In case you missed it, I attempted a race report here a few days ago but it got so lengthy that I had to turn it onto a pre-race report. Consider yourself warned...
Yup. That would be a heel strike
Start:
Running races hurt. A lot. I try to mentally prepare myself for the pain cave. But you never quite know what it's going to be like in that cave until you enter it. Running races are simple. I love simplicity. You just show up, chat it up, line up, and then try not to blow up.
Mile 1: 6:35/mi
Surprised at how calm I am. No pre-race nerves whatsoever. I guess that after competing in one sport or another for the last 25 years, I am kind of over it. At least in a low-key race with no pressure. While it's nice in some ways, I miss the feeling of nervousness, anticipation, anxiety, and excitement all rolled into one.
Mile 2: 6:48/mi
Running with new-found friend, Marci, for the first few miles. We met at the start and she is going just the right pace. We chat here and there for a bit but mostly just run side-by-side. Or me right on her heels. Sometimes, on order to find my own pace, I like to latch onto somebody else first and then see what feels right for myself. Just about the time when I tell her I have a feeling you are going to drop me any minute. Have a great race! I actually drop her. Oops. This was totally unintentional. Sorry, Marci!
Mile 3: 6:39/mi
I am liking these hills. More hills? Bring it!
Trying to work the hills
Mile 4: 6:29/mi
Getting a little concerned that I am going too fast and will pay for it later. I told M a few days before the race that I am worried about dying a slow death after mile 10. Have not run longer than 10 miles since late last summer… Her advice: Prepare for it mentally!
Mile 5: 6:54/mi
Deciding to adopt Chrissie Wellington's Let's make hay while the sun is shining! attitude. I can't slow down now just because I might blow up later. I will deal with that when I get there.
Mile 6: 7:03/mi
Long, rather steep uphill. Knowing that it's the last (significant) uphill and followed by a nice downhill, I am able to close the gap to the guys in front of me and pass some of them.
Mile 7: 6:52/mi
Let the mental games begin! Nice pace. Keep it up. - What if I can't keep it up? This is hard. - Half way there! This isn't so bad. - Only half way? Shoot. Seems like I've already been running forever. I have a long way to go when it comes to mental fortitude but I am making progress. Even if it might not seem that way…
Mile 8: 6:34/mi
Of course. UnderArmour-clad guys will not let girls pass them. At any cost. It's a fact but I go for it anyway… Fine then. I will just hug your heels and try again later. Thanks for pulling me along.
Mile 9: 6:40/mi
Looks like I will be able to postpone the breakdown until at least Mile 10. I start making a plan: Hold this effort for another mile. Just one more mile. Then make yourself suffer for 2 miles and for the last mile you are really going to put the hurt on everybody around you. But all you are going to think about right now is this next mile. Pretend the race is only 10 miles long. I am pretty good at fooling myself. It comes with practice. I also need to break down long efforts or I will start losing it.
Mile 10: 6:57/mi
Darn. I don't think this plan is going to work. Who do I think I am? But if I slow down now, I will only have to suffer even longer, so I might as well get this over with as fast as possible. Maybe I need a little distraction in form of a treat. I think it's time for a chocolate/mint party in my mouth! Out comes the GU.
Mile 11: 7:00/mi
(Looking at my splits now, the plan is apparently not working so well. But in my head it is. And that's the only thing that matters.) What's up with all these funky looking runners in their cotton t-shirts and colorful tights around me out of the sudden? And the Grandpa that's trying to pass me? Help! I am losing it! It's also super windy out of the sudden, so I tuck myself in right behind some tall dude and push Grandpa out of his draft. Or so it seems. But Grandpa is happy to share the draft and we have a little chat. I am in love with fast Grandpas.
Mile 12: 6:32/mi
Make it hurt! So far, despite my ups and downs, I am not really hurting yet. Truth be told: I am having fun. It's a blast! Some days I suffer so badly while seemingly standing still and it is no fun. Other days, like today, are a true suffer-fest. The pain is enjoyable! You know what I am talking about?
Mile 13: 6:19/mi
Time to dig deep. Make it hurt more. If this seems masochistic, it probably is. The last mile is somewhat of a blur. I do remember the feeling of pushing my body as hard as I can and loving it. Although I am not really going all that fast, I feel fast. This is huge. I never feel fast running! Suddenly, after not seeing a single girl since mile 3, I can see 2 girls ahead of me. I am making up time but not quite enough. I know that if I really wanted to I can catch at least one right before the finish. But I can't make myself do it. What's the point of dashing by your competitor in a mad sprint to the finish when you've had 13 miles to prove that you are faster than her? Instead, I ignore the Go get her! cheers, smile, and take a look at the race clock. Holy shivets! I am going to make it in 1:27:XX! Yessssssss!
I did it!
The Finish: 1:27:47
I am ecstatic! So is Coach M and HT! I think I surprised all of us! Who knew that I could hold a 6:42/mi average for 13.1 miles? I sure didn't!
Yes. It was that close.
The aftermath:
Luckily, there was no aftermath this time around. I jogged to the car, changed, had some chocolate milk, met my friends at the finish, and was ready to get out of there and into a hot shower. It was very exciting to see so many of my friends and fellow HT Training athletes have phenomenal races. Congrats to all!
I love analyzing workouts and races with Colleen and that's just what we did (while consuming large quantities of food) until it was time to pack the bags for an afternoon ride and swim with Coachie and friends. What a fantastic weekend!
Thank you, Rue Family, for hosting me yet again! I owe you big time! Have I mentioned that Colleen's husband, Adam, was the race announcer? He did a great job!
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