I'd like to start by saying this was one of the most mentally challenging events I have ever experienced in my life. I'm not sure how I finished today, but thank God for helping me through this race.
Started the day by taking a shuttle to town at 5:30 am and then connecting with a bus to Hopkington. Big surprise in arriving there (should have read the material)...we wait outside for 2 1/2 hours. I was underdressed and spent the entire time shivering.
By race time my legs were blue, but the adrenaline in my system started to help warm me up. Began to feel great!
The starting gun when off and we were on our way...I began in corral #5. I'll do my best to give race details...
Mile 1: 6:55 (probably did a little too much dodging, but felt very comfortable with the pace)
Mile 2: 6:30 (definitely a little fast, but still felt very comfortable)
Mile 3: 6:30 (new I should slow down and made conscious effort to do so)
5k average: 6:39 (Remembered people saying be careful, so thought I should adjust)
Mile 4: 6:44 (Thought I could hold this comfortable)
Mile 5: 6:50 (Still felt fine)
Mile 6: 6:48 (Uh oh, my legs were beginning to stiffen)
5k average: 6:49 (Recognized this pace would not work long-term and decided to adjust to more like a 7 minute pace)
Mile 7: 7:05 (wanted to pick it up just a tad)
Mile 8: 7:08 (thought I ran faster, but guess not)
Mile 9: Whoa! Can't remember exact time, but way off...decided to quit looking at my watch and concentrate on stride. Legs were already cramping...this has never happened to me in a race since mile 20 of my first marathon...I was determined not to panic and began doing my best to stay as relaxed as possible...maybe I could regain legs and surge later. Breathing was effortless, but legs were totally shot.
5k average: 7:17 (never looked at my watch again, so base the rest of this report upon race results from website)
Miles 10-12 (held concentration)
5k average: 7:09...20k= 1:25:32
Half Marathon time: 1:30:18 (negative split nowhere in site...mind over matter)
Miles 13-15 (Legs really cramping bad...feet beginning to hurt as well)
5k average: 7:23...25k= 1:48:28
Miles 16-18 (Thought going uphill would be the end of me, but actually it seemed easier on my leg...almost a relief...much less steep than I had mentally prepared for)
5k average: 7:47...30k= 2:12:35
Miles 19-21 (This was the most mentally challenging part of the race...wasn't sure how I could keep moving my legs...1 mile at a time...I asked someone when we were going to hit Heartbreak and he said, "we already did"...what?)
5k average: 8:02 ...35k= 2:37:30 (Have no idea how I held an 8 min pace, but felt greatly encouraged to have made it through the hills)
Miles 22-24 (This was a complete blurr...my calves and quads felt like they were being stabbed with knives...maybe not that bad, but you get the point...also, my body was actually begininning to shiver a bit...passed my family which gave me a little more inspiration to finish)
5k average: 7:54 (Wasn't any faster, but the downhill helped improve my split)
Miles 25-26: Just concentrated on form...didn't stop for fluid because I knew if I were to stop, I would not be able to start again.
Finish= 3:13:26...Didn't achieve any of my goals, yet felt a deep satisfaction in having dug deeper both mentally/physically than any athletic performance done in my life. My finish (3,319) put me over 2,000 spots in front of my starting position (5,550). I tried to tough it out afterwords, but ended up in the medical tent with a low body temperature. People there were wonderful and a couple bowls of broth eventually got my body temperature going the right direction. Still shivered for another 2 hours as I attempted to connect with family. Very sore, but no injuries or concerns. Energy level was fine at the end... never breathed hard at any point throughout the race- just had no legs and was very cold.
Lessons learned...
1) pre-race schedule- do not spend as much time in the city on my feet. Yes, I've read it from numerous reports, but when you're with your family- easier said than done.
2) early morning wardrobe- dress warmly...2 1/2 hours of shivering takes it's toll.
3) don't shed too much clothing- dropped a long sleeve shirt, gloves, and arm sleeves...regretted these decisions as I approached the city...very brisk wind!
4) respect the downhill- I felt very prepared for running uphill, but underestimated the affect of downhill running. Hills are subtle, so take you by surprise. Next time I will do much more downhill training.
Overall, a tremendous experience! I learned a lot and hopefully will continue to mature as a runner. Unfortunately, I did not meet any bloggers, but I look forward to reading their reports.
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