I would like to dedicate this race to: Paul - for supporting my racing this whole season, without even grumpiness. Dr. Brady - for keeping my body (most recently hamstring) in business. Josse - for working out my calf so great yesterday. And Katie - for her saucy comments yesterday which helped motivate me when I wasn't feeling so spry in the middle miles. My goals for this race were to, 1) break my non-aided 1/2 marathon PR of 1:22:42 from Painters, 2) break 1:22:30, since you can generally run St. G twice as fast as this race, 3) break 1:22. Also the course record was 1:25:50 for women so I wanted to get my first course record. The race had alot more participants this year than last year, probably almost double. There were about 600 for both the half and the 5k, so still a small race--but growing. I warmed up with Josse (and it was in the 40's so we needed to warm up), went potty and stretched while in line, then got in the back of the potty line and did it all over again. I did a couple of wimpy strides. Fellow bloggers in the race (that I know) - Sasha, Chad, James, Josse, Cal, Paul Thomas, Tom, Kim, Coby, some lurkers, and probably others I'm not thinking of right now. A nice showing for the blog. Steve King, a sojourner, Carl, and Darin were there. Splits according to mile markers: 1 - 6:26, stayed relaxed, I knew it would be a slow first mile, within a couple hundred yards Darin and I were discussing our projected times during the race and we started running together. Sasha almost gets run over while crossing the street ahead of us.
2 - 6:20 3 - 6:17, I am tracking how much I am off the 6:18 guy, not concerned at this point, I knew the first several miles would be slower 4 - 6:15, includes hill up to Osborns, stayed tough, saw Kellie and Tyler and that helped motivate 5 - 6:07, gradual downhill, Darin and I keep each other going, still working together
6 - 6:30, took a gu at the beginning of this mile, water at 5.6, short but steep hill (zephyr) at the end of the mile, I gain on Darin with short quick steps up the hill, remembering trick from HS, worked great 7 - 6:27, biggest longest hill in the first 2/3, Darin gains on me, then some downhill starts, and I pull away from Darin, I am behind the 6:18 guy by ten seconds, but plan to gain it all in the next mile 8 - 6:01, fastest mile of the course, we are done with the loop and now are passing 1/2 marathoners about to start the loop. Their cheering is so helpful!
9 - 6:26, I take a gu at the beginning of this mile, choke on water as I try to drink, but continue to try since I know I need liquid to help the gu, I slow and Darin catches me, then start the gradual uphill 10 - 6:23, gradual uphill to Osborn's, then shorter, steeper downhill (same hill as was in mile 4 in reverse) 11 - 6:16, I have three miles to go as I start this mile and know I need to be 6:15 to be on target, 6:16 is close enough for me 12 - 6:10 13 - 5:50 (includes a short uphill to get out of riverbottoms) .11 in 35 sec (5:25 pace) 1:22:09. Ice bath weight 121 This is a great confidence booster. Hobble Creek was not as strong of a race for me, I went out of that wondering if 2:45 was doable, but now I know it is. I just have to keep healthy, taper and race smart (and have God's blessing since there's so many variables). Our fellow bloggers and SF friends had great races. I love the festive atmosphere at races, especially when I can hang out with running buddies. I won a $50 gift certificate to the local sports shop as my prize. I hope to get a new pair of tights. I need at least one new pair a year. Perhaps I can finally throw away those awful ones I wore at Painters (all you who saw me race there know what I'm talking about). Pardon if my blog entry to day is overly excited. I've got the runner's euphoria going. I am very grateful to have this time in my life where I can train and race well. God's given me this season and I am grateful for this gift.
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