My A goal for this race was to get in under 1:40. That would be a 10 minute improvement from my half last fall (8 weeks after my baby.) I knew that was doable. My B goal was under 1:45 and my C goal was under 1:50.
By mile 2 of this race I knew if I wanted under 1:40, I was going to have to work and it would hurt. I was okay with this. It was one of those days where running just feels hard. Notsomuch effortless like I wanted. I was okay with the hurt that would come but by mile 6-7, the wind really picked up. I knew that 1:40 wasn't going to happen because it was way too hard to keep my pace against the wind. Again, I was okay with this. Running and races will always be there. By the big hile at mile 9, I felt like I was going backwards. The drummers at the top of the hill between mile 9-10 gave me the mental boost I needed and I knew I could get under 1:45 if I just held on. The wind gods smiled down upon us and when we came out of the canyon and onto the freeway, the wind was FINALLY at our backs. I finished strong and crept in just under 1;45.
Splits
8:30, 8:02, 7:38, 7:42, 7:43, 7:54, 8:19, 8:13, 8:11, 8:23, 8:01, 7:40, 7:25, and I don't know how to calculate the last .2 but it was a 6:00 min/mile pace.
Even though I didn't quite get the time I wanted, I'm considering this race a success for me. In the past, I would have given up mentally because I wasn't feeling on. The wind would have pushed me down further. When I didn't feel great, I was able to mentally hold it together and readjust my goals, wind and all. I knew I couldn't have gone faster than I did and I'm proud of the way I performed. I still have a long way to go to where I WANT to be but again, running and races will always be there.
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