Going into this race my confidence was high. When Scott asked me if I was open to him running with me and pacing me I was all for it. I seriously can't thank him enough. Based on the workout we had on the course last week I was confident that I could run ~1:13 and if the day was right that I could be closer to 1:12. The plan was to start conservative and ease into it, which is how I normally run my races. I have always thought of myself as conservative and patient but this experience pointed out some things that I can work on moving forward that will help me.Some of the thoughts contained in the race report to follow did not go through my head during the race, they are reflections from the last day that I have added in. I welcome feedback or input as always. I still think I have a lot of room to improve and love opinions :).
I had a good warm up but the closer it got to time the more nervous I got. I had to continually remind myself to calm down. 1000+ people singing to Hawk Harper for his birthday helped to do that and bring the fun vibe back. Also, one of my most favorite things is lining up with all of friends and really everyone else at the start. I love that energy. Soon enough it was time. We started the race off and saw the leaders take off quick. I was happy to see Matt charge out but not get caught up in the initial sprint fest. Mentally I wished him well and then got into race mode. Scott and I were through the first mile in 5:42, which was just perfect as far as plan was concerned. From there it was evident that it was going to be 3 of us for what I thought would be the rest of the race. Scott, Spencer Evensen, and me. I was glad there were 3 of us. As the pace lowered I thought the effort felt right and we all seemed to be going together instead of pushing and pulling each other. It was a good feeling. Now for the start of the learnings :). I found out that I am quite impatient. I could see Dave, Bryce, and Brick not too far ahead every time the road opened up. Whenever this occurred in the first 4-5 miles I would immediately and almost subconciously pick it up too much. Scott would tell me to calm down and I'd look at the watch and be at 5:00 or under pace. This is good to know because I need to learn to let people gradually come back at a farther distance. I also didn't know that I do that so much during a race but I do. For me it can't be the best course to continually dip well under what a sustainable pace is. Miles 2-6 were 5:34, 5:26, 5:28, 5:33, and 5:25. I was just under 34:00 at the 10k which is a huge aided PR and I was feeling fine. I could see Dave was coming back and I new that we were going to catch him. Scott had been concerned about a possible pebble in his shoe. It was effecting his gait and stride. I knew he would eventually have to stop and take care of it but I wasn't worried. Spencer was still with us and I felt great. It was so nice to have Scott's coaching along the way. Reminders about using arms, running the tangents, easing up in sections that could be used for recovery, etc. So many good reminders and tips I hadn't thought of, the using the mallet arm swing was great on the hill at 7 :). Mile 7 was 5:39 and that was with the hill so I was happy. I knew we'd be on the bike path soon. We passed Dave and wished him well and then Scott was ready to take care of that pesky pebble. Just before the mile 8 marker I wanted to be sure to get my GU in my mouth and even stop if necessary to get enough water down so my mouth would not be left sticky. I did end up slowing WAY down to make sure to not lose the fluid out of the cup, take a few deeps breaths, wash the GU down and continue. Even with the stop mile 8 was 5:44. Spencer gapped me on this slow/stop and I wanted to get back up to him. I think this is where I made a possible error pushing it to get back to him. By the time I caught him and with the rollers on the bike path I was feeling the pace and went over that magic line and my breathing went out of sorts. I stayed with Spencer and tried to draft to recover but it just wasn't going to happen. I started to get nervous again and slowed up to try and get some air. Mile 9 5:45. I was confident that I could get it going again if I could get my breathing back under control. The workout last week the last 3 miles of the course were 5:42, 5:39, and 5:42. I would be very happy with that so I focused on gettign back under control before the mile 10 marker. Form, cadence, breathe, light feet. I kept thinking these things and then I started to hear footsteps coming up behind me. I did not look back the whole race and although it did initially startle me I knew it had to be Scott lol. Sure enough when he got closer he told me "it's just me". Pretty humbling stuff to have him stop, take off shoes and fix things, find blisters, put shoes back on, get going again and catch me in under two miles haha :). I was really grateful to have him back. Mile 10 was 5:57... uh oh. Scott broke the wind and let me draft up the hill during mile 10. My breathing was all over the place and I didn't feel the same power going up the hill and after that I felt last week. I just tried to stay positive and keep going. Every time I felt like I was picking it back up and feelign good I'd glance at the watch and find the pace hovering around 5:50. A little disheartening since I ran it so well last week but now I'm almost there. Mile 11 5:55. Mile 12 also 5:55.
Scott's encouragement was so helpful during the end of the race. I actually felt much better as we made that turn on to the long straight towards the park but I just couldn't get the legs to turnover. I was doing mental math and knew I would have to get the legs moving much faster to crack 1:13, and I hadn't given up yet, but it wasn't meant to be for the day. Dan was also there in spirit and it was helpful to draw inspiration from him. We got to the chute and he pushed me hard and I had my PR so I was happy. The guy even let me cross the line first. All class :). I have the best friends in the world. I ended up 10th in 1:13:25 so I have a ton to be thankful for even though it's not quite the result I wanted.
So I think I have this mental block at 5:30 pace. I believe it freaks me out. It shouldn't but it does. I can run 5:30 just fine, but as soon as it goes to 5:29 then it's suddenly too hard lol. This is ok, it will pass. I remember when that was 6:30, and then 6:00, and then 5:45... I need to work with a sprint coach or person. I don't know how to sprint :). I started this thing backwards. I can go long but I never learned how to go fast when I was young. I think learning to spring would be most helpful going forward. I need to work on my patience too. If I'm more patient, and I build in some real speed then I can actually attempt tactical race moves and fun stuff of that nature. I also just need to relax in the later miles of a race. Every time I am able to get the cadence back up, lighten the feet, good form, breathe deep... well the pace comes down by itself. It doesn't always have to be an internal fight at the end. I'm super grateful for a PR race. It was a tough start to the year injured and it took some time to come back around but I'm improving again and that makes me smile... a big smile :). I'm faster than this, I know it. If I can be smart and stay consistent and utilize some new skills/tools I think I can go under 1:10. I know I will crack 2:30 in the marathon. It will be next year but it will happen. I'm going after 2:35 at St. George and I'm going finish this training cycle proper to put myself in the best position to do so. I was so excited to hear about everyones races. The cool down with Karl, Matt, Zak, Scott, Mike, Ty, Dave, Kassi, and Spence was pretty special for me. A great group of people just running some easy miles and celebrating the day and each others performances, it doesn't get much better. But the performance of the day has to be Matt's :), 8.5 minutes faster than last year!? 1:06!? Just plain awesome. I'm so thankful to know and to train with such a wonderful group of people. It was most excellent to see and talk to so many good people before and after the race. I look forward to many more miles and races and the camaraderie they will bring. Much thanks to everyone who helps and inspires me. See you on the roads/trails! :)
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