Today four of us in the Tuesday morning speed group had a "pre-race session". The pre-race session is for those either tapering for or recovering from a race, and consists of an extra long warm-up (about 3-4k...I should measure it sometime!) and then easy sets of 200m reps at our 5k race pace. We had originally 6 sets to do, but this was knocked down to 5 due to time constraints.
It was an effort for me! Sunday's 10k race will be interesting.
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Sunshine Coast 5k: The Last of the 5k Races
On race day, the weather felt like a perfect [Canadian] summer day for lying on the beach.
Translation: stinking hot for running a race!
The 5k start was at 10.15am, so at 10am I was pressed amidst a mass of sweaty bodies, feeling nauseated, wondering why I was doing this.
The adventure didn't start there. It started a couple hours before. I had planned to go up with a friend and asked her to drive. We were having a great time chatting in the car, until my friend asked me whether we'd hit the turn-off. As I looked at the sign and realized we were at Noosa (about 30min north of our planned destination), I discovered a communication error: both of us had assumed the other knew where to go!
Oops! Since looking at maps in a moving vehicle is a sure recipe for me to get car sick, my friend pulled over and we sorted out where to go. Well, I knew where to go, I just hadn't checked out how to get there!
Fortunately, I had planned for a 1-hour race buffer. 1 hour may sound like a lot of time, but there is lots to do:
1. Find parking in a spot far away - the only chance of getting a good spot is if your race is first up, which my little 5k was definitely not!
2. Walk to start line from far away parking spot
3. Wait in the loooong line of runners & supports to use one of the limited facilities (port-o-potties) available.
4. Warm-up for race
5. Line-up in good position for starting
Because of the gaffe, my pre-race routine was cut short. I decided to cut the warm-up. I knew my energy was limited so no point wasting it before the race starts!
And so as I stood swaying in the heat of the sun and trying to ignore the smell of the sweaty bodies around me, I decided that I really don't like racing 5ks.
I had seeded myself 1/3 of the way back through the crowd, thinking I would do decently but not fabulously. I shouldn't have bothered. Up near the front of the group amidst all the people keen to run hard was a large group of elderly walkers - distinguishable by their matching shirts that proudly stated their retirement home. Okay, I shouldn't stereotype. There may have been runners among them eager to show the young 'uns they could still kick butt. But there was one man with a cane and another who was using a fellow senior citizen as a balance post as she tottered on her feet, so I was doubtful they were running.
So much for a seeded start.
The gun went off and I decided nope, I won't be racing another 5k official race in a long time. I will stick with my 5k Park Runs, and my 5k fun runs, but I won't be racing another 5k race any time soon. It feels like the forgotten distance" - an after-thought to the other races, if you will. The start times are bizarre and if the words "racing etiquette" were spoken the participants would respond with "gesundheit". So why run it as a race, when I could save these 5k distances for fun runs with friends?
But on the other side, racing a 5k is very convenient when you're sick.
Translation: stinking hot for running a race!
The 5k start was at 10.15am, so at 10am I was pressed amidst a mass of sweaty bodies, feeling nauseated, wondering why I was doing this.
The adventure didn't start there. It started a couple hours before. I had planned to go up with a friend and asked her to drive. We were having a great time chatting in the car, until my friend asked me whether we'd hit the turn-off. As I looked at the sign and realized we were at Noosa (about 30min north of our planned destination), I discovered a communication error: both of us had assumed the other knew where to go!
Oops! Since looking at maps in a moving vehicle is a sure recipe for me to get car sick, my friend pulled over and we sorted out where to go. Well, I knew where to go, I just hadn't checked out how to get there!
Fortunately, I had planned for a 1-hour race buffer. 1 hour may sound like a lot of time, but there is lots to do:
1. Find parking in a spot far away - the only chance of getting a good spot is if your race is first up, which my little 5k was definitely not!
2. Walk to start line from far away parking spot
3. Wait in the loooong line of runners & supports to use one of the limited facilities (port-o-potties) available.
4. Warm-up for race
5. Line-up in good position for starting
This is about 1k into the race. And it was a mental battle not to walk!
