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February 23, 2008
Spring Thaw 10 Miler
So of course the big joke today was the name of the race because...well...there was nothing "spring" nor anything "thaw" about this morning! :)
Regardless, it was a great race. So first, a little background. Last year I did this same race on the same weekend and ran 1:06:25. Last year going into the race I had some more "hard" running under my belt. I had just started with the MarkAllenOnline team in late January of last year but prior to that was running more and harder pretty much all the time. Once I started with Mark it was back to basics and base training and no hard running workouts. Last year race day was COLD - probably about 10 degrees in the morning but more like 15 by the start of the race. But last year the roads were completely dry.
So this year was a little different. For one, I haven't run hard since October (I did do that little fartlek last week but 15 minutes of hard running doesn't really count!). And in fact, if you consider the hamstring injury that kept me from good run training at the end of last season, I haven't really run hard since September. All base training at this point. And the weather? Well this year it was a little warmer (high 20s?) but the roads were less than ideal. There was one whole mile that was covered in slush/ice/snow which made it really 2 miles since it was a 2 loop course. And there were other areas that were just dicey - if you were lucky you might be able to find some solid footing but if you were in a pack or something of that nature no such luck. Then, there were some parts of the course that were fine - wet, but good traction. (just as a side note, the race crew did an awesome job of trying to make the roads as best they could - so thanks for their hard work!)
So this might all point to the fact that I might not be able to run as fast as last year. Especially given the footing. I don't know how other people feel about running on that type of slush/ice/snow mixture but I feel like it takes a lot of energy to go no where fast! But despite all this I decide my goal is to run 65 minutes. On the start line the race director told us that "today was not a day for PRs - the footing was not good and we needed to be safe!" Humpff!! I still wanted to try and even though I told myself I couldn't be disappointed if I didn't run faster or as fast as last year, I knew I would be.
So off we go! O and his friend from work were also running so we had a nice little pack. The first mile was the bad footing one so I wasn't sure what to expect but we went through in 6:27. Good deal! Maybe this was going to be possible afterall!
We settled into a nice rythmn and surprisingly the first 5 miles went by relatively quickly. We went through the 5 mile mark in 32:30 (6:30 pace exactly!) so I was super excited. Still on pace despite the conditions and I was feeling pretty good.
As I said, the course was 2 loops so we started the course over again. At this point O and I were still together but I could tell he was feeling good, or at least better than I was. Just after the 6 mile mark he started to gap me a little and I just couldn't quite hang on. But once he got about 5 seconds ahead of me I worked hard to keep the gap the same or even close a little. With 2 miles to go I had almost caught him - getting close! This was a good goal because although I was tiring some I was still running in the 6:30-6:35 range and keeping mostly on pace in my attempts to catch him. Then in the last mile he put the hammer down! The last mile has the biggest hill of the race so I told myself to "relax and go, relax and go" but he was moving down the other side like he just stole something! I chased him all the way to the line and finished in 1:05:25 - 14 seconds slower than his 1:05:11!! It was a good chase!
Either way, I was pleased. Pleased because even if the conditions were perfect I knew 1:05 was going to be tough to get. It's hard for me (and probably most people) to run fast off of just base miles. And the conditions were far from perfect!! I figure they were at least worth that 25 seconds to get me under 1:05. It didn't have to be warmer, it just needed to be dryer with good footing. So I'll take it! And I'll work on getting O next time!! :)
After the race we did a quick cooldown, ate some yummy, warm soup (that was the food they gave out at the awards - perfect!), collected our awards and then headed home. And good thing too because I was FREEZING!! I brought dry clothes to change into but I was still so cold. Probably because I had just run outside in cold weather with soaking wet feet. My hands were so cold I had to get some nice woman in the bathroom to help me untie my shoes so I could change! :)
Of course on the way home my stomach started to ache like it always does when I run hard. Stupid stomach.
I had to get on my bike for a short little spin when we got home but oh was my stomach not cooperating. I laid on the floor a while and then just decided to get up and do it because there was no telling when my belly was going to feel better and I wanted to get on with my day! :)
The good news is, by the time I was done with my spin my stomach had settled some. And just in time because my ice bath was waiting! Ahhh...ice bath. Never felt so good for the sore muscles! Of course after being so cold all morning my body was a little angry at the thought of sitting in ice water, but it was for it's own good!
So my running is off to a good start this year! My next running race is a 5K at the end of March which I'm really looking forward to. By then I will have started some speed work (starts in early March) so running harder and faster won't feel like such a shock!
Thanks so everyone for their well wishes! And congrats to all those other racers out there that had great weekends!
Posted by beth at February 23, 2008 7:41 PM
Comments
Yeeehaw, Beth! Nice race in TOUGH conditions and meeting your 65 min goal time! And, you haven't even starting running hard in training yet (your words!)...Congrats! :)
Posted by: Jennifer Harrison at February 23, 2008 8:24 PM
Also, congrats to my fellow teacher Ben for completing his first ever road race...a 10-miler at that....and running under 70 minutes!!!!
Posted by: O at February 23, 2008 8:26 PM
Great job, Beth! I agree with you, running in icy slush is NO FUN.
Posted by: Ness at February 23, 2008 9:00 PM
You two are like the most modest person ever. "Collected our awards." What place were you two??
Anywhoo, great race to both of you!!!! It sounds like a great chase with both of you pushing yourselves and each other to your best.
Rock on!!!
Posted by: Audrey at February 23, 2008 9:02 PM
Great Job Beth and Oscar! Nice way to start the season!
Posted by: Chad at February 23, 2008 9:34 PM
Fantastic! I could hardly wait all day to see your race report! I can not imagine running in that snowy mess! I agree with Audrey, "modest and humble"! You two are studs, I wish Jim was a runner so I could chase him, I bet racing your lover would step up your game a bit! AND way to trust your coaching... Being the runner you are all the boring base miles would make you wonder where your speed is going to be... yours was there and AWESOME to know you have yet to even focus on it!
Best to you for a GREAT RECOVERY!
Posted by: Bree at February 24, 2008 12:14 AM
Yippeeeee! Nice job Beth! You didn't even mention that when you run through slushy crap, that your feet remain FROZEN for the rest of the ran. Aaakk! Not fun! But nice job - congrats. You'll only get faster and faster and faster here on out. Can't wait to see how you truck it for your 5k!
Posted by: marit c-l at February 24, 2008 8:55 AM
That is awesome!! And how cute is that that you two are competitive together!! That would be fun to chase down Adam!
You are in for an amazing season! Great work!
Posted by: kellye at February 24, 2008 9:05 AM
Great job Beth! You set a goal, pushed for it and achieved it. And that pace is something to be pretty proud of!
Posted by: Andrea at February 24, 2008 9:30 AM
Congrats! And I agree your humble... but come on give it up; what place did you come in???
Posted by: Dawn at February 24, 2008 10:55 AM