Reached my stretch goal of sub 1:25. Garmin calculated 12.96 miles, but course is certified, 3 miles were downhill on gravel road through forest, with some serious switchbacks, so Garmin accuracy would not be expected to be accurate. Ran mile 7 sub 6, was happy with all my splits and the way I ran. Felt strong, struggled a little the last 5k to maintain pace. Will write more later, off to enjoy mtns for rest of weekend! http://connect.garmin.com/activity/90007818
Update: Ok … here is
more of a report, although probably not too exciting … with only 300 runners, I
pretty much ran the race alone, so it lacks any competitive battles on the
course. I kinda ran the race planned,
but was able to pick up some time on most of the miles while still staying in
my comfort zone. Conservatively, I was
planning for a 1:28 – figuring I would try to gain some time on all splits if I
felt good.
Phase 1 - 28 min for first 4 (7:00 pace)
Phase 2 - 39 minutes for next 6 miles (6:30 pace)
Phase 3 - 21 minutes for last 5k (6:45 pace)
Phase 1: I knew miles 3 & 4 had some pretty good
sized up hills, & the first two were down, so I tried to bank some time
without going outside my comfort zone … glad I did this … because it enabled me
stay comfortable when the uphills came & still be on pace. I led for the first 50 meters (lol), then a pack
of 4 powered by me & I just watched them go. I got
passed by two more, so I was in 7th at Mile 1. Mile 1 split was 6:15. This was faster than I planned, so I
consciously slowed a little. I got
passed in Mile 2 by the guy that finished ahead of me, but just let him go as
he was moving & I wanted to stick to the plan! Mile 2 split was 6:42. At the start of Mile 3 I got passed by the
overall female winner & had a handful of others right on my heals … since I
wanted a top 10 finish, I decided to fall in right behind the female leader
& hold her pace … as it would have been demoralizing to let others keep
passing! Mile 3 split was 7:04. About halfway up a hill in Mile 4, I pulled
back ahead of the female leader as my goal pace was starting to slip … she did
not try to stay with me. Mile 4 was
7:11. Phase 1 mission accomplished – I hit
the 4 mile mark 48 seconds ahead of my allotted plan … with downhill ahead of
me.
Phase 2: Attack the
downhill! Mile 5 was gradual, so I eased
into it, while I recovered a little from my uphill effort … 6:37. Miles 6,7, & 8 were the biggest downhill
& this section was on a packed gravel road through National Forest with
some big switchback curves, which I knew were going to hurt my momentum, but I
knew this was the section where I could really put down some time, so I threw
my pacing plan out the window, and decided to just turn my legs over as quick
as I could! There was some loose gravel
in the sharp curves, so I slowed a tad before each one, started on the outside
of the curve & then ran as straight as I could through the curve, actually accelerating through them so I came
out flying on the backside … this seemed to work well. Occasionally I would see the #7 runner ahead,
and I was gaining slowly, but he was attacking the downhill too & I was
probably 100 yards back. I never looked
behind me, but was pretty certain no one was close because I was in serious attack
mode. Splits for this section were
6:14, 5:557, 6:08. Miles 9 & 10 were
still downhill, but much more gradual … they were also back on paved surface –
it was a little deflating leaving the National Forest … that was really an
exhilarating 3 miles! I hung on for a
6:25 & 6:39 here. Phase 2 mission
accomplished … picked up a bunch of time on my allotted plan here … but had no
idea how much … with all the switchbacks & heavily forested area … Garmin
splits were estimates of true distances … but I knew I had even more time in
the bank than my splits were telling me.
Phase 3: I was definitely
feeling the effects of attacking the downhill … and Mile 11 started with an
uphill which was having me a little concerned.
#7 was feeling the effects too I
think … he was still about 100 yards ahead of me … but I just did not have it
in me to close the distance much. It did
help to have him in my sight, as I was pushing to try to gain a little &
keep him in striking distance. Mile 11
was 6:42, which made me really happy because at the start of the mile, I was
definitely a little concerned about the remaining 5k (was having a weak mental
moment … and thought I felt the onset of
a side stitch coming … luckily it never did!)
Mile 12 was a nice downhill & I could smell the finish … so I
started pushing again to try to close the gap.
Mile 12 was 6:14. It was not
until this point that it actually registered that I may break 1:25! With about a half mile to go, I was about 50
yards back of #7. I love passing people
with a strong finishing kick, so I pushed hard for the next 100 meters … I was
gaining but that was a lot of ground to make up. I pretty quickly decided to throw in the
towel on trying to catch him, I was definitely going to come in sub 1:25 &
could care less if I was #7 or 8. I had
pushed hard the whole race but never gone outside my comfort zone … there was
no point in going there now & collapsing at the finish … I just wanted to
enjoy it. I ran the last Mile 6:24,
taking it easy the last 100 yards & came in about 10 seconds behind #7. #9 was about a minute behind. Phase 3 mission accomplished … I honestly
never really thought I would go under 1:25 … that is why I was calling it my ‘stretch’
goal. I got a nice trophy for coming
first in my Age Group.
Best part of weekend was hanging out in cold,
mountain streams … hiked to 4 waterfalls Saturday afternoon & Sunday. Sorry for the long report! | 