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June 11, 2005
Week in Review - Steamboat 15K
Since I last posted, I mentioned that I have been feeling pretty smooth and excited. The past two weeks I have logged 50 miles (this is a GIANT deal for me!). My legs feel fresher than they have in a really long time, and I am slowly feeling my running body returning to shape (not there yet . . . there's still a few wiggles that I feel when I am pounding the concrete!!!). At any rate, I broke my running streak at 20 days on Tuesday. I didn't necessarily want to take the day off - and I love the fact that I am at that point where it kills to take days off - but I decided not to push my luck. I think a day of complete rest salvaged my body for this morning's run. I am pumped to be back at a point where running is part of my everyday routine and I feel lost and antsy and moody without my friend (friend meaning miles in the bank).
So my twin sister, her friend from college, and our friend from Kenya, Ricky, all piled into my car late on Friday night and drove 3 hours from Chicago to Central Illinois. Peoria boasts a great running community mostly fueled by its classic running store, "Running Central," and its famous state cross country course. Peoria - aside from being the capital of Catepillar - also has something that Chicago does not: HILLS. I have professed my love for hills many times, and I hold fast to that love, but it really sucked today! I was not prepared for 2 steep 300 meter hills and some smaller bumps along the way.
Ricky and I decided that we would bust out 6:40s and run together the entire race. Some background: Ricky is Kalenjin and he has the longest, skinniest legs that I have ever seen! With no training he clipped off 6:02s in a recent race. I figured it was going to be a challenge to chase those legs. But today was not his day. We started off at a fast pace together, but it felt good. We hit the mile around 6:35 and I felt great. After we climbed the first hill, Ricky stopped. So I stopped. He tried to jog again, but he just didn't have the magic and his hamstring was misbehaving. Unsure of what to do, I slowed to a jog - hoping that he would catch up again and we could coast together. After about a 1/2 mile of trotting, I picked it back up and tried to get back into a comfortably hard pace.
I ended up finishing as the 4th woman in 64-65 minutes. I probably lost about 2 minutes stopping and jogging, but they are 2 minutes I was glad to lose :) I suppose my pace came out to 6:58, but it was probably more in the arena of 6:45-6:55. The good news is that I never felt like I was racing. I honestly felt like I was just easily coasting. I am gaining confidence from these spontaneous races - I really think that if 6:58 pace is feeling this comfortable that maybe I have a sub 3 in my legs this fall :) I need to believe!!
I may pass on Chicago, though. It's getting enormous and crowded. Because I have no problem pushing myself by myself, I think I may run a smaller fall marathon. Maybe Quad Cities? Any suggestions?
Posted by bridget at June 11, 2005 06:51 PM
Comments
Heya. I am glad you took a day off! I feel the same way about these big races sometimes. So complicated and overwhelming dealing with so many people and everything that goes along with that...I don't have many suggestions though. I was thinking Philly for me (don't think it's going to happen) but that's smaller, cool temps, late in the season (November). So psyched your running is going so well!
Posted by: Audrey at June 12, 2005 06:25 AM
I know how you feel about taking a day off. I try to take one day a week off because it seems to help me recover and stay fresh. Congrats on another great race. As far as marathon suggestions go, there is Philly (late Nov, smaller), Steamtown (same day as Chicago, small town), and a variety of races in New England that I'm not too familiar with. Good luck in picking a race!
Blondie
Posted by: Blondie at June 12, 2005 06:30 PM
I think Philly is a great race, but it's so far away. Twin Cities? I haven't run it, but it seems like a popular race and a lot of good people will be doing it because it's the national championship this year. But I'd also say the same of Chicago (that it's popular, fast, and lots of good people will run it).
Congratulations on a great string of training! I'm glad you're taking some days off, too, because it's all about finding the right balance. It sounds like you're doing great, and it's really paying off in your racing already. You're inspiring me to get back in shape!!
Take care!
Posted by: Alison at June 13, 2005 08:48 AM
I was going to say Twin Cities as well but I guess it is full already. Steamtown is supposed to be nice, small, and flat.
Great job in the race!
Posted by: Barb at June 13, 2005 10:28 AM