Starting To Race Again
This past Saturday was a local 3.7 mile race, it runs 1 loop around a lake giving it the weird distance. I have run this 2 or 3 times in the past, most recently 4 years ago when I finished 2nd in my AG with a time of 28:00. I rarely race anything under a half marathon. Let's be honest, I hate the feeling of pushing so hard you hurt! I'd rather suffer to a little less extent for a longer time!
Earlier in the week the weather was perfect for running, 60s and cloudy, but come Saturday the heat wave returned, hot humid ad heat index reaching 100+, yuck! Friday evening Cooper startled when someone came to the door and used my foot/ankle as a launching pad resulting in multiple scratches and a deeper cut right on the top of my foot where my laces hit! I had no idea if this would cause me pain to run.
We got there with a little time to spare, I took an easy warm up run to adjust the laces to not rub then met up with some MRTT friends. We complained about the heat and got ready to run.
I lined up just behind the high school boys, not wanting to lose time being further back. The race is a gun start but chip timed at finish. My goal start slower and speed up through the middle miles to allow a slower last 1/2 mile on this nasty uphill! I also wanted to beat my previous time and place in my AG.
I started behind a few other women knowing I couldn't get caught up in the start. After about 1/2 mile I knew I could pick up from the 7:25 pace I was running but may have taken it a little too far as I hit 1 mile 6:58, oops! I had just passed 3 women and had no idea who was ahead of me. I told myself to slow a light to not crash and burn after 2 miles.
About 1.75 there was a water stop, normally on this distance I would skip but the heat was coming and there was no more shade on the course so I drank a little and dumped. With the plastic cups I had to walk to do this. Mile 2 7:17 Over half way I realize I can easily beat my 28:00 and probably even 27:00!
Mile 3 7:09 but the mile 3 marker was no where to be seen! All the previous had been early. The guy I was running near said he was seeing the same, we were guessing it was marked from the finish. Okay good, I wasn't going to be happy if I had extra to run! About 3.25 I passed a group of spectators (some of the few on the course) and was informed that I was the 1st woman! 3.5 here is the nasty hill, steep and short, just get up this hill and the end is downhill. I reach the top of the hill and pick up the pace through the finish line as I pass my friend Sara who is the RD. 26:40!! 1st woman. Official time 26:43 thanks to gun start. The best (or worst) part is I feel like I could have pushed more, had more to leave on the course. But I am thrilled that my body cooperated and ran that well.
Mentally this was the race I needed, I had moments where I doubted myself and wanted to slow but I convinced myself to keep pushing. I picked out runners as my targets. I felt strong. It was great to come up the hill and see O cheering for me and knowing her mom had just won. The foot was a little sore and had broke open in a small spot, not a smart idea to wear white socks!
MRTT had a strong presence Jess, Amy and I placed 1st, 3rd, 4th overall women! I have already set my goal for next year to run under 26:30! O also wants to run it next year.
Earlier in the week the weather was perfect for running, 60s and cloudy, but come Saturday the heat wave returned, hot humid ad heat index reaching 100+, yuck! Friday evening Cooper startled when someone came to the door and used my foot/ankle as a launching pad resulting in multiple scratches and a deeper cut right on the top of my foot where my laces hit! I had no idea if this would cause me pain to run.
We got there with a little time to spare, I took an easy warm up run to adjust the laces to not rub then met up with some MRTT friends. We complained about the heat and got ready to run.
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I started behind a few other women knowing I couldn't get caught up in the start. After about 1/2 mile I knew I could pick up from the 7:25 pace I was running but may have taken it a little too far as I hit 1 mile 6:58, oops! I had just passed 3 women and had no idea who was ahead of me. I told myself to slow a light to not crash and burn after 2 miles.
About 1.75 there was a water stop, normally on this distance I would skip but the heat was coming and there was no more shade on the course so I drank a little and dumped. With the plastic cups I had to walk to do this. Mile 2 7:17 Over half way I realize I can easily beat my 28:00 and probably even 27:00!
Mile 3 7:09 but the mile 3 marker was no where to be seen! All the previous had been early. The guy I was running near said he was seeing the same, we were guessing it was marked from the finish. Okay good, I wasn't going to be happy if I had extra to run! About 3.25 I passed a group of spectators (some of the few on the course) and was informed that I was the 1st woman! 3.5 here is the nasty hill, steep and short, just get up this hill and the end is downhill. I reach the top of the hill and pick up the pace through the finish line as I pass my friend Sara who is the RD. 26:40!! 1st woman. Official time 26:43 thanks to gun start. The best (or worst) part is I feel like I could have pushed more, had more to leave on the course. But I am thrilled that my body cooperated and ran that well.
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Mentally this was the race I needed, I had moments where I doubted myself and wanted to slow but I convinced myself to keep pushing. I picked out runners as my targets. I felt strong. It was great to come up the hill and see O cheering for me and knowing her mom had just won. The foot was a little sore and had broke open in a small spot, not a smart idea to wear white socks!
MRTT had a strong presence Jess, Amy and I placed 1st, 3rd, 4th overall women! I have already set my goal for next year to run under 26:30! O also wants to run it next year.
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After the awards I finished my 6 mile run and ran 2 miles to where the kids run was. Arriving just in time to see them start. O ran with a friend and they met their goal of beating her friend's older brother! Way to go girls!
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