2024 Run to Feed the Hungry

For the twentieth time in the last twenty-one years [2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2006, 2005 and 2004], I ran or walked the Run to Feed the Hungry. We entered in 2007, but I was feeling under the weather and we decided not to run before heading to San Francisco for Thanksgiving. Sharon also missed seven years ago when she was feeling under the weather. Last year, Sharon decided to do a virtual 5k around Ancil Hoffman Park.

I took off by myself at 7:10 am. Turning off Howe on to University and then right on Campus Commons, I parked in a parking lot along side Fair Oaks Boulevard.

Taking off later, Sharon and Jack walked the 5k.

I have come to view this run as a referendum on my fitness. I am very satisfied with the results.

I ended up with a chip time of 1:08:47. This is a minute and twenty seconds faster than last year. My pace was 11:04 minutes per mile versus 11:17 last year. My 5k spilt was 33:31 with a pace of 10:40 minutes per mile. Using RunKeeper, my splits were: Mile 1 - 10:37; Mile 2 - 10:26; Mile 3 - 10:34; Mile 4 - 11:00; Mile 5 - 11:25; and, Mile 6 - 11:48.

I felt good physically during the run; nothing hurt. My legs started to die in the fifth mile.

[Note to self], I need to do more training runs outside ahead of next year's run. Get off the treadmill!

2023 Run to Feed the Hungry

For the nineteenth time in the last twenty years [2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2006, 2005 and 2004], I ran or walked the Run to Feed the Hungry. We entered in 2007, but I was feeling under the weather and we decided not to run before heading to San Francisco for Thanksgiving. Sharon also missed six years ago when she was feeling under the weather. This year, Sharon decided to do a virtual 5k around Ancil Hoffman Park.

I took off by myself at 7:15 am. I ended up parking on Cadillac Drive; they wouldn't let you turn left off of Fair Oaks Boulevard to get to University Avenue where I have parked for the last ten years.

I had a lot of trepedition about this year's run. I have come to view this run as a referendum on my fitness. After walking the 5k for the first time with the family last year, I wasn't sure how I would do.

I ended up with a chip time of 1:10:07 for a pace of 11:17 minutes per mile. My 5k spilt was 33:36 with a pace of 10:48 minutes per mile. Using RunKeeper, my splits were: Mile 1 - 10:47; Mile 2 - 10:32; Mile 3 - 10:53; Mile 4 - 11:20; Mile 5 - 11:31; and, Mile 6 - 11:56.

I felt good physically during the run; nothing hurt. I am satisfied with the results. I am older and slower, but still running! I actually think with a little more distance training that I could carry a little more speed. I slowed down a lot in the last third of the race.

They changed the 10k course since the last time I ran it. It now goes down a couple of the fabulous 40s streets rather than under Business 80 into midtown.

2022 Run to Feed the Hungry

For the eighteenth time in the last nineteen years [2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2006, 2005 and 2004], Sharon and I ran the Run to Feed the Hungry. We entered in 2007, but I was feeling under the weather and we decided not to run before heading to San Francisco for Thanksgiving. Sharon also missed six years ago when she was feeling under the weather.

For the first time, I walked the 5k rather than running the 10k. It was a combination of factors, including: getting home at 12:30 am after picking up Jack; struggling with my left shin, and; pressure to join the family group.

I really enjoyed walking with everyone. In particular, the fabulous 40s were beautiful. Lee got out of the stroller and walked about a mile and a half. He would stop and play in the piles of leaves. I was shocked at the number of people walking the 5k.

It took us more than an hour and a half to cover the three plus miles. Next year, I hope to be back running the 10k!

2021 Run to Feed the Hungry

For the seventeenth time in the last eightteen years [2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2006, 2005 and 2004], Sharon and I ran the Run to Feed the Hungry. We entered in 2007, but I was feeling under the weather and we decided not to run before heading to San Francisco for Thanksgiving. Sharon also missed five years ago when she was feeling under the weather.

