th,  2010

The San Antonio Marathon
Full and Half Events
November 14th,  2010

The Flagstaff Half Marathon
Flagstaff, Arizona
September 25, 2010

The BBBS Half Marathon
Flagstaff, Arizona
August 14th, 2010

Gaspin in the Aspens
6/19/10

The San Diego Marathon
June 6th, 2010

The Whiskey Row Full Marathon
Marathon, Half, 10k, 2mi
May 1st, 2010

Brian Mickelsen Half Marathon
Half Marathon & 10k
April 17th, 2010

Run for Ryans House Half Marathon & 5k
March 6th, 2010

The Lost Dutchman 
Full Marathon - February 14th, 2010

The Sedona Half Marathon - February 6th, 2010

PF Chang Rock and Roll Half Marathon - Jan 17, 2010

The Fiesta Bowl Half Marathon
Scottsdale, Arizona - December 6th,  2009

San Antonio Marathon
San Antonio, Texas
November 15,  2009

Rim to Rim  Run
Across the Grand Canyon, Arizona
October 2, 2009

The Flagstaff Half Marathon
Flagstaff Nordic Center
September 26th,  2009

The BBBS Half Marathon
Flagstaff, Arizona
August 8th, 2009

The Gold Coast Marathon
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
July 5th, 2009
   
Gaspin in the Aspens
Flagstaff Nordic Center, Arizona
June 20, 2009

Circle the Peak
Payson, Arizona
June 6, 2009
Trail Run/Walk by Dawn

The San Diego
 Marathon
San Diego, California
May 31st, 2009

Rim to Rim Run
Across the Grand Canyon
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
May 15nd, 2009

The Whiskey Row
Half Marathon
Prescott, Arizona
May 2nd, 2009

The Brian Mickelson
Half Marathon
Riverfront Park in Cottonwood, Az
April 18th, 2009

The St. Patties Day
8k and 1 mile fun Run
At Kiwanis Park, Tempe
March 15th, 2009

The Lost Dutchman Marathon
Apache Junction, Az
February 15th, 2009

The Sedona
Half Marathon
February 7th, 2009

The San Antonio Marathon
San Antonio, Texas
November 16th, 2008

The Bisbee 1000
Bisbee, Arizona
October 18th, 2008

The Rim Challenge Half Marathon
Payson, Arizona
October 4th, 2008

Flagstaff Half Marathon
Flagstaff, Arizona
September 27th, 2008

Big Brothers Big Sisters Half Marathon
Flagstaff, Arizona
August 9th, 2008

Huffin & Puffin 8 mile Race
Payson, Arizona
July 12, 2008

Gaspin in The Aspens
June 21, 2008

Rim to Rim Grand Canyon Run
May 18, 2008

The San Diego Marathon
San Diego, CA
June 1, 2008

The Whiskey Row Half Marathon
Prescott, Az
May 3rd, 2008

The Lost Dutchman Half Marathon
February 17th, 2008

The Sedona Half Marathon
February 9th, 2008

 2007 Runs Page

Includes the following:

Rails to Trails Run, Prescott Az.
November 17, 2007

Bisbee 1000 Stair Climb, Bisbee Arizona
October 20, 2007

Rim Challenge Half Marathon
October 13th, 2007 Payson Arizona

Rim to Rim to Rim Grand Canyon Run
October 4 - 6, 2007

The Flagstaff Half Marathon, Flagstaff - Nordic Center
September 22nd, 2007

White Mountains Half Marathon, Eager 
September 15th, 2007

Big Brothers and Big Sisters Half Marathon in Flagstaff
August 11th, 2007

Gaspin in the Aspens Trail Run 15K 
June 16, 2007

Rim to Rim to Rim Grand Canyon 
May 18, 2007

Miami Copper Crawl
April 22, 2007

Sedona Half Marathon
 February 10, 2007

2006
Payson Rim Challenge Half Marathon November 3rd

Grand Canyon - South Rim Kaibab trail to Phantom Ranch and up Bright Angel trail

Training Log



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