So I won it! Sweet!
I got somewhat typical pre-race bad sleep last night. I dreamt I ran it in 1:26 or so and had amnesia regarding the first 9 miles (couldn't even remember running them). So glad that didn't happen. My dream goal after Painter's in January was to break 1 hour for this race, but from my recent training, my realistic goal for the race was 1:02. I tried to follow Sasha's advice to run by feel, but of course I was also looking at my watch quite a bit since I was not in contact with runners after mile 2. For those who don't know, this 10 mile course is a good downhill for the first 3.1 or so then a much more gradual downhill 4-9 miles, and pretty much flat mile 10.
I warmed up with Josse and James for a couple of miles, painted FRB down my legs while waiting in line for the portapotty. BOLD! We just barely had enough time to run two miles, stretch, then the race started.
1 - 5:43, started out a little too fast, a pack of three guys forms at front (James is the only one I know), no girls yet 2 - 5:53, feeling good in the legs, but I am feeling like my breathing (aerobic capacity?) is what is holding me back from going faster, I am behind the pack of three guys and grey shirt (fourth guy)
3 - 5:55, starting to feel like maybe I went out too fast, not sure how the less steep downgrade will go. 3.1 (on the trail point) 18:35, well ahead of where Sasha said I should likely be -- 19:15, I'm not panicked, but a little concerned, some young lady says Go Melissa, and I say, "It's Michelle", she says sorry. It ended up being Josse's sister (we met in Ogden). 4 - 6:09, adjusting to flat course, can only see grey shirt ahead 5 - 6:07, I hit their 5 mile marker at 29:28, but my watch doesn't register 5 until 29:48, going by their markers I realize I have a shot at breaking an hour. 6 - 5:59 7 - 5:56 8 - 6:10, starting to feel the wheels wobble, but 6:10 is still ok at this point 9 - 6:18, well this is where I slowed down enough to kiss sub 1:00 goodbye. I had to work really hard to keep even this pace 10 - 6:02, worked hard in this mile, the last 1/2 mile I got a killer cramp but told myself it would hurt if I ran fast or slow, still I think it cost me 5 seconds. I was grunting and crying the pain was so bad at the end. There goes the theory that those at the front look glamorous at the end. Total time 1:00:13 I am really pleased that I did this well, just over 6:01 pace. I think the course was accurate overall. My watch measured it 14 feet longer than 10 miles, so that's just about right. I sure wish I could have broken an hour, but I guess that leaves something to be done next year. It was great to hang out with Paul (my husband -- he ran the race and got a great time 1:20:01!!!). Josse and I ran him in and we were yelling at him and helped him pick it up that last 1/2 mile. I also always enjoy hanging out with my running buddies, Josse, James, Kent-- Hey where was Clay? I am wondering if he went. After the race Josse and I ran 5 miles (5.33 for me), and I just felt great gratitude to God for giving me this time in my life where I have the time and ability to test myself and my running abilities.
I didn't have pain in my shin, except some feeling in the first three miles of the race (steeper downhill), I think it was just feeling the pounding from gravity on the bruised area. I didn't were my snazzy Saucony Type A2 racers because I wanted to be more cautious on my legs. I wore my lightweight trainers instead.
I did an ice bath of course when I got home. Ran with Benji. After lunch. We were going to do 1.5 miles but he was suffering the whole time so we just did one mile. This was my first jog in my orthotics. I am counting this mile as 1/2 mile since pace was slow (11:30ish).
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