Bitter sweet for me. I felt like i didn't do justice to my fitness level at this race, but i learned a lot! My first race over 15k in 2 years and i ran very conservative which was smart. If i did this again i'd go out harder, and with more confidence. I ran slower than i expected... but i didn't bonk so that's good, right? beautiful course too....oh and i learned that sunglass are a good idea! i've got to find a late race gu that doesn't make me sick, so i can start using them again. So for where my experience level is, this was fine.
The one mistake i was concious of was shutting down mentally after i hit mile 13. I just wanted to finish at that point. my lack of mileage really showed, my legs got tired and i didn't push through it hard enough, i just coasted, "dum de dum de dum I'll get to the finish eventually" What a crappy attitude. So Somethings in my control to work on for the next "long" race are late race attitude, and strengthening those leg muscles.... they're still like little baby leg muscles. Here's the race "report"
I went out in a 6:08 first mile and quickly made up for it with a 5:52 next mile to go through the two mile marker in exactly 12:00.... Then I held the 6;00 pace for the next 7miles. I passed Katie Nowak once at mile 4 and she fought back. Then at mile 5.5 I passed her again, no fight this time, then I quickly over took Linsey Smith as well, close to the 6 mile marker,I held that spot for the remainder of the race. I went through the 8 mile marker in 48:04. The first 8 miles felt like I was jogging. Then came 5 miles of rolling hills.
The first series of hills I held close to pace, and could see Paige and Kristen up ahead until mile 11. I actually saw Paige make her move. I went through mile 11 in 1:06:17. I was happy that being conservative had payed off since i'd done little hill work in the last several months. Then mile 12 (1:12:28) i started to unwind. Energy was running low, and my legs were becoming fatigued. No heavy breathing still, no burning, just fatigue. and more hills. mile 13 (1:19:??) I was wishing it was a half marathon, but still not feeling defeated. I actually felt like there was a lot in my legs and now way to tap into it. Miles thirteen through 15 are flat residential miles, into the sun. I can remember squinting up the road somwhere around mile 14 thinking, "didn't I just pass that tree? Wasn't that guy in the chair on the last block?" those last two miles I just let go of the fight knowing that I wasn't going to gain on 2nd place, and no one was gaining on me. When I rounded the corner and saw the finish I was sooooooo happy. I recovered quickly! So it was solid, for where I'm at right now, and shows where my weakness are. This race is a pretty honest reflection of my training (weaknesses!)... not fitness! does that make sense? The course was beautiful
6th woman... 3rd American. | 