I also got exceeding lazy about posting my goals for my first race of 2012, which was this morning. So call this a goals and post mortem at the same time.
First of all the race was the Black Cat 20 and 10 miler. I did the 10 miler; this was my second 10 miler ever. It doesn't seem to be that common a race distance so I don't know how many I'll end up doing. Randomly I saw someone posting about doing an 8K, and I couldn't even believe that was a distance. Makes no sense to me.
Anyway, goals. I was having a hard time getting A/B/C (absolute/probable/stretch goals) because one that I was considering seemed like good practice more than a goal. What I did have were:
A - PR. Considering my PR from my prior 10 miler was slower than my current slow run pace, I figured unless I slammed face first into the pavement (sneak peak - I didn't) that I was safe with this.
B - 1:40. It's a nice round number, exactly 10 minute miles.
C - This is where I ran into trouble. I was torn between setting a goal of hitting McMillan prediction (1:39:47, based on my last race) and trying to negative split. I don't think I ended up on a decision, so I really went in with A and B goals only.
So - race. The race was in Salem, MA, which apparently I only visit to race? It's not that far away and it's full of historic interest - get on the ball, chick! Anyway - I was 90% prepared when I got to the race. The missing %? My stupid brain which forgot blister band aids that I've been living on recently (new shoes are needed desperately) and my sunglasses. Luckily I ended up not really needing either.
I got to the race location half an hour early with the expectation that I would do an actual warmup mile or two before the race, instead of taking the first couple miles in the race at a slower pace. That decision went out the window when I saw that I could wait on line for bathrooms inside instead of using port-a-potties. Once I was done peeing I did some stretching and went out to the start.
It was a bit chilly but not that bad. I really didn't hear the start announcement and only knew what was going on when people ahead of me started moving. I also was very lucky that I kept my eyes on the road, because giant pothole right at the start!
Not much going on during the actual race. ~mile 2 the voice in my head piped up, right on schedule - "Do you really think you can do this? Maybe you should slow down. Walking sounds good. You're breathing pretty hard...". Ignored.
Also around mile 2 there was a woman with disturbingly tight shorts ahead of me. Serious wedgie. She had incredibly awesome legs but those shorts... I really was glad when I passed her because they were seriously creeping me out.
The description of the course said - "The only big hill is entering into Marblehead, there are a few other hills on the course but nothing major." I don't know when they imported Mt Everest to MA, but it must have been right before this race. It was a big hill alright but I felt good powering up it. I was also happy that the course was a loop so I got to run down it on the way back.
This was the first race where I didn't walk through the two water stops that I ended up using. I splashed myself pretty good on the first, did the squeeze sides of cup on the second which worked well.
Mile 8 the voice came back - "You still have two miles to go - maybe you should slow down? You're going to trip yourself". Stupid voice! I don't listen to you!
I wanted to kick it up in the last mile. I didn't kick it up as much as I have before, but I think that's a good thing? I didn't leave much on the course?
My result - 1:35:40. Almost 4 minutes faster than I was going for. Wow. Where did that come from? So goals A and B definitively met, as well as beating McMillan. Did negative split - first 5 miles were 48:28.
All this makes me excited for my half in two weeks. I'm gonna bring it!
2 comments:
I'm glad I'm not the only one who was surprised by the hills!
Congrats on your PR!
Fantastic job!
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