With Sharon, Jack, Drew and Carmen planning to walk the 5k, I took off by myself at 7:10 am. For the ninth year in a row, I parked off University Avenue.

I ended up with a chip time of 1:03:30 for a pace of 10:14 minutes per mile. My 5k spilt was 31:13 with a pace of 10:02 minutes per mile. Using RunKeeper, my splits were: Mile 1 - 10:20; Mile 2 - 9:50; Mile 3 - 10:15; Mile 4 - 10:17; Mile 5 - 10:20; and, Mile 6 - 10:26. This is almost exactly the same time as two years ago.

I have come to view this run as a referendum on my fitness. I felt good physically during the run. I am satisfied with the results. I think that this is just about as much speed as I can carry at this point.

Sharon, Jack, Drew and Carmen drove separately. Jack walked the 5k with Emma and Jason. Sharon walked with Drew and Carmen. Sharon said that the 5k was a zoo. They announced the participants in the 10k and 5k at 26,000.

2020 Run to Feed the Hungry

For the sixteenth time in the last seventeen years [2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2006, 2005 and 2004], Sharon and I ran the Run to Feed the Hungry. We entered in 2007, but I was feeling under the weather and we decided not to run before heading to San Francisco for Thanksgiving. Sharon also missed four years ago when she was feeling under the weather.

With the pandemic raging, this year's event was virtual. Sharon, her brother and I walked a 10k in Arden Park and Sierra Oaks on Thursday morning.

It was disapponting not to be able to run the 10k. I use the race to test myself and measure my fitness. It is a marker that I can compare to previous years.

Using Runkeeper, I generated the map of our walk. Additionally, Runkeeper allowed you to upload your virtual results to the race results.

2019 Run to Feed the Hungry

For the fifteenth time in the last sixteen years [2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2006, 2005 and 2004], Jack, Sharon and I ran the Run to Feed the Hungry. We entered in 2007, but I was feeling under the weather and we decided not to run before heading to San Francisco for Thanksgiving. Sharon also missed three years ago when she was feeling under the weather.

I woke up about 4:30 am in the morning and it was pouring rain.  When I walked Tiber, it was raining lightly. As a result, I had a certain amount of trepidation about the day. I have only run the race once in the rain; it poured during the race in 2011.

With Sharon and Jack planning to walk the 5k, I took off by myself at 7:15 am.  For the eighth year in a row, I parked off University Avenue.  Reversing the trend of the last couple of years, I parked near the Guy West Bridge rather than the H Street Bridge.

I am not sure how to feel about this year's results. I have come to view this run as a referendum on my fitness. Although I am a little dinged up (left foot and right hip), I felt good physically during the run. My legs felt odd during the first mile, but I settled in and was comfortable for the rest of the race. I just can't carry any speed anymore.

I ended up with a chip time of 1:03:20 for a pace of 10:12 minutes per mile. My 5k spilt was 31:26 with a pace of 10:06 minutes per mile. Using the apple watch app rather than RunKeeper, my splits were: Mile 1 - 9:51; Mile 2 - 9:57; Mile 3 - 10:16; Mile 4 - 10:14; Mile 5 - 10:24; and, Mile 6 - 10:10. The app paused at one point and missed a short segment.

Sharon and Jack drove separately and walked the 5k with Emma, Jason, Laura and Daphne (Laura's daughter). There were so many people at the 5k that it took them twenty minutes to cross the starting line. Sharon vows that she will do the 10k in the future.

2018 Run to Feed the Hungry

For the fourteen time in the last fifteen years [2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2006, 2005 and 2004], Jack and I ran the Run to Feed the Hungry.  We entered in 2007, but I was feeling under the weather and we decided not to run before heading to San Francisco for Thanksgiving. Sharon also missed two years ago when she was feeling under the weather.

For the seventh year in a row, we parked off University Avenue. For the third year, I parked closer to the H Street bridge rather than the Guy West Bridge.

I have come to view this run as a referendum on my fitness. Although I was fighting a little bit of a cold, I was pleased with this year's results.