And so as I stood swaying in the heat of the sun and trying to ignore the smell of the sweaty bodies around me, I decided that I really don't like racing 5ks.
I had seeded myself 1/3 of the way back through the crowd, thinking I would do decently but not fabulously. I shouldn't have bothered. Up near the front of the group amidst all the people keen to run hard was a large group of elderly walkers - distinguishable by their matching shirts that proudly stated their retirement home. Okay, I shouldn't stereotype. There may have been runners among them eager to show the young 'uns they could still kick butt. But there was one man with a cane and another who was using a fellow senior citizen as a balance post as she tottered on her feet, so I was doubtful they were running.
So much for a seeded start.
The gun went off and I decided nope, I won't be racing another 5k official race in a long time. I will stick with my 5k Park Runs, and my 5k fun runs, but I won't be racing another 5k race any time soon. It feels like the forgotten distance" - an after-thought to the other races, if you will. The start times are bizarre and if the words "racing etiquette" were spoken the participants would respond with "gesundheit". So why run it as a race, when I could save these 5k distances for fun runs with friends?
But on the other side, racing a 5k is very convenient when you're sick.
Hanging out at beautiful Coolum Beach (north of the race) with Kate. This time, we looked up directions before we left.
Saturday, August 24, 2013
Dedicated With Love
Last week, I learned that my grandmother had passed away unexpectedly. Both my grandparents have been such influential supporters of my running. When I write my blog, I am often thinking of them. It was with great sadness that I found out this news. Unfortunately for my race tomorrow, this news hit the same day that I got sick.
So instead of making the most of my last week of training before the Sunshine Coast 5k, I have spent the week curled up in bed with a box of tissues by my side.
Alas! I remember last time I had a sinus infection was right before my Gold Coast Half Marathon. Instead of using running gels, I got my sugar from cough drops. That race stands as my recorded PW ("personal worst") for a half marathon. Thankfully, this is just a 5k. I may not get the PB I was aiming for, but I know I'll stumble my way through it without too much drama.
So I haven't run this week. But I have still been involved with running. As you may know, I have fallen in love with the free Park Run events every Saturday. And one thing Park Run requests is that every runner gives back to the event by volunteering 3x a year. I have already signed up for my 3x, but I noticed (before I got sick) that they were still short a couple volunteers this week, so I put my hand up.
I used to think of running as an individual sport, but it's not. There's a real sense of community to it. And for a sport that has given me so much joy, it is great to be able to give back once in a while.
So today I sat on the sidelines and shared the joy of the runners after they crossed the finish line. Tomorrow, I will run the best 5k I can. And always, I will be remembering my grandmother with love.
So instead of making the most of my last week of training before the Sunshine Coast 5k, I have spent the week curled up in bed with a box of tissues by my side.
Visiting my fabulous grandparents in May this year
Alas! I remember last time I had a sinus infection was right before my Gold Coast Half Marathon. Instead of using running gels, I got my sugar from cough drops. That race stands as my recorded PW ("personal worst") for a half marathon. Thankfully, this is just a 5k. I may not get the PB I was aiming for, but I know I'll stumble my way through it without too much drama.
So I haven't run this week. But I have still been involved with running. As you may know, I have fallen in love with the free Park Run events every Saturday. And one thing Park Run requests is that every runner gives back to the event by volunteering 3x a year. I have already signed up for my 3x, but I noticed (before I got sick) that they were still short a couple volunteers this week, so I put my hand up.
I used to think of running as an individual sport, but it's not. There's a real sense of community to it. And for a sport that has given me so much joy, it is great to be able to give back once in a while.
Modelling the sexy orange volunteer outfits. I don't know about the others, but I volunteer just so I can wear the shirt.
So today I sat on the sidelines and shared the joy of the runners after they crossed the finish line. Tomorrow, I will run the best 5k I can. And always, I will be remembering my grandmother with love.
