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October 31, 2004
"The Race"
As I indicated many times earlier this week, I had decided to participate in a race this morning. The agenda for it was not necessarily set in stone, but running it in some fashion was set in stone. There were a number of variables that affected how seriously this event was going to be taken.
The first variable was the two parties I was to attend last night. Since more water was consumed than alcohol, a hangover was not going to be a problem. In fact, sometimes I think having a drink, or two at the most, the night before a race can be relaxing. Eating was a problem last night. At the first party I had a small piece of tomato
pie and some pretzels. When I got to the second party I was still very hungry, so I ate two rolls and some more pretzels. I kept grazing all night since no real evening meal was consumed. This presented a problem becuase my stomach usually is not receptive to eating late at night when I have to run in the morning. I did get home early and went to bed, but I did not sleep very well because I kept thinking that I messed up on changing my clock.
A second variable that influenced how hard I was going to run was how my body felt. While we were warming up, I was very stiff and tight. I just could not feel fluid, so my goals were dropping pretty quickly. The last variable had to do with what other runners were in the race. On the starting line, J told me I should scrap the idea of running it at tempo pace and go for the win since there really was not any competition there. There was a youth track club who I knew was going to go out hard, but nobody else.
The eventual outcome was somewhere in between. I was able to win, although the youth girls did go out hard. One of them was trying to outsprint me in the first mile, but I didn't care since I could tell that there was no way that she would be able to hang on for 8.4 miles running the way she was. I never felt really good and I was never able to run with anyone else. I literally was alone. T from our group was one place in front of me, but he was almost a minute ahead of me. The next person behind me was at least a minute back. I ended up running my "shut down" race pace. Every race where I run by myself ends up being around 6:25-6:28 pace. The course was completely along the bicycle path that goes around the Schuykill River. The final half mile is very dangerous with cyclists, walkers, rollerbladers, and random others along it getting in the way. Much of the course had a coating of wet leaves over it that I could just see myself slipping and wiping out on. In retrospect, I'm happy enough with how I did. I was tenth overall and the first female. I was going to run anyhow, and I put out a good effort. Not eating a real dinner last night and having an extra hour in the morning did not make my legs feel any fresher. J had an awesome run, and managed to be the first master. A felt great, especially after hosting a party last night. T didn't feel so great either, but he forgot to set his clock back last night!
When we got there he kept asking us what took us so long. He already had his flats on and his race number pinned on his singlet. Then he was saying isn't the race supposed to start at 8:30, why aren't you guys ready to go yet, it's late. Then we told him what time it was and he almost died, he forgot to change his clock back and had done everything thinking it was an hour later than it really was.
I am suffering from some serious race frustration. Workouts have been going really well. Long runs have been good for the most part. My races, other than PDR, have been terrible. Beyond terrible, really. My times in races are nowhere near where they should be based on my training. I will admit that I have done a number of races in which I run alone. I know that I shut down and run a certain pace in those circumstances. That might be something I need to work on, but mentally I find it extremely difficult to continually push when there is nobody even in sight. I know that even all of the foam-rollering in the world will not fix all of the tightness and muscle fatigue that have set in, hopefully this massage on Tuesday will help. My ankle still starts to balk when I try to run fast in racing shoes (it's a little sore right now). I have a few more bigger races planned this year (an 8K, two 10K's, and an XC race) and maybe a fun 5K to try to run at least close to what I should be able to do. I need to get my head on straight before the final races of the season. One positive note is that I have been racing well, even if my times have not been spectacular. Most of these races have been in less than ideal conditions on tough courses, but I have been able to run smart races-not go out too fast, place well, finish strong etc...
Well, I want to watch the Eagles now and see if they can make it to 7-0. I also have to keep an eye on the Redskins, since their game may have an affect on the outcome of the election according to some statistic I heard on the radio the other day. I won't say what it is, since I know that there are some Skins fans out there...