My official chip time for the 10k was 58:58 with a 9:30 pace. I was 28:44 at the 5k with a pace of 9:15. My Runkeeper splits by mile were: 1 - 9:11; 2 - 9:01; 3 - 9:28; 4 - 9:36; 5 - 9:45; 6 - 9:50, and; last quarter mile - 9:41.

This was my fastest time since 2014. In 2015, I ran 1:00:21. I was embarrassed by my 1:03:57 in 2016 and turned a 59:10 in 2017. The secret to beating last year's time was a strong first mile.

Jack walked the 5k with Emma, Cara and Jason. Sharon ran the 10k, but cut the corner at McKinley Park. The three of us drove together so Sharon and I had to wait for Jack to finish the 5k.

A footnote. Looking back over the years, my 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 times were all set running with Jack at what was probably the peak of his conditioning. It was a unique motivation. It would be interesting to see what pace I could carrying now if I was similarly challenged...

2017 Run to Feed the Hungry

For the thirteenth time in the last fourteen years [2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2006, 2005 and 2004], Jack and I ran the Run to Feed the Hungry.  We entered in 2007, but I was feeling under the weather and we decided not to run before heading to San Francisco for Thanksgiving. Sharon also missed last year when she was feeling under the weather.

For the sixth year in a row, we parked on University Avenue. For the second year, I parked closer to the H Street bridge rather than the Guy West Bridge. Although Sharon said that she missed walking through the campus, it is a little shorter walk to and from the car.

I have come to view this run as a referendum on my fitness. In that regard, last year was a disaster. Feeling under the weather much of last fall, I ended up running a 1:03:57 for an average pace of 10:18. I was frankly embarrassed.

This year went much better. My official chip time for the 10k was 59:10 with a 9:32 pace. I was 29:13 at the 5k with a pace of 9:25. Thinking I was going to take a more leisurely approach this year, I started further back from the starting line. As a result, it took me almost 50 seconds just to cross the starting line. My Runkeeper splits by mile were: 1 - 10:07; 2 - 9:09; 3 - 9:17; 4 - 9:33; 5 - 9:41; 6 - 9:30, and; last quarter mile - 9:37. Once I got going, I felt strong. I backed off a little in the fourth and fifth miles, but was able to speed up again in the last mile and a half.

I was very happy with the results. My time was not only faster than 2016, but also faster than 2015.

Jack walked the 5k with Emma and Jason. His chip time was 1:08:18 for an average pace of 21:59. Sharon ran the 10k, but cut the corner at McKinley Park.

2016 Run to Feed the Hungry

For the twelfth time in the last thirteen years [2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2006, 2005 and 2004], Jack and I ran the Run to Feed the Hungry. Sharon was not feeling well and didn't run this year. We entered in 2007, but I was feeling under the weather and we decided not to run before heading to San Francisco for Thanksgiving.

For the fifth year in a row, I parked on University Avenue. This year, I parked closer to the H Street bridge rather than the Guy West Bridge. It was a little shorter walk to and from the car.

I had a lot of trepidation leading up to the race. I have been under the weather the last few weeks. As a result, I am not as strong and fit as I would like to be. I am somewhat embarrassed by results. My time was 1:03:57 for an average pace of 10:18. Based on Runkeeper, my splits were: 1-9:39; 2-9:46; 3-10:03; 4-10:14; 5-10:31, and; 6-10:39. I have got to do better next year!

They announced the crowd at 29,000 at the start of the race. One of the things that has changed over the years is that the crowd never really thins out. It is a pack of runners from the beginning to the end.

Jack ran the 5k with a group of friends. It was weird to go to the race by myself and not meet anyone afterwards. I also miss not getting our traditional picture with Jack after the race.

2015 Run to Feed the Hungry

For the eleventh time in the last twelve years [2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2006, 2005 and 2004], Sharon, Jack and I ran the Run to Feed the Hungry. We entered in 2007, but I was feeling under the weather and we decided not to run before heading to San Francisco for Thanksgiving.