Friday, August 16, 2013
Spider Bridge
My goal today was to run for 60min. I thought about going for 10k, but time constraints made 60min more feasible.
I wasn't with a group, and faced a bit of a conundrum. Where do I run?
I opted somewhere different. I wanted to go out for 30min and back for 30min. The trouble was, I didn't realize until I arrived at my chosen destination that the new area I had hoped to explore was bike lane only. That is, no runners.
At this point some runners would say heck with this, I'm a runner NOT a walker. I won't disturb any cyclists. But I respect that cyclists have the right to pedestrian-free bike paths. Mostly I respect this for the right to turn up my nose and negatively judge any cyclist who bells or yells at me to move so they can pass me on the pedestrian-only areas. Once or twice I may even have self-righteously muttered under my breath, "this is a pedestrian-only path" or "wrong lane, buddy".
So instead I avoided the bike path, and turned to head across...SPIDER BRIDGE. (Not to be confused with the bridge I nicknamed "Spiderman Bridge", which is completely different)
I don't know the name of the actual bridge over the highway, but the first time I innocently walked across it, there were so many spiders webbed out along the covered walkway that I felt the need to walk in the middle with shoulders hunched, waiting for the moment when one of the many gi-normous spiders would pounce.
As many may know, two spider-bite scars have left me with a justifiable fear of spiders.
As I crossed this bridge I felt my heart rate pick up - and I don't think it was because of the hill. Thankfully, no spiders were staking out the bridge today. I survived the way out, and I survived the way back. I finished my run earlier than planned at about 52min. I considered running around the block once or twice to get to the full 60min, but decided I really couldn't be bothered.
I wasn't with a group, and faced a bit of a conundrum. Where do I run?
I opted somewhere different. I wanted to go out for 30min and back for 30min. The trouble was, I didn't realize until I arrived at my chosen destination that the new area I had hoped to explore was bike lane only. That is, no runners.
At this point some runners would say heck with this, I'm a runner NOT a walker. I won't disturb any cyclists. But I respect that cyclists have the right to pedestrian-free bike paths. Mostly I respect this for the right to turn up my nose and negatively judge any cyclist who bells or yells at me to move so they can pass me on the pedestrian-only areas. Once or twice I may even have self-righteously muttered under my breath, "this is a pedestrian-only path" or "wrong lane, buddy".
So instead I avoided the bike path, and turned to head across...SPIDER BRIDGE. (Not to be confused with the bridge I nicknamed "Spiderman Bridge", which is completely different)
I don't know the name of the actual bridge over the highway, but the first time I innocently walked across it, there were so many spiders webbed out along the covered walkway that I felt the need to walk in the middle with shoulders hunched, waiting for the moment when one of the many gi-normous spiders would pounce.
As many may know, two spider-bite scars have left me with a justifiable fear of spiders.
The Stuff of Nightmares!
As I crossed this bridge I felt my heart rate pick up - and I don't think it was because of the hill. Thankfully, no spiders were staking out the bridge today. I survived the way out, and I survived the way back. I finished my run earlier than planned at about 52min. I considered running around the block once or twice to get to the full 60min, but decided I really couldn't be bothered.
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Successfully Sly Surges
This morning at speed session we did something I've never done before - secret surges on 1k reps!
To do this, our coach divided us into different groups according to relative speed. Before we set off he would secretly tap someone in the group. (Sort of like back in the day where you used to play "murder in the dark" at birthday parties. Does anyone remember that?)
That person's job was to surge in the last 300m. Markers were set out so we would know when that point was. The other members of the group had to keep up with the person surging. The point of this endeavour was to practise a race condition, where we might be trying to sprint at the end of a race (or others might be sprinting around us and we want to keep up).
I was in a small but awesome group of three. In the first set I was not the one to surge. I kept the lead position for the first part of the rep and was wondering if anyone was going to catch me up to surge ahead.
I needn't have worried!
From out of nowhere one of my fellow group members came flying past me. I had to check her back to make sure no jet packs were on them - that's how fast she was going.
