 posted Oct-14-2007 09:11 PM
  
Before the gun went off this morning, I realized that we had ideal temperatures for Baystate (45-55), a fairly flat course, but knew that ~ 10:00 a.m., the wind was going to be pretty tough as with the only rolling hills on the course, there was going to be 12-13 mph in my face.I set me goals at:
Content: 3:18 (30+ minute PR of 3:48:34)
Excited: 3:10 (or BQ at 3:10:59)
"Cloud 9": 3:08 (40+ minute PR and BQ) Pre- Race:
Followed a ton advice from the taper thread related to diet, but more or less, followed the Phiz. taper. I woke up at 6 am, had an eggo waffle and gatorade (thanks Johnny J  ), and was out the door at 6:30. I met a friend and he drove me to the race at 7:00 and we were in Lowell with ~ 1 hour to relax. I have to say, the Tsongas Arena was awsome as it was warm, close to the start, and ample bathrooms! Headed to the start at ~ 8:15 with my BoSox hat and two GUs taped to the visor and carried one. Tried to look for Joev9, but couldn't find him. Race:
I forgot to wear my HRM, so at 8:30 when the gun went off, I went out running totally on "feel" but was able to use the help of some friendly runners to help me in my attempt to reach my goal. First 5k at ~ 7:35/mi: Right on pace at 23:30 going out at :20 off of MP to give myself some time to warm- up. Second 5k @ ~ 7:15/mi: I settled into MP pace and it felt wicked comfortable. Chatted with a few folks and settled in with one runner who later became a 14- mile friend. 10k- Mile 13 at ~ 7:05/mi: As I knew the wind would be a challenge from 14-18, I decided to start banking some time at 7:05/mi so that I could settle into a more comfortable pace when the head wind started. I popped a GU at mile 7 and I hit the half at 1:34:50 so I was right on pace! Miles 13- 20 @ ~ 7:10/mi: At Mile 14, the wind picked- up and I started felling the effort to hit MP. I popped a GU at 14 and was able to maintain a 7:10/mi pace through 20 and hit the split at 2:24:15...right on pace again!. My dad and brother were at a turn on 18 and that gave me a great mental boost. From ~ mile 6, I had been running with a local runner who was giving me splits and we were chatting quite a bit for 12- 14 miles. In retrospect...this may have not been a good idea...but hey...he is a member of a running club one town over so I may meet him again in the future! Mile 20-25 @ ~ 7:40: I don't have the exact splits and didn't "blow up" at any ONE mile, but here is where things went wrong. I saw that I started seeing 7:30+ splits after 20 and pushed to speed up... but just couldn't. I lost my running partner (BTW... who finished in ~3:05), but felt like I simply was losing steam. Mentally, I wished I had taken gatorade at a water stop at mile 19, but I had to wait until ~ 22 and took a GU with some gatorade. I knew if I was wearing my HRM...this is where I would have seen a low HR, but felt like I was pushing pretty hard. These 5 miles is where I lost my BQ and gave back any time I had banked. Mile 26- Finish @ ~ 7:15: I knew it would be close so I picked it up...but too little...too late. I hit the warning track at the baseball stadium at 3:10 and new I had to run the entire outfield and down to first base to make 3:10:59. I hit the right field corner...made the turn down the first base line and looked up to see 3:11:01 only to clock my finish 16 seconds later. I laughed at myself as I made the turn, but was super glad to see my wife, son, father, and brother at the finish. All in all, I was really glad to see no issues with the tendonitis I was dealing with in my ankle for ~ 6 weeks, and all my gear worked awsome! I don't feel as sore as I should... but only know that this is a measure of the course, conditions, and possibly that I did not leave 100% out on the course. Missing a BQ by :18 could be worse...but in the end...I crushed my previous PR and will plan on running a 5- miler I help direct (www.gracerace.net) with some friends next weekend. Mybe I'll run/jog it with my wife and son to just enjoy the day with the fam! I now know what if feels like to be that guy that is within 1 minute of a qualifying cut- off. Crazy to think :01/mi would have given me 3:10:50
[This message has been edited by Gazelle2007 (edited Oct-14-2007).]
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Not quite the same thing, I know!)
