Backwards Racing for the 4th
I feel like I’m about to write the same list of excuses for
my bad race again for the who knows number of times! Sorry instead of
subjecting everyone once again to my list again I’ll be brief on yesterday’s
half marathon. We have run this race every 4th of July since it
started in 2010 and have no plans of stopping. It is a great way to start the
day.
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The race begins at 6:30am so this meant a nice and early
wake up after 3 other middle of the night wake ups from a 3 year old who now
goes to bed fine but doesn’t stay there all night. I woke up that morning just
not fully awake and feeling kind of blah (for lack of better words). I had a
sore left quad and right glute (lots of leg work on Tuesday, dumb move!) and
was just not feeling the race, it was hot and humid for the first time since
last summer.
Luckily I had team tent access so this meant a smaller bag
drop and short port-a-potty lines J I also ran in to a
friend from high school in the team area, great to catch up a little as we
walked to the start line. I decided to make an attempt at racing but no where
aiming for a PR and lined up between the 7 and 8min pace figuring a 7:30 would
be comfortable. Boy was I wrong! Less than 1 Mile in and I knew this was not
going to be fun. Immediately I was overheating, legs (not hamstring J)
were sore, then a few miles in a headache crept in. I decided I needed some
electrolytes, but this only resulted in tummy issues (must buy more Huma Gel!).
The course winds through some neighborhoods and along a golf course and the
middle is hilly! I hit the stretch of hills from Mile 6-7 and knew I needed to
take these easy if I didn’t want to have issues with my hamstring. I started
walking and talked a little with another runner. We were both injured and
running much slower than our normal paces and it honestly helped to talk to
someone else who said “screw the time, let’s enjoy the run” J
She soon slowed to support a friend and I headed on. Threw on some good music
and decided to just let the iPod push me along.
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| Notice the Nike in the back?? |
I was happy that the hamstring was not one of my issues, but
knew my goal of a sub 1:40 was not happening. I was getting warmer and decided
to shed the tank for the last mile. In the process I discovered the tie of my
shorts was in the back! What?? No wonder why they felt strange when I started running.
Now I am nearly laughing as I realize I have my shorts on backwards. Oh, wow…seriously
how does this happen? I guess this confirms that I am tired and focused on much
bigger things: upcoming boards, some answers on health issues, this hamstring
injury, etc. I ran the final mile now knowing why my favorite shorts were not
feeling great! I crossed having no idea
of my time and actually not caring. I grabbed ice for my hamstring to be safe
and headed to watch the rest of the race and see Matt and my dad (who ran a new
PR- 2:06) finish.
I Love being able to enter the team tent, the end of the
race has chips, bananas, hot dogs (not veggie dogs L) and popsicles but the
team tent has pineapple and watermelon, yum (and cupcakes but who cares). I
grabbed my plate full of fruit and my bag. It was a reminder of where racing s
headed when I was not allowed to check my own bag and there were signs all over
“Do Not Leave Bags Unattended” ugh, it is sad that things need to be like this
but I fully understand. Are you seeing
changes at races to increase safety?
I have decided that I just need to focus on the comeback. As
I think about it I have not done any speedwork in months so I honestly can’t
expect to race great when I only run easy! Time to ease back in as the leg is
better and focus on my goal half in 2 months and goal marathon in October.
Hope everyone had a
fun and safe 4th of July!
Wow it sounds like you have lots going on, but I'm glad your hamstring is my giving you trouble. It can be such a pain in the behind! And oh my goodness, I had to giggle at the backwards short because mostly your expression in the photos is like "meeehhh, whatever. Im tired...".
ReplyDeleteMaria @ Asphalt & Traiks
Right, what else can you do but laugh, right?!
DeleteAnother race in the books! Nice work, Jen. The pr will come... sounds like your body needs a little more rest, a little more sleep, and a little less stress. :) You'll have that strong race soon!
ReplyDeleteThanks Laura, I agree. These last weeks/months have been crazy and I am happy to be pain free and using runs for stress relief now :)
DeleteWay to get it done Jen! It's hard to have everything together training and race-wise when there's so much other stuff going on. I definitely noticed safety changes at races. Sad it as come to this but it sure won't stop me from racing.
ReplyDeleteIt sure won't stop me either but does make you think twice about things.
DeleteAfter my race yesterday I realllly wanted some juicy fruit - it sounded so great in the heat! You still got your race done - another one in the books - we learn about ourselves each and every time! I hope you enjoyed the rest of your holiday!
ReplyDeleteFruit is the best after a hot race :) So true about learning from each race!
DeleteWay to go Jen! So funny that your shorts were backwards! Wish it had been a better race for you but it's another one done! I haven't raced since the events at Boston so I'm not sure how the security and changes will be. My next race is not until October so I'll see then.
ReplyDeleteThis was the first time I have seen changes but it was also July 4th and put on by the biggest race organization around here.
DeleteYou sound like you're where I was a week ago. You've got so much going on. A little rest, time and refocusing will work wonders. I can't think of any changes since Boston. I was sure there would be something different at the Flying Pig.
ReplyDeleteMy plans exactly! :) It is tough at times to realize this is what we need but I know it is best.
DeleteLOL at having your shorts on backwards!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry your race wasn't what you hoped, but it sounds like you will be back to your a-game soon!
Interesting (and sad) to hear about security changes.
I thought it was pretty funny too :)
DeleteIt is sad at the changes but not unexpected.
I think that between all the night wake-up calls and the early morning show time, the fact that you got up, went and ran and finished is awesome!!!
ReplyDeleteThe backwards shorts made me laugh because I might do that frequently in the mornings!!
Good to hear I'm not the only one. With everything else I am happy with the race :)
DeleteCongrats on a fun race. Hilarious about the shorts!
ReplyDeleteI do not understand why you keep running those races?!? You sound like you are frustrated and you do not enjoy it. You are injured, you cannot run as you would like to but you keep pushing it and pushing it but of course you always fall short off your gial time and then you get frustrated again. Sometimes you even reinujure yourself.
ReplyDeleteAll your races this year follow the same pattern- you cannot train because something hurt, you have a time goal anyway, you run, you fall short of that goal, your leg starts hurting again, it frustrates you. Every single race report is like
that! (just reread them) Why do you do it to yourself? Why dont you take a break from races because with each of them you are getting more and more desperate?
It is not quiting, it is not making excuses!!!! You are injured, tired and stressed because of everything else going on so give yourself a break. Dont race just because you said you were going to do 13 in 13 challenge. Is that why you keep doing those races?
I am genuinly interested to know why you keep pushing it, what drives you to go through ut at this point.
I think there are many reasons and mostly because I love running, yes even though I have been disappointed by races and have time gals most it is just to have something and I know I won't reach it. I am okay with that lately I run for fun. Like I said this race my leg soreness came from a tough workout not the injury. I know I have been injured and am working on it, more of the lack of racing well comes from lack of good training. For me it is not about the 13 in 13, honestly I don't care if I do that or not. I have taken a lot of time off the past 2 months and am nearly back to pain free all the time but I have not trained well, no speed work since March and I know I won't race well. I am just happy to be running and so I do it. I know I still complain but I guess that is just me, even injured I expect more from myself. Heck even when I PR'd I wanted more!
DeleteThis race in particular is a tradition for us and I was registered. I am not doing more races until late August and beyond and those are my real goals so at this point I am fully focused on coming back. My doc, trainer and I all knew these races weren't going to be great times but I was cleared and decided why not. I am happy I did, each it a learning experience and I am playing with fueling just like a training run.