But I kept up - barely. I crossed the finish line and checked my lap time for that km. 4.31min. That is a new 1k-PB!!! (Previously held 1k PB was 4.34min)
I wasn't sure how this super speedy first rep would affect the other 1k reps we had on. I hit the 500m recovery walking.
As the reps continued, my times were right on the original target my coach gave me - 4.47, 4.48 respectively, which I was thrilled with. My last time was nothing exciting, but it was more to do with running with others in my group than because I felt fatigued.
Our group took a very easy recovery, since we were all working so hard.
I was only the secret surger once - in the second rep. I think that I preferred the challenge of keeping up with other runners who were surging more than I liked doing it myself. It's that competitive nature in me.
Although this wasn't a day we wrote our times down for our coach, I couldn't help bragging to him - and everyone else at training - just a little. And then a little more.
And maybe a little more after that.
To do this, our coach divided us into different groups according to relative speed. Before we set off he would secretly tap someone in the group. (Sort of like back in the day where you used to play "murder in the dark" at birthday parties. Does anyone remember that?)
That person's job was to surge in the last 300m. Markers were set out so we would know when that point was. The other members of the group had to keep up with the person surging. The point of this endeavour was to practise a race condition, where we might be trying to sprint at the end of a race (or others might be sprinting around us and we want to keep up).
I was in a small but awesome group of three. In the first set I was not the one to surge. I kept the lead position for the first part of the rep and was wondering if anyone was going to catch me up to surge ahead.
I needn't have worried!
From out of nowhere one of my fellow group members came flying past me. I had to check her back to make sure no jet packs were on them - that's how fast she was going.
But I kept up - barely. I crossed the finish line and checked my lap time for that km. 4.31min. That is a new 1k-PB!!! (Previously held 1k PB was 4.34min)
I wasn't sure how this super speedy first rep would affect the other 1k reps we had on. I hit the 500m recovery walking.
As the reps continued, my times were right on the original target my coach gave me - 4.47, 4.48 respectively, which I was thrilled with. My last time was nothing exciting, but it was more to do with running with others in my group than because I felt fatigued.
Our group took a very easy recovery, since we were all working so hard.
I was only the secret surger once - in the second rep. I think that I preferred the challenge of keeping up with other runners who were surging more than I liked doing it myself. It's that competitive nature in me.
Although this wasn't a day we wrote our times down for our coach, I couldn't help bragging to him - and everyone else at training - just a little. And then a little more.
And maybe a little more after that.
Sunday, August 11, 2013
Inner Arguments
I may have been a bit of a rebel today and not followed my program given by my coach. On this program I was supposed to do a 12k long run on Sunday at an endurance pace (6min/km). But then I did a 12k run on Thursday instead of the 10k run I was supposed to do (what can I say? I was keen!).
So really, that means that I should do my 10k endurance run on the weekend instead, right? That's what I thought, too.
So off I merrily went to Park Run. And I was sort of maybe thinking to myself, I've had a good couple of days of running. But today I don't feel so great. I should do an easy endurance run as is on my program.
And the other half of myself thought, I haven't done a threshold run [5.06min/km for 5k] in a LONG time. In fact, the last couple of times I've attempted to maintain this threshold pace I failed quite badly not able to maintain the pace and fading in the last 3k. I wonder if I could maintain that pace now...
And then I thought, no, I ate out TWICE yesterday. My stomach feels a bit funny and this is not the day to prove to myself. This is the day to take it easy. Follow the program!
BUT I have two more weeks until the big Sunshine Coast 5k. I need to prove to myself that things are picking up after last Sunday's race, and surely I can recover from a 5k threshold race in the next two weeks.
It's not in the program, Laura!
Of course it isn't...I really shouldn't...
And with the will-power born of someone who can never say no to chocolate, I gave in to the temptation and ran a threshold pace for Park Run.
I started with a 2k warm-up. I kept it easy from the start. I didn't want to pressure myself - especially the first km as everything is so busy it's hard to find a rhythm. And do you know what? Those first 3k - count it 3K!!! - were amazing. I had to slow myself down to a 5min pace constantly, as I found myself wanting to pull ahead and go faster, faster, faster! But I managed to resist the inner voice and keep to threshold pace.
