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May 1, 2005
Lacking Motivation
Race Report:
Well the race went well, I guess. I didn't feel very good though, I think maybe I should have left the Lost Energy Drink at the store or at least not mixed energy drinks by downing a Sobe Adrenaline Rush also. I'm actually used to the both drinks, I just haven't ever done both and don't really know why I did today. It wasn't a good idea though and I could barely drink any water during the race because I was fairly nauseous.
Compounding my poor choice of pre-race drink was the severe lack of racing or even running hard for the past 6 weeks. I was pleasantly surprised to come through the first mile in 4:59 and the second mile in 10:09 feeling fairly comfortable. Of course the first two miles are a bit downhill and miles 3 & 4 are signficant uphill. From past experience I've found that no matter how slow I go out I die on these hills so its just best to go out fast and try not to die too much. I missed the 3 mile marker, but clicked in at 21:29 at mile 4, giving me 5:40s for miles 3 and 4, but still 5:18 pace for the first 4 miles. I knew with "Doomsday" hill ahead that sub-40 wasn't going to happen, but I felt pretty sure of getting the sub-41.
The 5th mile is net downhill and is right at the beginning of "Doomsday Hill". I tried my best to get back on 5:20 pace, but only managed a 5:26. I was still feeling pretty good though, just no motivation to really push. I don't remember feeling like I was hurting the whole race! I needed one of my rivals to come up along side me. I didn't recognize anyone that past me though and I couldn't see anyone ahead of me that provided any motivation to chase them down.
Doomsday was pretty quick and I felt great at the top. One of my sub-goals of the race is to pass more people in the last 2 miles than go past me. This provided me some incentive to pick it up. Mile 6 (up the hill) was 5:57, and mile 7 was 5:30. At 7 miles, 735 meters to go, I had been past by 2 runners and past 0 so I needed a big kick to pass 2 at the finish. I clocked in at 2:18 over the last stretch and finished in 40:40. My goal was to run under 41 minutes and I was successful. But I think if I had felt a little better and more motivated I could have gone at least 40:15.
On another positive note I avenged at least one of my 2nd place finishes by nipping the winner of the St. Patrick's day race at the line.
I'm probably most happy that I don't feel exhausted and I'll be able to get in some good mileage next week, not losing too much ground on Alison :)
James' Running week 1 of 1: 36 of about 36 miles
Sun: 11 miles, Bloomsday Road Race 40:40
Sat: 0 miles
Fri: 5 miles AM, 4x200m with 2.5 up, 2 down
Thurs: 0 miles
Wed: 8 miles, Pizza Run
Tues: 0 miles
Mon: 12 miles, IPROnB Hard + Karlins
Posted by at May 1, 2005 7:12 PM
Comments
Hey James. Impressive time. Craziness to read a race report on here with a sub-5 mile. It's also kind of cool you have a regular race to run in. And it looks like you were motivated enough to beat the St.Patrick's day guy. I imagine that felt great.
Have a good week.
Posted by: Audrey at May 2, 2005 3:23 AM
James, great race! Way to go! And awesome that's you're recovering so well.
Posted by: Nanda at May 2, 2005 8:26 AM