Race Week #1 - Dam to Dam
I woke up about 1 am that morning to pouring rain, and several other times to the same pounding on my roof. Not a good sign. The race started at 10, so i was able to sleep in until 7:30 (heaven:)). i would've slept later but mr. isaac (my 1 year old) is an early riser. Another glance outside showed that the rain wasn't going to relent, so jim and i wavered on whether to run or not. We were both battling colds. I checked around with my friends, and it sounded like everyone was still going. We couldn't disappoint!
So we showed up to sandhollow, and i did a little 1 mile jog into the park. I knew i might have a tough time that day the way i was already breathing at my slower pace. i didn't know how to dress to actually race that day cause the rain would stop, then start again over and over. I get so chilled easily, but all the clothes i was wearing felt heavy. i didn't end up ditching anything ( i was wearing 2 socks, capris and compression pants, a short sleeve and long sleeve tech shirt, and a water proof light jacket. then a cap, and ear warmers). I hated all of it at one point, and was thankful at another.
I had decided that i was only going to run as fast as i had to, and wasn't running for time. The course was 1/2 on dirt, and the weather was awful. So hopefully no one would make me have to push to hard. unfortunately, one girl from salt lake decided to make me race that day. My first mile felt sluggish, and my breathing was not good. She was talking to a guy she was running with, and seemed to easily keep pace. I stuck with her for the first 3 miles, but i was pushing it. i was trying not to look at my watch cause i knew that i wasn't running a fabulous pace. mile 4 she started pulling away (and was in front of all the guys too). i was concentrating on my mental game, but knew my body wasn't responding. at the halfway point, 1st place was still only about 30 sec ahead, and a quick glance behind me showed me that 3rd wasn't close. (I was running 6:30-6:40s) and just not feeling it. I wasn't worth it to me to kill myself to catch 1st, so i pretty much just slugged it in the rest of the way. i want to have a strong race next saturday, so i just used the rest as a training run. my pace slowed into the low 7s after i stepped in mud and added another pound to my shoes. we were running uphill and into some increasingly nasty mud. then the wind kicked in, and i got incredibly chilled. the last 3 miles were torture as my legs felt sooo heavy from being soaked and cold
so i averaged a 6:50 and ran 1:08. 2nd overall, it is what it is. The worst part was after the race - i had forgotten to get the key back from my hubby, and he didn't come in til 20 min later - I was frozen.. i ran out to him and ran the last mile with him to make it less miserable:) so proud of him:)
so i'm looking forward to a dryer, faster, less muddy course next week (hopefully). | 