Another gal from our running group was wanting to break 1:30, along with a group of about 5 guys from the area. It would be a perfect situation for a GMP workout. Unfortunately, we started a bit fast and I just decided to go with it. Here's the good news- I felt awesome. Awesome meaning that the 6:40s felt slow. I decided to stick with about 3 guys that pulled ahead of Speedy Amy. We stayed in this pack for the first 6 miles, and I was lead female from the gun.
6:42, 6:38, 6:36, 6:37, 6:37, 6:32
We discussed that we had a wind behind us, knowing good and well that the trip back would be considerably slower. At Mile 6, we started to break up a bit. I had a Hammer Gel mishap where I dropped it and was going to leave it. Then I changed my mind and turned around for it. Yeah, I'm an idiot that is a winning a race and actually turns around and runs the other direction. This set back made my final course on Garmin 13.18 (not too bad).
When I caught back up, the group had separated a bit. One guy fell back and another one had sped off. Myself and friend, Jack, would run the remainder of the race together. The pace was still so effortless that I talked a LOT. I tried to ask him questions, but he was struggling a bit and couldn't respond. I asked him if he wanted to me to shut up, and he laughed, saying he liked the distraction from his own pain.
6:44 (gel mile), 6:33, 6:31, 6:37
These miles were on an out-and-back section. We got to see all of our friends. It was really fun to cheer for everyone, and I even high-fived some folks. Jack was commenting on my energy, telling me to go ahead and just race. I didn't really want to, though, just enjoying how I was able to run fairly fast and feel so GREAT! Plus, 2nd female was about 2ish minutes behind, and I was pretty sure she wasn't going to gain.
Then we turned into the wind, which kind of sucked the Wow-This-Is-So-Fun-ness out of me. I turned from running cheerfully to running grouchily. Jack was starting to struggle. To help him I out, I got right in front of him (hoping to block the wind) and told him to get behind me. We were quiet for a few miles. He did great, and I told him to go get his final kick for a PR. I was going to settle back into my Run-Happy-ness and cruise in.
6:41, 6:42, 6:41
0.18 in 1:09
Final Time: 1:27:20
1st Overall Female, 11th finisher
As I was approaching the finish line, I was thinking how crazy it was that I was so close to my PR, yet this felt so effortless. It was this same feeling that made me feel a bit of regret in not tapering and committing to actually racing. It could've been a day for a half PR! I'm disappointed about that decision, but very grateful and happy for how strong I felt out there. I mean, to run only 5 seconds off PR and feel as good as I did really means SOMETHING. It means improvement. It means progress. YAY!
Ps. This Wednesday is my court date for the Mean Dogs. Let's hope for JUSTICE!
Awesome! So glad you felt good too. I want a race just like this...same times and everything for 2012! Thanks for the inspiration. :)
ReplyDeleteVery exciting! I've known the whole time you have it in you. Houston...watch out! :)
ReplyDeleteI love that you had a race experience like this! Even though you didn't PR, this one shows you what you're really capable of, with lots left over! Proud of you girl! I'm counting down til 1/8!
ReplyDeleteCongrats! At least you know where your fitness is! Running directly into the wind is the worst! I hope the court date goes well. Thinking of you!
ReplyDeleteLook out Houston.
ReplyDeleteyou were able to TALK while running 6:3X?? that is a VERY good sign! also, I think you get karma points for pacing a friend to a PR :D
ReplyDeleteFantastic! Great race....so much for that training run. :)
ReplyDelete