Nasty Weather = slow times but what can you do?
The goals for the race were to PR (2:38:47) and if all went well run a 2:35.
I did about as well as expected for the weather but was dissapointed that my PR effort was not worth a PR time. There, I am done whining...
Dustin, Jon, Bill and I stayed up in Pine Valley the night before which made for a short drive to the starting line. Thanks again Dustin! We could hear the wind whipping all night with rain hitting the windows so we knew we were in for a treat. I started with a garbage bag over my singlet and it kept me pretty warm.
The race started out ok, I was right on pace for the first few miles. We had a pretty decent group that stuck together to help with the wind. I did my best to mooch off the group and get the wind blocked for me. It kind of helped but I got really wet from the guys in front of me for my troubles.
Mile 1: 6:03
Mile 2: 6:13 (up-hill)
Mile 3: 5:58
I was still feeling great at this point. Not sure what to expect with the weather as it was still raining and windy.
Mile 4: 5:54
Mile 5: 6:03
Mile 6: 5:42
Mile 7: 5:45
We were just cruising along together as a group trying to stay relaxed. I got my first bottle here with a Cliff Shot and it was hit the spot. I was heating up here so I ditched the bag, only to have it rain harder.
Mile 8: 6:53 Veyo (first half)
Mile 9: 6:41 Veyo (second half)
Mile 10: 6:35
We were catching up to Jon's group and we became a big pack around here for about a mile. They were really crawling up the hill at dammeron valley. I sat on that pack for a while, and wasn't willing to push the pace yet. Jon took off, and I knew I needed to go with him to hit my time goals, but didn't have enough gas.
Mile 11: 6:52 (not good)
Mile 12: 6:25 (better, but not looking good)
Mile 13: 6:00
During Mile 13, I left Ben and Steve O and ran with James, Walter, Greg, and some other guy for a while. I ended up hitting the half at 1:22:00. 2:20 slower than last year. Not good. I have major work to do to PR. 2:35 is way out of reach. New goal was to PR. It would take a 4:30 negative split to do it. Do-able but probably not today. Gave it a shot though.
Mile 14: 6:12
Mile 15: 5:51
Mile 16: 5:43
Mile 17: 5:55
I was hoping for 5:30-5:40 through 15-17, grrrrr
Mile 18: 5:59
I was on my own as I was dropped by James, Walter, and Greg. Cold, wet, and cramping in the hamstrings.
Mile 19: 6:38 (winchester hill)
Mile 20: 6:17 not sure what my problem was here. Ummm, maybe I was tired or something.
Mile 21: 5:58
Mile 22: 6:25 (legs are shot, hammies are done)
Mile 23: 6:10
Mile 24: 6:05 (saw Bethany and the kids cheering me on in the rain. They looked cold and wet too.)
Mile 25: 6:14 just surviving
Mile 26: 6:17 Am I done?
Mile 26.2 1:17 (5:41 pace) I am too cold and tired to care.....
Second Half = 1:20:03 (1:57 negative split).
Things that went well:
- Fueling. My bottles with Cliff shots very helpful
- Even pacing
- Good time considering the wind/rain (some say 20-30 mph headwind)
- Didn't die
Things that went poorly
- No PR
- Couldn't find that gear to do a 1:16-1:17 second half
- Couldn't stay with guys that I am capable of staying with. Lacked the pain threshold/mental war/marathon pain/flght or flight response
- Hamstring cramping issues
The PR will have to wait until next year.....
T- 2:42:04 (6:11) 171 ave 183 max | 