The last 2k of the race were a bit more challenging, but I still stuck to the 5min pace with barely a struggle. I may have given in and sped up a wee little bit in the final km, but not much I swear!
I crossed the finish line in 25.22min and felt fabulous. Not only is it my tied-for-second-best 5k time ever, but I was holding back the entire time. And after I finished the race? I felt like I could have done it all over again!
I didn't though. This time I listened to the voice of reason: I finished with a 2k warm-down, and glowed in the after effects all day long.
So really, that means that I should do my 10k endurance run on the weekend instead, right? That's what I thought, too.
So off I merrily went to Park Run. And I was sort of maybe thinking to myself, I've had a good couple of days of running. But today I don't feel so great. I should do an easy endurance run as is on my program.
And the other half of myself thought, I haven't done a threshold run [5.06min/km for 5k] in a LONG time. In fact, the last couple of times I've attempted to maintain this threshold pace I failed quite badly not able to maintain the pace and fading in the last 3k. I wonder if I could maintain that pace now...
And then I thought, no, I ate out TWICE yesterday. My stomach feels a bit funny and this is not the day to prove to myself. This is the day to take it easy. Follow the program!
BUT I have two more weeks until the big Sunshine Coast 5k. I need to prove to myself that things are picking up after last Sunday's race, and surely I can recover from a 5k threshold race in the next two weeks.
It's not in the program, Laura!
Of course it isn't...I really shouldn't...
And with the will-power born of someone who can never say no to chocolate, I gave in to the temptation and ran a threshold pace for Park Run.
I started with a 2k warm-up. I kept it easy from the start. I didn't want to pressure myself - especially the first km as everything is so busy it's hard to find a rhythm. And do you know what? Those first 3k - count it 3K!!! - were amazing. I had to slow myself down to a 5min pace constantly, as I found myself wanting to pull ahead and go faster, faster, faster! But I managed to resist the inner voice and keep to threshold pace.
The last 2k of the race were a bit more challenging, but I still stuck to the 5min pace with barely a struggle. I may have given in and sped up a wee little bit in the final km, but not much I swear!
I crossed the finish line in 25.22min and felt fabulous. Not only is it my tied-for-second-best 5k time ever, but I was holding back the entire time. And after I finished the race? I felt like I could have done it all over again!
I didn't though. This time I listened to the voice of reason: I finished with a 2k warm-down, and glowed in the after effects all day long.
Thursday, August 8, 2013
Protein Power
I joined my running group at 5.15am (ugh!) this morning and we set off on a slightly hilly 10k loop. I even opted to go the extra few k's with two other gals. At the 5k mark we broke off from the others to loop around a park. Of the three of us who went around the loop together, one felt terrible, one felt okay, and I felt great. So mathematically speaking, we averaged out nicely.
It was a gorgeous morning - misty and quiet. One of the other gals gushed about the beautiful smells but since my nose was blocked for most of the run (due to the cold weather), I had to take her word for it. Still, it was such a lovely area to run in I could certainly imagine it would smell nice.
Total distance: 11.5km
Total time: about 75min
The pace felt easy and I felt strong. I could have pushed it faster and harder throughout the run, but I enjoyed the company and was just grateful I didn't get lost, running in a new area and all.
I'm trying to think of why I've felt so great this week, and I think it's because after Sunday's disaster I have stepped up my healthy eating...or at least, I've been trying to do so. But I've most definitely stepped up my protein intake!
Many of you may remember how not eating enough protein is my Achilles heel when it comes to training. Well, since coming back from holidays in June I admit I wasn't thinking much about protein. I was thinking more about chocolate, and peanut butter, and not wanting to cook (take-away, anyone?).
But Sunday's race was a kick in the bum that I needed, and I've decided that if I continue to eat badly I'll continue to run badly. So I've stocked up on high protein snacks, cleared my kitchen of unhealthy chocolate and raisin bread and red wine (yum, yum!), and now back on the healthy eating bandwagon I go!
