An okay time for an okay performance. Wasn't feeling it today. I just never found that desire to really push into the super pain zone. I tried to keep a steady pace--felt okay until mile 10 and then my legs just seemed to lose strength and it was hard to keep rocking steady. I am a bit disappointed in my time, but think this is an honest assessment of my fitness so now I know where I am fitness-wise, and not just where I WISH I was. It will come with time. The course was basically flat, a few ups and downs getting down by the river and then back up on the road here and there, but mostly flat. Hydrated well the last few days, got up early enough to eat toast and a banana, and never got anything during the aid stations at the race--a habit I'd better break for the marathon in 4 weeks. :Left glute and right foot were okay during the race, but are killing me now! No crazy time goals for the marathon, but hope I don't fall apart and am able to BQ. Warmed up 1.25 easy with a few strides. 1--6:58--trying to take it easy, a whole mass of jackrabbits takes off in front of me 2--7:10--still taking it easy 3--7:06--trying to speed up a bit but it really isn't happening, pass a few of the jackrabbits 4--7:08--this speed is just the way it is I guess 5--7:12--See my husband and daughter! I wave! 6.--7:09--just cruising along 7--7:21--Don't know what happened here. I see a few gals in sight 8--7:07--heading back up where the course goes over itself, and are passing a bunch of runners coming the other direction 9--7:12--someone tells me I am 9th woman 10--7:13--pass one of the girls, she looks awfully tired. this should put me in 8th 11--7:20--oh dear. getting tired. left leg feels weird. no pain or anything but it just doesn't have much power, getting all the stride power from my right leg now. this is probably a manifestation of whatever has been going on with my left hip/butt. A 40ish lady comes blowing by me and man she is cooking. She just keeps going full speed ahead. Man she looks strong. Is that you Julie?:) She quickly opens up a huge gap and is gone. I am closing in on another girl right now 12--7:28--still trying to catch that girl. am using shorter strides trying to work with this weird dead left leg 13--7:24--I pass her. somehow. Try to surge into some speed but it's not happening. It's just not happening Don't know about the last little bit. I stopped my watch late, after I had walked out of the finish chute. It shows 13.21 miles. This is a certified course so I didn't get my tangents quite right.
Am ashamed to admit I probably could have pushed harder as my breathing never got really hard during the race. I need to get back to the strength drills on my legs, I should have never let myself quit doing those. Well, I'm going to go get in the shower now and do some homework while Vanessa naps.
| 