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May 31, 2005
I Finished First . . . But got Third
I tend to run the best when I spontaneously stroll into races and have absolutely NO expectations. That is exactly what happened yesterday. After running for 10 days in a row - a new streak for me that I swear I have not done in over 2 years, I decided - on a whim - "I'm in shape to run 13.1 miles!" Right.
I ran 39 miles last week which is my highest since last August/Sept. so I was pretty jazzed and excited :) I have decided that even if it is only a 15 minute run, I am going to do it everyday. So far, so good. Today I will probably head out for an easy 3-6 miles. I am not going to wildly jack up my mileage. If I keep it in the 40-55 range for more than 6 weeks, I think I might have a legitimate shot at a decent marathon this fall.
So anyway - back to the half. I take a lot of writing detours, but I will try to keep myself on track. I signed up for the Lakeshore Half-Marathon which runs along Chicago's lakefront path. For many Chicagoans, this race isn't exactly "scenic." Brutal is more like it! It is semi-difficult to run straight down a lake path and then turn around and run straight back. Lake Michigan is beautiful, but it's not the Pacific! I was surprised when I found myself loving the course!! They added some twists and turns that helped break up the monotny.
We started in waves and I slipped into the second wave of runners - 2 minutes behind the first wave. I spent the first 5 miles passing a lot of the marathoners. I thought I started out conservatively, but I hit the first mile in 6:43, the second in 12:26 (that mile marker was clearly off by 100 feet), the third in 20:09, I never saw the 4th, the fifth in 33:20, and 10K in 41:41. I eased into a 6:42 pace, and I was shocked at how efficient and smooth I felt - I have not experienced this feeling since the Chicago Marathon in 2002.
I hit the turn around and I was clearly the lead woman (all of Chicago's gunners - fast runners - went to the money races yesterday; that left this race wide open for runners like me who cannot crack 1:25, but who can slip under 1:30). After 10K there were no more mile markers for the half-marathon, and I was disappointed to only run by 4-5 water stations. It must have been around 7-8 miles when all hell broke loose . . .
The half-marathon and the marathon merge, but the half goes one way and the full turns into Lincoln Park Zoo. I was running in no-man's land by myself when I hit that point, and I do not think the course marshals realized that I was running the half. My stomach dropped with nervousness because I was convinced they just told me to turn off the half-marathon course. I called to two of them standing there, "Does the half really go this way? I am in the half!" They assured me that it did so I turned into the zoo. I started to panic, but I was so confused. A few marathoners said, "The half turned back there!" Another mis-directed half-marathoner grabbed me and said, "you are the lead woman! Come on - I think they sent us the wrong way." At that point, all I could do was mumble profane words under my breath. I was pissed . . . I was so pissed.
We traveled over a mile out of our way before we re-joined our fellow half-marathoners. I had to kiss my 1:27.46 good-bye. Around mile 11 reality hit me like a semi-truck and I decided to slow to 8+ minute pace. What was the point of hammering when 1:30 - and a competitive start for the Chicago marathon - were out of reach?
I officially finished in 3rd place with a 1:37+. I cannot be too upset about running over 14 miles in 1:37! I guess this means that I will have to shoot for another half soon.
My legs feel happy and I am not that upset. My dad showed up to cheer me on, and we joked a little - he came to watch me run an 8K in Boston once, and I was directed the wrong way and ended up running 7 miles! He is convinced that he exudes some weird karma, but I still think he is my good luck charm :)
I have something to celebrate as well . . . today is my last day of work at the political office! I will work at the running store again and focus on finishing my MA thesis . . . but I am finally free.
Posted by bridget at May 31, 2005 07:41 AM
Comments
Congrats on a great race Didge and for getting out of the corrupt world of Chicago politics! I was so proud of you yesterday and all of us know that you really did win that race. Next weekend should be a much better experience...still trying to figure out how I can get to South Bend for your 6:00 AM start!
Posted by: Katie at May 31, 2005 08:15 AM
It must be those 10 days of training that had you running so well yesterday. Imagine what you could do with 20 days :-) But seriously, congratulations on a great run. That really sucks that they sent you the wrong way - that is inexcusable (on their part) but it sounds like you are very forgiving. Good luck with your upcoming training and I hope that your summer is nice and relaxing!
Posted by: Alison at May 31, 2005 08:58 AM
Congratulations! I can't even imagine how frustrated you must have been but your attitude about it seems great now! Awesome time!
Posted by: Nanda at May 31, 2005 09:57 AM
you RULE!!!! i am so very proud of you - of course, i'd be proud even if you finished last. clearly, shedding the weight of 1st ward politics is paying off! can't wait to cheer you on in person.
Posted by: carrie at May 31, 2005 11:15 AM
oh you are KIDDING me!!!! i am so mad even reading that!!!! well, you certainly had a quick run, but MAN!! i can't believe you ran an extra mile and came in third :) THAT part of the race is FABULOUS!!
Posted by: Audrey at May 31, 2005 05:46 PM
Wow! I can not believe that they directed you the wrong way, that is such bad race directorship. Did you have the same color numbers as the marathoners? Anyhow, awesome run...you'll have a great marathon this fall if you do one.
Blondie
Posted by: Blondie at May 31, 2005 07:43 PM