Not-so-fast-running-blog

Average Overall Pace: 9:01

Conditions:

• 78°
• Winds SW 8 mph

Race Day Experience:

• In typical fashion, I had technology problems. Why and how this happens is a mystery to me. It must be nerves. At my next race, I am NOT going to do a technology pre-check. Somewhere during this ritual, I mess up my programs and then everything goes south from there.
• I had zero music during the half-marathon. After the first mile of trying to run and fix my technology, I pulled out my earbuds. I stuffed them in my running belt and turned up my pace.
• Those first 3 miles were a mental mess! I always run with music so it was a battle of the wills to continue rather than give up.
• I found a guy that appeared to have a steady pace. I chose to let him be my pacer. At mile 10, he fell back. I pressed on knowing that he would most likely resurge toward the final mile.
• At mile 12.5, he caught back up with me. We brought ourselves across the finish line close to the same time. We thanked each other profusely.

After Thoughts:

• I will not pretend that running without music was okay. I had no idea how noisy runners are - heavy breathing, feet pounding, mouths spitting, throats clearing - during a race. It was pretty disgusting, but I'll admit that race cacophony drove me to push through each mile with determination and focus.
• There were no timing clocks along the way so I had zero knowledge of my pace until mile 13. I saw the clock at 1:57:??! I was elated! Unfortunately, my official time was disappointing! It is incredible to me how many seconds it takes to complete a tenth of a mile. I practice, practice, practice this tenth of a mile consistently. It still conquers me every race day!