Okay, so maybe I'm being too hard on myself, but I'm not as happy with this as I should be. This is a course PR for me by nearly 1 min (46:03 in 2009), but I just don't feel so good about it. Woke up the family early to get down there -stupid construction all through Utah county made it slow going. Anyway, uneventful race prep. It was nice to see Lily, Merri, Susie, Rachelle and Julie C. We were off quickly! I always start fast, can't help it. I was nearly staying on Julie and Lily's toes for the first tenth of a mile, fell into pace shortly after that. I was pleased to hear my first mile split called out at 6:50. Usually I would let this play mind games on me, but this time I didn't. I simply thought "great! you banked 30 seconds." My goal was to come in under my 09 time, so an AP of 7:25 would've done that. My garmin splits were always off about .05 of a mile, so they were about 10 seconds or more past what the timers were calling out. I hit the half at 21:12 and tried to do some math to see where I could hit, but I just can't figure out that .2 on the end! I figured I might be able to pull a 44:something which would put me almost a PR. All righty, lets go for it! From there out, that was my new goal. Mile 4 was the hardest, as always, but it always seems to be the slowest for everyone, so I can't complain. Just before hitting mile 5 I thought "Rachel, are you going to feel like you could've pushed harder when the race is done?" I laughed and thought - yeah, I always do. But I then tried to push just a little more so I would have less regret and know that I did do all I could out there. Yes, I still think I could've gone faster. By mile 5 I'd passed a few guys and 2 teenage girls. One lady (35-39 AG) passed me, but I stayed on her heels the whole time. She only finished 13 seconds in front of me. Well, there was one more guy in my sights to pass. I surged to get just ahead. Within a quarter mile he'd returned the favor. Well, on the first major turn off the road I made a good tangent and passed him again. Which is great for me. I usually slow considerably that mile 5-6, uphill, finishing...excuses, excuses. I kept pushing and pushing all the way up to the finish. Hit mile 6 on my Garmin at 43:33 - could I pull off a 44?!? yeah, a .2 isn't that far? Maybe a minute? (see, I don't know under mile splits!!). Turned the corner to the finish chute and I could see the 44 ticking away on the clock. Dang. I surged and pushed out the last bit to the finish. I think the guy I passed and that came in just behind me (had me running scared that last little bit). Thought I was going to die, because my breathing was out of control still and he asked what my HR was there at the finish. I had no idea, don't talk to me. I'm trying to recover and I can't breathe. I then had to wait for my card at the end and couldn't walk around. Blech. Saw my sweet Lauren and asked if dad and the boys had finished. Nope. So I went to walk back on the course to come in with them, but they were right on the corner. My 7 yr old was holding one of his shoes and running into the finish, with my 4 yr old right behind him. Dad and the stroller brought up the end of the family. Stayed around for prizes, which we won NONE of (5 entries and nothing!), but Nathan (my 4 yr old) did get to go up and get an awesome blanket (that only overall winners got) for being the youngest runner. YAY! He did run the majority of the race (except a little ride the 2 times he fell), so he deserved it. The hardest thing about this for me is first of all, I was really feeling good about hitting a 44, but I think lost it in mile 4, but didn't realize it since I was still catching people and pushing hard. Then, I HATE my Age Group. I'm just not fast enough. 8th overall, but 5th in my AG. Those ladies are just speedy and put me to shame -shame I say! I hated watching everyone I'd pushed to catch and stay with and pass go up and get awards and I got nothin' for my efforts. Kind of mentally defeating...no, really mentally defeating. Then the HR idiot that I passed just barely was talking with Lily and Rachelle while I was also visiting with them and Rachelle was giving me the confidence boost that a solid 45 min on this course would easily translate to a sub 3:30 at SGM. "No, the best I've done was a 3:43" The idiot guy says. Uggghhh. Way to ruin any confidence I just instilled in myself. Last year was over 90 seconds slower on this course and I ran a 3:45, so I should be able to do better than that, right? At least my 3:35? Maybe? Ugghh. Like I said, just defeating. This was supposed to be my confidence boost and I just came out of it depressed. Stupid race. My family, however, did a great job! Lauren finished in 34:23 and was the first 10 year old to come in, her AG was 10-13 and everyone in front of her was 12 or 13. The boys and dad finished in 44:30ish and there were only 2 kids younger than them that beat them (1-9 was the AG). Dad didn't come in last in his AG, that was his big worry :) Went and got to see the lovely Marion and stay for the parade afterward. A wonderful morning, which lead to a great nap in the afternoon! Happy Labor Day!! Garmin info AP: 7:16 splits: 6:59, 7:07, 7:17, 7:12, 7:39, 7:26, 6:59 (last .21 recorded)
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