When the body rebels: 10 mile race

I almost didn't write about this race, but I guess we can't always talk about the good and leave out the bad. A couple days ago we decided on one final race for the year, a 10 Mile to raise money for college scholarships.
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The weather was perfect, but everything else was against me; a noon start, "gaining" 1 hour but a child who woke at 4:15am and refused to nap, and as we started my body rebelled in nearly every way. After the mental talk last week I told myself I was going to push through and see what I could do.

The race was small, no chip time and about 150 people running. The course was a nice loop around a lake, but hilly! I began with such high hopes but those were quickly knocked down when it hurt to breath, I could barely take in a deep breath despite running a pace I can easily hold for 10 miles. I sounded like the person you pass and wonder if they will make it. I have been dealing with a slight cold, but didn't think it was this bad. I tried holding my pace but quickly slowed, I just could not physically do this. Mile 5: 37:30 (hoping to be under 35:00).

Hill after hill I struggle with my breathing until the pain has now moved to include extreme lower abdomen pain too around mile 6. Just keep moving, now MIle 7 and my left hamstring is getting in on the pain game too after all the those hills it too is pissed. I know the flat miles are coming and so is the end. I am finally catching the girl ahead of me and hold on as best I can. Finally the finish line at 1:14, ugh. The strange part, I think I ran my first negative split ever in a race despite this being my worst race in a long time!

Okay so that is behind me and I will move on. No more racing, besides a couple fun 5Ks for awhile. Just focus on strength and health. How do you move on beyond a tough race?

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Comments

  1. jillconyersNovember 5, 2012 at 5:10 AM

    I have found that the only thing that helps after a tough race is time. If you find a better [and quicker] way to move on let me know :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Coach JenNovember 10, 2012 at 6:48 AM

      Sorry, think you are right time is the only answer.

      Delete
  2. Suz and AllanNovember 5, 2012 at 11:18 AM

    Enjoy the down time from racing to focus on being healthy and strong!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Coach JenNovember 10, 2012 at 6:49 AM

      This is my plan, no pushing just improving and listening to my body.

      Delete
  3. Mommy Run FastNovember 5, 2012 at 2:07 PM

    Waking up that early is rough! Toddlers make daylight savings so difficult. And a noon start is not fun, either. But that's still a very decent time! Congrats on pushing through!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Coach JenNovember 10, 2012 at 6:50 AM

      I used to enjoy the extra hour before having a child, now I dread the time changes!

      Delete
  4. UnknownNovember 5, 2012 at 5:19 PM

    I think the lack of sleep has a huge affect on our bodies and we don't even realize it. My 9 year old still doesn't sleep in and it's so super annoying. Some day I know I'll complain that he sleeps until noon, but not yet.

    I had an awful race last weekend and am just trying to look at it as a learning experience. Our bodies don't always cooperate, there's nothing we can do about it. It's a good lesson in learning to let go.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Coach JenNovember 10, 2012 at 6:55 AM

      This is key, we need to learn from every race: what went right, what went wrong and improve on it :) Then move on and accept how things happened.

      Delete
  5. UnknownNovember 5, 2012 at 7:04 PM

    awww im sorry you didn't have the race you hoped for! I love 5K's though they are short and you can just do them for fun! No pressure and if you aren't feeling it no worries you are done in 3.1 miles! (:

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Coach JenNovember 10, 2012 at 6:57 AM

      I am the opposite, I hate 5Ks at least racing them, fun runs are great!

      Delete
  6. Rachelle QNovember 6, 2012 at 9:48 AM

    Nice job pushing through:) Sorry you struggled, but a negative split when feeling crummy is amazing! I just had a tough one myself and I decided to give myself a break from real racing for a couple months. Hope it helps:) BTW you get to pick the first prize from my virtual race! Woohoo! I sent you an email. Let me know if you didn't get it:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Coach JenNovember 10, 2012 at 6:58 AM

      I am focusing on the negative split! Yes, a much needed racing break for me too :)

      Delete

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