For the four year in a row, we parked on University Avenue and walked across the Guy West Bridge to the campus. Sharon ran untimed, while Jack was meeting a friend so I ended up at the starting line by myself.

I had a very slow time this year. I had been struggling with my right knee over the last couple of weeks, but it never bothered me. I was just slow... My time was 1:00:21 for an average pace of 9:43. Based on Runkeeper, my splits were: 1-9:46; 2-9:33; 3-9:41; 4-9:51; 5-9:41, and; 6-9:39.

Running with a friend from St. Francis, Jack finished in 58:27 for an average pace of 9:25.

2014 Run to Feed the Hungry

For the tenth time in the last eleven years [2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2006, 2005 and 2004], Sharon, Jack and I ran the Run to Feed the Hungry. We entered in 2007, but I was feeling under the weather and we decided not to run before heading to San Francisco for Thanksgiving.

For the third year in a row, we parked on University Avenue and walked across the Guy West Bridge to the campus. We got to starting line earlier than last year. Sharon, Jack and I were actually together at the start for the first time in a couple of years. I lost track of Jack almost immediately and never saw him again.

I was very disappointed in my time this year. My time was 55:49 for an average pace of 8:59. My 5k pace was 8:48. My splits were ugly: 1-8:47; 2-8:39; 3-9:00; 4-9:03; 5-9:11, and; 6-9:03. The race seemed more crowded at the start so the first mile was slower. My legs were dead in the second half of the race; I just couldn't carry any speed.

In 2013, My time was 52:58 for an average pace of 8:35. My 5k pace was 8:28. My splits were: 1-8:29; 2-8:15; 3-8:35; 4-8:47; 5-8:38, and; 6-8:39.

In 2012, I ran a 53:50 for an average pace of 8:40.

Jack ran the race in 47:26 for a pace of 7:38. Jack's pace for the first 5k was 7:09. In 2013, Jack ran the race in 47:38 for a pace of 7:40. In 2012, he ran a 50:41 for a pace of 8:10.

The weather was perfect!

2013 Run to Feed the Hungry

For the ninth time in the last ten years [2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2006, 2005 and 2004], Sharon, Jack and I ran the Run to Feed the Hungry. We entered in 2007, but I was feeling under the weather and we decided not to run before heading to San Francisco for Thanksgiving.

For the second year in a row, we parked on University Avenue and walked across the Guy West Bridge to the campus. Walking up to the starting line with about five minutes to go before the gun, I had to weave my way up to the timed runners section. In the process, I lost contact with Jack. He caught up with me at about the 1.3 mile mark. Jack tapped me on the shoulder and loped by me. I didn't even try to stay in contact with him…

My time was 52:58 for an average pace of 8:35. My 5k pace was 8:28. My splits were: 1-8:29; 2-8:15; 3-8:35; 4-8:47; 5-8:38, and; 6-8:39. I backed off just a bit in mile 4. Last year, I ran a 53:50 for an average pace of 8:40.

Jack ran the race in 47:38 for a pace of 7:40. Jack's pace for the first 5k was 7:23. Last year, he ran a 50:41 for a pace of 8:10. In an odd twist, Jack ran with Sharon's bib.

The weather was perfect!

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2012 Run to Feed the Hungry

For the eighth time in the last nine years [2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2006, 2005 and 2004], Sharon, Jack and I ran the Run to Feed the Hungry. We entered in 2007, but I was feeling under the weather and we decided not to run before heading to San Francisco for Thanksgiving.

I mentioned recently that I got a shock in Italy while we were hiking with a sudden realization of how big and strong Jack has gotten. Last year, Jack and I ran the first five miles together and then he smoked me the last mile plus. This year, I knew I was in trouble from the start. He and I ran surprisingly unimpeded for the first mile. Looking over at him, I realized that he was just loping along. Just as we approached the first mile, Jack picked up the pace and left me behind.

Jack ran the race in 50:41 for a pace of 8:10. Jack's pace for the first 5k was 8:04. He said afterwards that his hip was bothering him a little.