Posted by Blondie at October 31, 2004 12:44 PM
Comments
Blondie,
I think you said it yourself. The only race you've been really pleased with was PDR, right? It also sounds like the only race where conditions were good and, more importantly for you, you were surrounded by competition to push you. Girl, I think you're sweating it unneccessarily... if you had run a bunch of similar-condition races as PDR and still weren't happy with your results, then that's a different story.
Sounds like your upcoming races are going to be bigger with more competition for you. Let it fly in those races and I'll bet you're going to come up real pleased.
By the way, I've had a sore ankle I cannot get rid of for 2 weeks now. Stiff after running, stiff in the morning when I get up. But can't feel it at all while running. Wish I could figure it out too, so I'm hearing ya' with the ankle thing.
Congrats on winning today! Meghan
Posted by: Meghan at October 31, 2004 01:40 PM
I ran my one and only sub-20 5K on that bike path. We started and finished right behind the museum there. I was so excited (it had taken me nearly three years to take off 11 seconds) and I didn't know a soul there. It's a feat I haven't duplicated since. Ahhh. Good times. Good times.
Hopefully you're not *too* frustrated with the race situation. Just hang in there, man. You never know when you'll get the fire back. After my 10-miler last week I was thinking back to when I first started racing and how each time I'd just completely knock myself out on the race course. I would *hurt*. And somewhere along the line I lost a little bit of that, although I'm faster now and probably run smarter races. I just don't push myself to the brink every time like I used to. I have confidence, though, that when the marathon comes around I'll be ready and willing to hurt like I used to again. Or maybe even sooner if I find myself in the middle of making a real breakthrough or being challenged by somebody in a race.
You just need a little inspiration. (We both do.) Keep your eyes open and you'll get it eventually, I'm sure! Just make sure you're ready for it when it comes and you don't let it slip away or back down when it presents itself. (Dude. I swear I haven't been drinking; I just have an embarrassing tendency to blog philosophically every now and then.)
Posted by: jenandmats at October 31, 2004 03:54 PM
Meghan & jenandmats, thank you so much for words of encouragement. Way back in the late summer when I was struggling with my first sprained ankle of the season, I had resigned myself to just wanting to get stronger and faster in races, not to chase PRs. Like any runner, that was not a realistic thought as you're never happy when you run hard and race well, but the times aren't what you would like them to be.
I agree that I don't push myself to the *really* hurting point in most races now. I try to be strong and consistent, and if it happens to hurt, it hurts. In the past few years, I have learned that my best races come when there are other people around to let my competitive juices really flow. Otherwise, I end up running more of tempo kinds of runs-consistent, strong, just nothing "special".
The only way to get faster is to take a chance every now and then. I know the chance just has not presented itself in some of these recent races, I hope that it will in the next few weeks. Here in the mid-Atlantic, this is prime racing season...
Enough rambling, thank you!!
Posted by: Blondie at October 31, 2004 05:17 PM
Blondie- Congratulations on your win! Even though you're not happy with your racing, but it sounds like you ran quite strong. One strategy that I try (when I feel good) is to go for negative splits with x pre-determined number of miles to go. If no one is there to challenge you, it kind of becomes a match with yourself.
BTW, thanks for the massage reminder. I used to go monthly, but I kind of forgot about it for a bit. My dead legs need it.
Posted by: Leilani at October 31, 2004 08:55 PM
Blondie
sometimes i feel just like you do...
your training is going really well but then the race results just don't demonstrate your fitness...
sometimes...a break from racing helps
sometimes...more competition helps
sometimes just getting via the plateau helps...
and sometimes a day or two completely off from running ...really energize one and help out...
i say stick with it. you are a really strong runner... and racer... your going to hit your stride again...and then you'll forget what it's like to feel tired or not run at your best...
keep up the good blogging and training...
your persistency will pay off!!! :)
liz
Posted by: LIz at October 31, 2004 10:13 PM