It was a gorgeous morning - misty and quiet. One of the other gals gushed about the beautiful smells but since my nose was blocked for most of the run (due to the cold weather), I had to take her word for it. Still, it was such a lovely area to run in I could certainly imagine it would smell nice.
Total distance: 11.5km
Total time: about 75min
The pace felt easy and I felt strong. I could have pushed it faster and harder throughout the run, but I enjoyed the company and was just grateful I didn't get lost, running in a new area and all.
I'm trying to think of why I've felt so great this week, and I think it's because after Sunday's disaster I have stepped up my healthy eating...or at least, I've been trying to do so. But I've most definitely stepped up my protein intake!
Many of you may remember how not eating enough protein is my Achilles heel when it comes to training. Well, since coming back from holidays in June I admit I wasn't thinking much about protein. I was thinking more about chocolate, and peanut butter, and not wanting to cook (take-away, anyone?).
But Sunday's race was a kick in the bum that I needed, and I've decided that if I continue to eat badly I'll continue to run badly. So I've stocked up on high protein snacks, cleared my kitchen of unhealthy chocolate and raisin bread and red wine (yum, yum!), and now back on the healthy eating bandwagon I go!
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Life's Like That
First, thanks to the support I received from everyone! I got a lot of encouragement and it's great to know so many people believe in me & are behind me. A lot of people have pointed out "7th place out of 160 in your category! Why are you complaining?" And I answer that while the placement is nice, I'm ultimately competing against myself. If I had run a sub-25min but come in dead last in the race I would have been thrilled. But running a disappointing race leaves me...well, disappointed in myself.
Onwards to today! We had 5x 100m reps and 100m recovery followed by 3x1k splits with a 1k recovery jog in between. My legs felt quite leaden this morning so I wasn't expecting much. I kept to the 26sec pace my coach had set me for the 100m reps.
For the 1k splits, I was given a time of 4.48min/km. I was curious to see how I'd go. I had struggled so much in Sunday's 5k race and this morning I was definitely feeling more sluggish than before. Actually, it felt like someone had injected my legs with lead overnight.
I joined a couple other gals who were about my pace (or rather, slightly faster) and off we went. And in a twist that life gives you, I ran every 1k rep faster than I can remember. My split times were:
4.41 / 4.42 / 4.38
And I was slowing it down so I didn't burn myself out. In other words, I could have gone faster than what I did. It would have been interesting to see how I would have held up after 5 or 6 reps. Maybe I would have crashed and burned, but maybe I would have kept the consistency.
But still, for feeling so much worse today, I ran so much better! Life's funny like that, sometimes.
Onwards to today! We had 5x 100m reps and 100m recovery followed by 3x1k splits with a 1k recovery jog in between. My legs felt quite leaden this morning so I wasn't expecting much. I kept to the 26sec pace my coach had set me for the 100m reps.
For the 1k splits, I was given a time of 4.48min/km. I was curious to see how I'd go. I had struggled so much in Sunday's 5k race and this morning I was definitely feeling more sluggish than before. Actually, it felt like someone had injected my legs with lead overnight.
I joined a couple other gals who were about my pace (or rather, slightly faster) and off we went. And in a twist that life gives you, I ran every 1k rep faster than I can remember. My split times were:
4.41 / 4.42 / 4.38
And I was slowing it down so I didn't burn myself out. In other words, I could have gone faster than what I did. It would have been interesting to see how I would have held up after 5 or 6 reps. Maybe I would have crashed and burned, but maybe I would have kept the consistency.
But still, for feeling so much worse today, I ran so much better! Life's funny like that, sometimes.
Sunday, August 4, 2013
Discombobulated
The Big Race Day. Today was a "test race" to see how I'll go end of August at Sunshine Coast 5k (if I'm not called into work and can actually race!).
What can I say? While I'd like to say...
I guess I should try to stay positive and call it instead a "learning experience".
