Took 4th. Just didn't have 'it' today. Not sure what the deal was. More later... Here is my Pear report from 2009 I'm not really sure where I'm going with running right now. By that I mean I haven't got any other races on the books and so today's race was my spring race--the race that I've been focusing on for the past few months. I had ran the Pear Blossom in 2009 as my final tune-up for the Eugene Marathon 3 weeks later. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, loved the course and ran a solid time. I thought today would be just the same and that a 51:30 (or better) would easily be obtainable. Not so much... In the days leading up to most races I get pretty stoked. The night before is full of anticipation for the race the following day, regardless of the race size and/or distance. Race morning is exciting, especially once I arrive at the starting area for a warm-up and then the juices really start flowing. I love to race. Racing is what makes all the early mornings and countless miles worth it to me. Running is fun but racing truly is the reward. I write all of that because for whatever reason, this week, and this weekend, didn't pan out that way. Not sure why. I was happy to run, but the pre-race excitement wasn't there and the race-day magic was nowhere to be found. Maybe I left it in Portland? I ran three miles for a warm up and saw some familiar faces; Max King (6 time champion and course record holder who 3 weeks ago ran for USA cross country in Spain and was the 2nd place American), Eric Skaggs, and a number of other quick looking fellas with BAC, PR, and Foot Traffic (running clubs from Portland) running gear on. After a couple pit stops and a change of clothes I was lined up at the starting line in perfect 38 degree weather. The race director informed us there would be a 10 second countdown, followed by a gunshot to get the race underway. He counted 10, 9, 8, 7, 6 and then we heard gunfire?? I was standing next to Max and Eric and we sort-of started, halfway running, halfway jogging. Three seconds later there were two other gunshots so we slowed even more. I think most of us quicker runners, being familiar with track meets and the procedure for false starts/bringing runners back to try again, were expecting a re-start. So we stopped running but nothing was said about a re-do and a number of other runners kept charging away from the line. Uh...I guess the race started? So much for a quick first mile. When the chase pack crossed the 1st mile (Max and the eventual 2nd place finisher had a decent lead) we kissed 5:10 out the window and saw 5:19 instead. By no means did I loose 9 seconds in the confusion but easily 5-6. I'm not trying to sound bitter--I'm really not. Just explaining why the first mile was so off goal pace. As for the second mile? No clue why we were off on that one as well. 5:18's this year were feeling harder than 5:14's from two years ago. The eventual 3rd place finisher and I both picked up the pace after mile two and left the others from the chase pack. We both commented on how we felt 'off' today and weren't hitting 5:10's like we'd hoped. However after saying that we dialed the pace in pretty good and hit consecutive miles of 5:09, 5:10 and 5:09 until the turn-around. Mile 5 included a slight incline and it did a number on me (5:21). I lost ground on the 3rd place guy and couldn't seem to reel him in during the following miles. As I reflect on my splits now, I wonder why I felt so defeated at this point? The 5:21 was a slap in the face but subsequent back-to-back 5:16's aren't horrible. I saw 42:00 through 8 miles and realized that a shot at a PR was going to be VERY hard (impossible?).
I just didn't feel like there was any race day magic to draw from. I didn't feel bad--but I didn't feel good either. I kept telling myself "this isn't a run, this is a race;" a mantra a college coach kept yelling at his athlete at last weekend's 10,000 but it didn't seem to help. Again, I didn't feel bad but I was struggling to put up the fight I was telling myself to. Two years ago I was able to catch Trevor Palmer during the final couple miles and I was trying to do the same again but it wasn't happening. I hit 5:11 for 9 and 5:00 for my final mile but I only gained 5-10 meters on him at best.
| Mile | 2009 Splits | Total Time | 2011 Splits
| Total Time
| | 1 | 5:11
| --
| 5:19
| --
| | 2 | 5:14 | 10:25
| 5:18
| 10:37
| | 3 | 5:14
| 15:39
| 5:09
| 15:46
| | 4 | 5:15
| 20:54
| 5:10
| 20:56
| | 5 | 5:06
| 26:00
| 5:10
| 26:06
| | 6 | 5:15
| 31:15
| 5:21
| 31:27
| | 7 | 5:11
| 36:26
| 5:16
| 36:44
| | 8 | 5:17
| 41:43
| 5:16
| 42:00
| | 9 | 5:11
| 46:54
| 5:11
| 47:11
| | 10 | 5:03
| 51:57
| 5:00
| 52:11 |
When I crossed the line I still felt fine. That was perplexing as well. I wasn't disappointed, wasn't mad, wasn't....anything. I'm not sure what to say? There just seemed to be a lack of feeling with the whole experience. I'll figure it out and hopefully get the body and mind on the same page for the next race. I cooled down for 3 miles which included finishing the race with my sister who was completing her longest race to date. (Way to go Jill! I'm proud of ya! You're going to do great in Seattle!) | 