Today was the Ft, Steilacoom 20k...a race I often use as a final tune up for a Spring marathon. It fits very nice three weeks in front of Boston making it the perfect final race before the big one.
Perfect weather conditions. Cool, cloudy and very little wind. That's a far cry from the wind, hail, snow and rain we had on Thursday and Friday here.
The only bummer is that I didn't have anyone to run with. I probably won by 15 minutes. Not exactly anyone to push me. But that makes the accomplisment even sweeter.
Earlier in the week my coach convinced me to take both Thursday and Friday completely off. I thought he was crazy. Well...he wasn't. I have never felt so fresh, relaxed and energetic in a race as i did today. I was never really tired. I felt like I was floating the whole time. My coach may be on to something. But I don't think I have ever felt better during or after a race as I did today.
Finished in 65:16 which was 20 second off of my PR from two years ago when I was also preparing for Boston. But this one was sweeter because (a) I am two years older now and (b) there has been a lot of injury and trial over those two years that i am thrilled to be as close to my 2011 time as I was today. I was hoping for 5:20s and ended up with 5:14s.
A great day and hopefully it translates to something awesome in Boston. |