My time was 53:50 for an average pace of 8:40. My 5k pace was 8:34. I slowed down in the third mile and then ran increasingly faster splits for the last three miles [4-8:54; 5-8:51; 6-8:37]. I have had a sore back, but it didn't seem to brother me during the run.

Sharon's time was 1:01:53 for an average pace of 9:58.

After last year's rain, the weather for this year was perfect.

We parked along University Avenue on the east of the American River. Although we had a longer walk to the car, once we got to the car, we had no traffic. Last year, we spent an hour trying to get out of the parking lot.

2011 Run to Feed the Hungry

For the seventh time in the last eight years [2010, 2009, 2008, 2006, 2005 and 2004], Sharon, Jack and I ran the Run to Feed the Hungry. We entered in 2007, but I was feeling under the weather and we decided not to run before heading to San Francisco for Thanksgiving.

We picked up Janie downtown and she ran with Sharon. For the first time since we started running the race, it rained on Thanksgiving. In fact, it was the first time in the 18-year history of the Thanksgiving Day race that it rained.

Jack and I ran together for the first five plus miles. Our first five splits were 8:47, 8:29, 8:52, 8:53 and 8:34. I knew I was in trouble when Jack picked up the pace through the fifth mile. With about a mile to go, he started to pull away from me. I have run a lot of miles over the last month in an attempt to get my weight back down and I just didn't have anything left in my legs when Jack kicked. I covered the sixth mile in 8:32. Based on the race results, I ran the course in 54:40 for an average pace of 8:48 per mile. Jack finished the race with 53:42 for an average pace of 8:39.

Jack was very proud of the fact that he had finally beaten me for the first time in a 10k race.

It rained off and on during the race. Walking back to the car, we were wet and cold. With Sharon and Janie finishing about 20 minutes behind us, Jack and I found some place out of the rain to wait for them. Sharon had parked in a small lot near the Guy West Bridge. For some reason, it took us almost an hour just to get out of the lot!

At the start of the 18th Annual Run to Feed the Hungry

At the start of the 18th Annual Run to Feed the Hungry, originally uploaded by heringermr.

2010 Run to Feed the Hungry

For the sixth time in the last seven years [2010, 2009, 2008, 2006, 2005 and 2004], Sharon, Jack and I ran the Run to Feed the Hungry. We entered in 2007, but I was feeling under the weather and we decided not to run before heading to San Francisco for Thanksgiving.

Jack and I ran the course in 1:06:39 for an average pace of 10:37 per mile. Jack ran steadily, but his left foot was bothering him for the last mile or two.  Sharon cut off one of the corners and finished about 45 seconds in front of us...

2009 Run To Feed The Hungry

For the fifth time in the last six years [2009, 2008, 2006, 2005 and 2004], Sharon, Jack and I ran the Run to Feed the Hungry. We entered in 2007, but I was feeling under the weather and we decided not to run before heading to San Francisco for Thanksgiving.

Jack and I ran the course in 1:04:39 for an average pace of 10:26. For the first time, they split the start for the 5k and the 10k. The 5k started 20 minutes after the 10k. As a result, it took us less than a minute to get to the starting line. Although it did not impact our pace, it seemed like there was a lot more people running the 10k this year. In previous years, the number of people around us dropped about the 3rd mile. This year, we were running with lots of people the whole distance. Sharon ran a 1:24:01 for an average of 13:33.

Drew is living in River Park. He rode his bike over and met his at the finish line.

At the Run to Feed The Hungry

At the Run to Feed The Hungry, originally uploaded by heringermr.

Run to Feed the Hungry 2008 Pic

2008 Run To Feed The Hungry

For the fourth time in the last five years [2008, 2006, 2005 and 2004], Sharon, Jack and I ran the Run to Feed the Hungry. Jack and I ran the course in 1:07:15 for an average pace of 10:50. With more than 28,000 people at the event this year, our first mile was very slow. Additionally, Jack's calf was bothering him after about 3 miles and we stopped to stretch it. Sharon ran a 1:19:03 for an average of 12:44.