This morning ended up being a perfect morning for a race - temps in the the high 40's, low 50's, cloudy but no rain. My alarm went off at 5:00 a.m. and I was up (only a little bit reluctantly) packing a backpack of snacks and toys for Sophie, eating my pre-race Fruit Loops and english muffin, and digging through the laundry room for clean running clothes. By 6:15, my mom, Sophie and I were on the road to St. Cloud.
I felt very chaotic before the race - nervous about getting my race packet and making a trip to the porta potties with enough time to the start. Not sure why I was anxious, I had plenty of time. At 8:30, we were off. The first 7 miles of the race felt very easy. I was averaging right around a 9:00/mile pace and felt strong. I started getting tired in the middle of the 8th mile. I revived a little bit during the 9th mile, but then felt very tired going into mile 10.
My fueling was off, which I think was part of the problem. I took about half a packet of sports beans at mile 5 and then didn't have any more until about halfway through mile 10, where I all of a sudden needed them right now. After taking them, I was desperate for water, and there wasn't another water stop until shortly after mile 12.
Anyhow . . . I slowed down those last couple of miles. Ended up finishing in 2:02:36. This is a big PR for me -- almost 6 minutes. And, at a 9:22/mile overall pace, I met my goal. So I am very happy about the race. But a tiny part of me is disappointed in myself. I was definitely on track for a sub-2 until mile 10. Now, 10+ hours later, I don't know why I couldn't push myself to keep that pace up and finish in under 2 hours. At the time, it seemed impossible. Oh well . . . can't be perfect, otherwise I wouldn't have a reason to keep running!
Hope you are all having a great weekend, and GOOD LUCK to everyone running Boston on Monday. Can't wait to read the race reports.
15 comments:
Great job on the race! You'll get that sub-2 next time. It's funny how in the moment you think, I have to slow down, but later you're convinced you could have done it. Kind of reminds me of the selective amnesia about childbirth LOL.
Congrats on a great time!
MCM Mama
Congrats on the race! I just commented on your last post... thought that was today and that you were racing tomorrow, sorry about that! You did fantastic!
Great job! If there is anything I have learned, it's that we can't control everything. Races are what they are and we learn from them and move on. :) You ran a great time! And I know you'll run one sub 2 hours very soon!!
Woohoo! Congrats on the PR!
Sub-2 around the corner :)
You ran a great race. Congratulations! That sub-2-hour 1/2 is not far away at all.
Way to PR. Six minutes is huge. Congratulations!! Enjoy what is left of the weekend.
Sweet PR! Great job, you!
You did GREAT!!!
Great job on your half and with that PR. I also ran an 1/2 today with NO fuel b/c I thought there were to be gels and there were not, so it was brutal.
A 6 minute PR is TERRIFIC!! Great job!
Way to go on you PR. Don't second guess what you did, just learn and adapt for the next one. Great Job!
Way to go!!! Congrats on an excellent time. Glad to hear I am not the only one with laundry issues. :)
CONGRATS!!! thats an awesome PR! you should be very proud of yourself!!! I always second guess myself after races too and think I could have pushed harder, we just have to remember that in that moment we gave it all we had :) CONGRATS again!
Awesome PR! woo hooo you!
In EVERY SINGLE half marathon that I have completed, I start to slip in mile 10 and lose valuable minutes. So frustrating and still trying to figure out WHY!
Congratulations - you still ran a great race and that's a sweet PR!
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