Start off with saying that I am pleased with this result. Dissappointed with not hitting anywhere near the expected time, but, I have nailed down the reasons - mostly due to lack of proper training. Looking back at my 3-4 months of training a couple weeks ago, I realized that I lacked the quantity of true long runs and longer tempo runs needed to endure those final miles at pace. The volume of mileage was great during those 3-4 months (300 for August) time, but, I didn't have the quantity of individual 2-3 hr runs needed.
Also, the course played its part: The race that claims it is a top 30 qualifier for Boston... hmm. It is flat enough, but I'm not so sure that the they ran the same course this year as the first 2 years? There were about 5 or 6 construction areas, and or fenced off areas through parking lots that the course ran through. It may sound like whining (it is :)), but that number of hairpin turns and having to negotiate the 90-180 degree turns and very short, but very steep grades on gravel 10-12 times wears on the legs and momentum. In the later miles its mentally taxing, also...
Course and training deficiencies are demonstrated through the odd, fluctuating splits and awful splits for the last 5-7 miles on this "flat course".
6:41, 6:32, 6:43, 6:44, 6:35, 6:39, 6:36, 6:46, 6:44, 6:41, 6:40, 6:34, 6:44, 6:41, 6:33, 6:39, 6:37, 6:40, 6:52, 6:54, 6:59, 7:09, 7:25, 7:44, 8:07, 8:08, 2:16 - 0.29 mi. ?
Picked up an extra 0.1 somewhere...
Don't recommend this race to peers and you fast 2:20-2:30 guys, unfortunately. Its over $100 for entry, and no prize money for you faster guys. It is a smaller race (~1000 people total) so running what I thought I was capable of today would've put me in top five.
Chicago will def. be a training run, 1 or 2 halfs in October, and really shoot for the moon at Indy Monumental in November.
On a lighter note, I really did well icing and working on recovery yesterday and my soreness isn't horrible today :)
| 