Soundrunner
Cool Runner |
 posted Nov-27-2007 01:41 AM
   
I went into this race knowing I could probably run a 1:45, hoping I could run the 1:43 that McMillan predicted (based upon my 2 mile time trial two weeks ago), but thinking maybe, just maybe, I could reach just inside that.Short version: uh huh. I grabbed it. I was nervous for this race. Really nervous. I had a wonderful time at the Boomer dinner, but, honestly, my stomach was doing somersaults all night. (Or maybe it was from DH's dreamy gaze across the table from me or him lifting me off the ground in a big bear hug when I finally had my, um, moment with him, I'm not sure). In any event, I couldn't wait to get out there and run. I didn't sleep much Saturday night (in part, remembering mariposai and I nearly oversleeping in Bellingham) and as soon as I woke up my stomach was in knots once again. This race held a lot of weight for me. Aside from some niggling pain, mostly in the balls of my feet, my foot had been feeling good. Heel sfx recovery/ramping back up had gone well and I've been feeling strong the last few months. I really had no excuses not to run well. Thus, the nervousness. I ran the Bellingham half marathon in early October in 1:50:xx and felt very good at the finish. The past several weeks I've been maintaining a good marathon-training mileage (50-55ish) and have incorporated some weekly tempo runs. Sunday morning was cold, but held promise of clear skies and great running. Requisite fashion report: New Craft shirt (I can't rave enough about this shirt. http://www.craft-usa.com),), Mizuno black shorts, Mizuno Elixirs, Trifosi sunglasses. Arrived at the start after warming up for about a mile and using the bathroom in my secret warm spot I discovered a few years ago. Wiggled my way through the crowd toward a decent spot (still turned out to be 35 secs. back from gun time) and when the race started I got up to a good speed pretty quickly. Ditched the 99 cent gloves with hand warmers in the first mile. First mile came and I was so nervous, I panicked about which button to push on my watch. The watch I've used in a million races. So, I didn't. Mile 2 came and there was someone calling out cumulative time, so I knew about where I was again. And so it went from there. I just decided to forget about splits on my watch and go off of the time given at each mile. Keep it under 8 mins. each mile and I'd be fine. I knew that I was gradually banking time off the 1:45 goal, but math, especially math on the fly, has never been my strength, so I didn't know by how much. And of course, with each successive mile, I knew even less. I just knew every mile was under 8 mins. (that much math I could do.  ) The topsy turviness I felt the first few miles in my stomach went away as my confidence built. I skipped all of the water stops, carrying my Ultimate water bottle with Nuun (only drinking half; pretty dehydrated the rest of the day). Two Cliff shot blocks at Mile 5; two more at Mile 9.5. I had received a text message from Skip just as I left my car to head to the start and I kept his positive message and confidence in me in my head. Saturday night a friend of mine I train with, including portions of this course, had e-mailed me, saying: "You own those hills." I read it right before I went to sleep. Her words became my race manta. I can really say for the first time in a longer race I stayed positive in my head the entire time -- I remembered what they said, remembered how well I'd been running, remembered the encouragement of boomers and friends, focused on my form and repeated that mantra. Over and over. When I passed my group's water stop just past Mile 10, I called out to a friend that I thought I had 1:43. I didn't know by how much. As I came up over the hill at Mile 12, I passed a man and nearly said out loud, wanted to say to him, "Hey guy, I own this hill. Buh- bye." A cruise downhill, a sharp left, the last push up the cruel hill right before the finish and I was down the home stretch. 1:41:14 12/627 age group It's not quite a PR, but my 1:39 PRs a few years ago (two of them, nearly identical) both came on flat courses. In nearly all respects, I consider this race better. I'm pretty darn happy. Okay, I am thrilled.  A certain diminutive Canadienne, in that sweet faerie way she has, told me post race she expects better. Maybe I won't improve as much as she thinks I can, but, by golly, I'll take her challenge on. I think I can do better than 1:41, and, if my running stays strong and I stay healthy, soon.
[This message has been edited by Soundrunner (edited Nov-27-2007).]
edited again for late night sloppiness. [This message has been edited by Soundrunner (edited Nov-27-2007).]
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Spareribs
Cool Runner |
posted Nov-27-2007 08:23 AM
This makes my day! Look back at all the elements. Injury gone, back to running marathon mileage, incorporating tempo and other speed work, and then staying within yourself during the race. Well done.Here is something to consider. Putting aside the issue of the hills for now, it often happens when someone comes off injury and gets in good shape again, that they have no useful benchmark for pace. You simply chose a time you thought you could better, and then executed it perfectly. There is much more in this reservoir and based on what I can see, certainly any time under 1:40 seems quite reasonable. Stick with what you are doing, allow yourself two easy weeks for recovery, then get back at it, injury-free. Nice job Soundie. I am very happy for you. Spareribs
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