Running Against Yourself

Running Against Yourself? What do you think?

I seem to hear this saying frequently. I have been thinking a lot about it. It applies to my experience with this past race. My last time was 1:59:24. I wanted to beat 2 hours...and I did. It was a great feeling.

But, I've noticed over this year that my pace has improved. I wanted to see how fast I'd be if I pushed myself and did some speed work. I don't think I'll ever be able to run a 6 minute mile....I'm too short for that anyways! But, it is fun for me to keep challenging myself. I love running, training, working hard, and then realizing that I have accomplished my goal. Maybe I am making up for lost time in my teenage years. Anyways, in August, I decided I wanted to run another race to see how fast I could be. I wanted my pace to be "in the eights."

*note: there is a huge shadow behind my thighs...I hope they aren't that big in real life*

Well....I am so excited because I did it. I came in at 1:51:19!!! Next time it is going to be below 1:50. My overall pace was 8:30 min/miles. I almost made the top 100. I came in 102. This was very exciting for me!

Here were my thoughts during the race:

Mile 1:

There are so many people. We were doing mostly canal running. I kept worrying that I'd fall in as I tried to pass people. I felt good but needed to push slightly. I didn't want to start out too slow. But I needed to conserve energy to burst it at the end.

First Water Station:

People came from the sides, cut me off, and then started walking. It irritated me!!! Threw off my pace for a few minutes. Overall, my cup grabbing technique has improved this year!! I don't think I got anyone wet this time, except for myself :)

Mile 3: I cheered....Yay! 3 Down!

Mile 6.5:

Turn-around time. I still felt really good. I wanted to hang in there for about 3.5 miles before pushing the last three miles to the end. It was hard to resist running too hard. I made this mistake last year and was exhausted at mile 11. But these miles went by fast. A lady with a bright pink tank top was in front of me. I tried to keep up with her. She kept waving and cheering and had great race energy.

Mile 9: Should I push now? Or try to hold off another mile? I started to push. But it worked out fine.

Mile 10 - 13.....

FASTER. Push!!! I was so excited because at the last 1/2 mile, I saw Maddy waiting on the corner with my kids (and a few cute ones of hers)!! They were cheering for me. I started to speed up and run as fast as I could the rest of the way into the stadium. It was a good spot for them to motivate me. It was so sweet of her to bring my boys so early in the morning. Thanks, Maddy! Wish she could have ran with me...it felt strange to not see her in front of me and have to find my own pacers.

Finish:

Sprint to finish. I haven't had the energy to do this my past 2 races. I was proud of myself for finishing strong. I was happy with my time, too!

I have been so hungry all day, though. I don't need a spoon, I need a SHOVEL!! I am not sure why, but even with my training I haven't been this hungry.

I am glad I did the training. But now what? I think I'll have to get another schedule to follow, even if I am not training for anything.

Until next time.......