Rocky Mountain Road Runners 20 miler
2:22
Showed up 15 minutes before the race (poor time management on my part), waited in the bathroom line, lined up and we were off. Felt a twinge in my left foot at around 5 miles, but figured I could loosen it up due to the relatively slow pace that I was running…
Went into this race with the plan to run 15 miles at marathon race pace (since I was near that for my half marathon last weekend), and then jog back the last 5 miles. The race was your choice of a concurrent 10 miler or 20 miler, starting at the same time and on the same route. Course was on bike trail that was relatively flat (a few minor inclines and declines) and set up as an out and back to the 5 mile mark (meaning the 10 milers finish and the 20 milers go back out to repeat the course).
Had someone to run with for the first 5 miles, but then he opted to not use any water stops and surged ahead as I grabbed my stuff. I could have surged to catch up, but did not want to ruin my game plan of having even splits through 15. Was spot on pace at 5:00, but slowed the next 5 miles to 7:11 pace (versus 6:59). Ran miles 10-15 completely alone and slowed a bit more to 7:24. At 15, jogged back at 7:40’s to finish the 20.
Ran very comfortably and was never in any distress—still able to converse with runners going the opposite directions and with the volunteers to let them know what I needed coming through the water stations. Disappointed that I just don’t seem to have the mental toughness to run my 6:50’s alone (which is something that I recognize and the reason I keep entering “races” to run my marathon pace…) So will try again in 2 weeks on the same course to get in 17 at marathon pace and then jog in the last 3. I still feel confident that if I can be pretty close to my paces with no one to run with at this kind of altitude, I should be good to go at the end of April.
Somewhat concerned about the twinge in my foot though…so will take it super easy on Monday. |