It was a perfect race day. Chilly, somewhat cloudy and hardly any wind. I had decided that today I was going to run well. So much of running is mental and today was going to be my day. I started out with the goal of a 3:47.
As previously stated, I lacked a bit in the training. Instead of running 4-5 days a week, I usually run two, or three if I'm lucky. Considering last year's race day was awful, I wasn't sure what to expect today, if my lack of training was going to catch up with me.
However, because I can control my nutrition, I did very well with that, thinking I might as well take any advantage I could.
I started off a couple slow miles, around a 9:30 pace and then picked it up from there. Essentially I ran easy for one mile and hard for two. I've previously discussed that one steady pace kills me.
I ran a 1:44 half and thought at that time there was a chance I would run a sub 3:40.
I crossed the 20 mile mark at 2:40 and was more confident that I could run a sub 3:40.
Unfortunately mile 22 kicked my butt. At one point my body involuntarily started walking. That was weird, it was like I couldn't control it.
At mile 22.5 the 3:40 pace team caught me and I tried so hard to stay with them. I stayed with them until mile 24 and I was done. D.O.N.E. They ran ahead.
My last two miles were at a 9:30 pace with my quads quivering with cramps, ready to give out at any time.
I finished strong though. I was able to run hard over the finish line with a time of 3:42:59.
I almost fell and I hurt. Whole body hurt. Head, shoulders, neck, hips, quads, hams, calves, feet, toes.
What was interesting about the course was that until mile 24, my garmin was behind the race mile markers. So I would hit a mile marker, and about .05mi later, my garmin would beep (along with everyone else's). We were all commenting that this course might be short.
Something happened after mile 24 though. I didn't take any water/gatorade or gu, I didn't veer off course and yet when I crossed the finish line, my garmin said I ran 26.38 miles.
I was 12/119 for my age, 59/741 for women, 361/2506 overall and average pace of 8:31/mile.
Overall, it was awesome. I am very happy improving my time by 32 minutes. I still hurt.
PS. I know most of you read this on fb. Sorry to make you read it again. I am enjoying reliving it.
4 comments:
I am so impressed! I was with Megs and she wanted me to tell u that u did really well. And impressed with the time!
Awesome job!!! You are one of the elite that crushes their time goal! Congrats!
You should run Columbus- you have plenty of time to recover and maybe PR again. Cooler temps and a great course!! Enjoy your well-earned lazy days :)
I loved reading it again. It gives me much hope to be able to run my half marathan Dec 11th!!
yeah for you abby!!
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