My friends & family have very kindly rallied behind me and offered me all sorts of excuses as to why I ran so much worse than I had wanted. But there is really no way I can weasel out of this.
I wasn't injured.
It wasn't (super) hot or humid.
I had slept average the night before.
I wasn't ill, or getting ill, or getting over being ill.
Chris & I travelling to the start and posing before the 5k map before we started out races.
In fact, I got to the start-line feeling more than capable of running an awesome race. My A-goal was sub-24.30 and my B-goal sub-25min. All faculties were fully functional and I had been getting butterflies all week in anticipation of how awesome this run would be.
Flustered from the start (you can see me towards the left of the screen)
And then it wasn't.
My coach had kindly suggested I start with a 4.55min/km and then get faster the second half, aiming for a sub-24.30min. It seemed so easy. I knew I was more than capable. After all, the first couple k's of a race I'm so full of energy and excitement I usually have to slow myself down! And after training so hard I had expected - as per usual - that keeping the pace to 4.55min for the first two km of the race would be a breeze. But for whatever reason, today it was a struggle from the first minute.
The gun went off and I was flustered to find my trusty (or not so trusty) gps watch wasn't working. Again.
I re-set it, but unfortunately the gps then took a while to pick up, meaning that I had no reliable watch to use until I got my bearings via the km markers.
Yes, those handy little markers that every race has for runners who don't have a working gps watch. I didn't see the first km marker and was starting to stress out that we wouldn't have any. My inward state of discombobulation continued.
But fortunately the second km marker was there, as were all the others, and I felt my inner mathematician relaxed. Now I could calculate out a race pace!
Passing by my lovely support crew, race photographer, & friend David at about 1.5km into the race. I was still trying to get my head into the right space.
Kudos to the crowd - one of the best race crowds I've experienced! People were cheering for me and calling out my name throughout the course. No, they weren't psychic - my first name was printed onto my bib in big bold letters.
At the 2nd km marker I was sitting at 9.55min. And I was exhausted. Instead of having to hold myself back these first 2k (as I'd thought I would have to do), I found myself having to push harder just to keep a 5-min pace. Then we hit the bridge. AKA, uphill. Because my race wasn't already going down the drain, it was time to hit me with a hill!
I'd like to say I dug deep. I'd like to say I found a way through the pain and pushed hard to have a WIN at the end of the race. I wish I could say that I triumphantly conquered the odds and met my goals with a smile on my face.
But then this would be a work of fiction.
Despite my best attempts, I slowed down. A lot.
To say I was disheartened would be an understatement. Running wreaks havoc with my emotions, putting me towards the extremes. (I hear it's true of lots of physical exercise). I was not disheartened - I was devastated. Thoughts of giving up danced through my mind. But I sucked it up. And I kept running.
At the 3k mark a fellow runner in my category had passed me. I let her go, as it was all I could do to put one foot in front of another. Going up on the bridge I noticed I'd closed the gap between us, but I was still too far back - and too close to giving up on myself - to give it much thought. But on the downhill side of the bridge I knew I had to give it my all. That despite it all - because of it all - I still had my signature "sprint" finish. When we came down from the bridge that second time, I knew the finish line was just around the corner. So off I sprinted and left that gal in the dust. I nearly ran over a few kids doing the 2.2k (it had started 15min after our race) but they were so spread out no mishaps occurred.
I passed through the finish line in 26.09min. Not even close to my goal time. For those into math, I was nearly 15sec/km slower than my B-goal. David caught a photo of me at the end that I think sums it all up...
What can I say? While I'd like to say...
My friends & family have very kindly rallied behind me and offered me all sorts of excuses as to why I ran so much worse than I had wanted. But there is really no way I can weasel out of this.
I wasn't injured.
It wasn't (super) hot or humid.
I had slept average the night before.
I wasn't ill, or getting ill, or getting over being ill.
Chris & I travelling to the start and posing before the 5k map before we started out races.
In fact, I got to the start-line feeling more than capable of running an awesome race. My A-goal was sub-24.30 and my B-goal sub-25min. All faculties were fully functional and I had been getting butterflies all week in anticipation of how awesome this run would be.
