This was a really awesome 7 mile race for me...and a 6.1 mile progressive melt down. The only thing consistent for me so far in 2014 is that I kind of consistently suck and I consistently start out at what I was capable of in 2013 instead of 2014. This is a good lesson for me in realizing that I need to race where I'm at now instead of what I want.
I most definitely started out too fast and ended up running exactly what I thought I was capable of this year (my pre-race projection was 1:22-1:23) but it was oh so very ugly. I felt fantastic the first 7 miles of the race like wow maybe I swallowed some magic beans or something...it was all unicorns and glitter! I ran behind Jen...knowing she is in much better shape than me right now...yet I stuck close to her anyway. Maybe I was faster than I thought? dun, dun, dun......I know this was dumb but I did feel really good. My breathing was not labored, and I felt like maybe I could go even faster! hahaha! Things started to get a little harder at mile 7 and then by mile 10 there wasn't a positive affirmation I could tell myself to get my body to move faster. I am mentally strong but what happened Saturday was a complete physical bonk. It was almost something I haven't really ever experienced in running to this degree...at least not in running just a half marathon. I tried mile dedications, I tried every shiny mantra I could think of....but the bottom line is my legs quit working and there wasn't anything I could do about that. When the legs quit working eventually the brain will follow and by mile 11 I was checked out. My only goal became getting to those dang balloons that meant I could quit moving my body. Eventually the end did come and I was ever so grateful!
Splits: 6:11, 5:59, 6:15, 6:02, 6:04, 6:09, 6:13, 6:21, 6:25, 6:28, 6:39, 6:33, 6:33...sprinted in at a whopping 6:18 pace!
Ran a 2 mile warm up and then a 4 mile cooldown with my sister. I was planning on a super slow cool down but my sister wanted to jump in on the 5K and when Amber races she means business. I trotted behind her and tried to keep up. 19 miles with zero fluids...I practically thought I was going to faint by the end and was so happy to see water I could have hugged a volunteer.
Lots to learn from this one but I'm still in the process of figuring that lesson out so I'll leave the report at this. I love running and I love hanging out with runners but gosh I did not love this race!
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