Doing What I Can

Platte River Half today - had a goal of 1:25. My PR is 1:18, but have not been under 1:25 in about 4 years since then--especially difficult now that I live at altitude. This race was at 5300 ft. Goal was 6:29-6:30 and that is exactly what I did. Got out easy and felt great, had some stomach issues from 6-7, side cramp, probably from the non-gatorade alternative (Nuun) they were handing out at aid stations--I think it had caffeine in it and my body did not handle it too well. Fought through it though, took a GU a little earlier than normal to try to calm my stomach down and it worked. Started slow enough to be able to accelerate through and pick off people as I went. Markers seemed off and I think the course was a little long - had 13.16 on my garmin - so 6:27 pace according to that -- means my half was a little faster too if this is to be believed. Splits are as follows:

1 - 6:29

2- 6:26

3- 6:25

4- 6:27

5- 6:24

6- 6:27

7- 6:28 - amazing consistency through this point, all my splits coupled very close together, pace felt pretty easy and I think I am in pretty good shape

8- 6:40 (long marker)

9- 6:18 (short marker)

10- 6:19 - probably accurate, just picked it up here, will be interested to see the official, but was around 1:04:30 at 10 miles

11- 6:25

12- 6:26

13 - 6:48 - not a breakdon at all - this mile just had the one true hill on the course and it was pretty steep - slowed down the pace quite a bit, but I still managed to kick at the end - I assume I would have been around 6:29 given the normal flat course average

.1 - 52 - long

"13.1" - 1:24:53, 6:29 avg  pace

My goal was 1:25 and I nailed that, split perfectly and kept consistent throughout. I fought through adversity today -- stomach issues, but nothing that stopped me or slowed me down all that much. I made it through and pushed just as hard until the rough patch stopped. I was a little disappointed that I felt the course was long (not only my Garmin, but just felt a tad long), but thats okay. 1:24:53 for 5300 feet equates to 1:21:57 according to Jack Daniels VDOT calculator at sea level - not a bad gauge of my fitness. Very happy with that result.

felt pretty good given my effort yesterday, 7:27 avg pace

8 in 7:09 avg pace - 6:53 4th mile, GMP, felt really good for 2 days after my half

6.2 tonight

pre race 4, easy paced 7:35 pace - plus strides

5k on my campus today - CU Boulder. Was done in remembrance of a fighter pilot CU alum. Was really looking forward to this one for the opportunity to run fast all over the campus, but the weather forecast deteriorated all week. Took a chance and still ran it because I assumed the snow wouldn't start sticking yet since its been so warm - I was right. However, the course was super wet and slushy instead and the snow was melting while falling so I got soaked and cold. Heavy snow at the start with temps around 34 and slight north winds made it feel a lot colder. I like running in rain/snow, but this was pretty uncomfortable. The race started 15 minutes late, and because of confusing course markings I actually took a wrong turn for about 100 meters, so the organization wasn't great and that always bugs me (although with the weather today, I understand) Nonetheless, I was very happy with how I ran. The first mile was 6:05, the second was 6:01, and I closed with a 5:54 and 30 seconds on the .1ish. I actually ran down the second place guy in the 2nd mile and it was rewarding to negative split each mile and even though my pace wasn't real fast overall, I am happy when my pacing goes that direction instead of me getting slower at each mile. 18:17 according to the offical timing - even with my wrong turn, my watch had me at close to 5k, so I probably ran close to that (although I did slow down on occasions trying to determine directions where there were no course marshals). When I got done, I felt like I could keep going easily, so I cooled down for quite a ways (4.7). 10.1 total roughly for the day. Got a $15 Target gift card for 2nd overall (kind of nice to get something although thats not why I run). Overall, despite the conditions and disorganization, I enjoyed today's race a lot!