Flustered from the start (you can see me towards the left of the screen)
And then it wasn't.
My coach had kindly suggested I start with a 4.55min/km and then get faster the second half, aiming for a sub-24.30min. It seemed so easy. I knew I was more than capable. After all, the first couple k's of a race I'm so full of energy and excitement I usually have to slow myself down! And after training so hard I had expected - as per usual - that keeping the pace to 4.55min for the first two km of the race would be a breeze. But for whatever reason, today it was a struggle from the first minute.
The gun went off and I was flustered to find my trusty (or not so trusty) gps watch wasn't working. Again.
I re-set it, but unfortunately the gps then took a while to pick up, meaning that I had no reliable watch to use until I got my bearings via the km markers.
Yes, those handy little markers that every race has for runners who don't have a working gps watch. I didn't see the first km marker and was starting to stress out that we wouldn't have any. My inward state of discombobulation continued.
But fortunately the second km marker was there, as were all the others, and I felt my inner mathematician relaxed. Now I could calculate out a race pace!
Passing by my lovely support crew, race photographer, & friend David at about 1.5km into the race. I was still trying to get my head into the right space.
At the 2nd km marker I was sitting at 9.55min. And I was exhausted. Instead of having to hold myself back these first 2k (as I'd thought I would have to do), I found myself having to push harder just to keep a 5-min pace. Then we hit the bridge. AKA, uphill. Because my race wasn't already going down the drain, it was time to hit me with a hill!
I'd like to say I dug deep. I'd like to say I found a way through the pain and pushed hard to have a WIN at the end of the race. I wish I could say that I triumphantly conquered the odds and met my goals with a smile on my face.
But then this would be a work of fiction.
Despite my best attempts, I slowed down. A lot.
To say I was disheartened would be an understatement. Running wreaks havoc with my emotions, putting me towards the extremes. (I hear it's true of lots of physical exercise). I was not disheartened - I was devastated. Thoughts of giving up danced through my mind. But I sucked it up. And I kept running.
At the 3k mark a fellow runner in my category had passed me. I let her go, as it was all I could do to put one foot in front of another. Going up on the bridge I noticed I'd closed the gap between us, but I was still too far back - and too close to giving up on myself - to give it much thought. But on the downhill side of the bridge I knew I had to give it my all. That despite it all - because of it all - I still had my signature "sprint" finish. When we came down from the bridge that second time, I knew the finish line was just around the corner. So off I sprinted and left that gal in the dust. I nearly ran over a few kids doing the 2.2k (it had started 15min after our race) but they were so spread out no mishaps occurred.
Watch out, kids! I'm about to barrel you over! I am no one's friend in a race.
Thursday, August 1, 2013
Slightly Bored
7k endurance run. Not much to say about this one. I didn't feel like getting up before 5am to run with the group, so I opted to sleep in and go on my own.
Positive: sleep in!
Negative: running on my own.
Once I got dressed it wasn't so hard to get out the door. But the trouble was continuing on for 7k. I did a couple of loops rather than one big out and back. At first my mind was churning over with so many thoughts I was very appreciative for the time to sort things out in my head.
But after a while I found myself glancing at my watch, wondering when it would be over. Clearly, I didn't have a lot of thoughts to sort this morning!
Next run will be my 5k race on Sunday. My A-Goal is a pb (24.40) and my B-Goal is a sub-25min. Wish me luck!
Positive: sleep in!
Negative: running on my own.
Once I got dressed it wasn't so hard to get out the door. But the trouble was continuing on for 7k. I did a couple of loops rather than one big out and back. At first my mind was churning over with so many thoughts I was very appreciative for the time to sort things out in my head.
But after a while I found myself glancing at my watch, wondering when it would be over. Clearly, I didn't have a lot of thoughts to sort this morning!
Next run will be my 5k race on Sunday. My A-Goal is a pb (24.40) and my B-Goal is a sub-25min. Wish me luck!
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