As I drove up to the race site and felt that familiar buzz of excitement that always surrounds a race, I realized that I hadn't raced since the IronMan...and then I realized that I missed it.
The race was the Liberty Waterfront Run, with (you guessed it) most of the run along the water with amazing views of the New York City skyline and the Statue of Liberty. It was 60 degrees and not a cloud in the sky--a perfect day to run...a perfect day for just about anything, really.
I was running this half marathon as an 'easy' way to get in my long run this weekend. I'm tired of attempting to run for hours by myself, and I needed something to push me.
So, I ran 2 miles beforehand to warm up and also to increase the day's milage a little. The plan was to run 3m afterwards to get up to 18.
The race started at 8:30 and I relunctantly started to run. Since my long run last weekend, my legs have been feeling a little funny...they hurt just a little with every stride, and I just feel labored. So, for the first couple of miles I was worried that I wouldn't be able to finish the race.
Then, the strangest thing happened. I remembered how to run fast (fast by my standards, of course). By my watch I was running in the low 8's...which is something that I haven't done since February. I was passing people easily and I felt great. I hit mile 10 at 1:22 and rejoiced because I was sure I was going to PR. My fastest half marathon time so far is 1:54, and that was with Liz practically pulling me for the last couple of miles. I thought...damn, even with 10 minute miles I'm going to come in around 1:53 all by myself.
And then I died. All of sudden I could feel every step again and I could tell I was slowing WAY down...the last 5K was horrible, and although I didn't stop and walk, I sure as hell wanted to. All those people I passed? Yeah, they passed by me like I was nothing. I comforted myself with the fact that I had already ran 2 miles, so if I hadn't, I wouldn't have died until mile 12...but it was still really bad.
The official times aren't up yet, but I finished the race in 1:57:25 by my watch, which is an 8:58 pace. I was just aiming for an easy training run, and thought I'd finish somewhere around 2 hours, probably a little more...so really, it's a fine time. But, I couldn't have kept going, and I just ran an incredibly stupid race. I got cocky and got taken in by the fact that I was in a race.
I'm addicted to it all again, I must say. I came back and tried to find more races to do, and then realized that I really just need to freaking train for the race I'm already signed up for. There will be more races to sign up for later.
There were some really impressive runners there. I overheard someone saying he ran a 1:05, and that someone he knew ran a 1:01. Yeah. 1:01. I was at the half way point when they were finishing. It just kind of awes me, you know?
Needless to say, I didn't do my last 3 miles after the race. So, 15.1m for the day. Next week, I'll do a longer run of 18m...SLOWLY. hmph.
10 comments:
HI, that is still good-- 15.1 miles! Not many people can do that, to say the least. I wish I could say that we could! We are proud of you. Love, Mom and Dad
WOW! i didn't even know you had signed up for Philly, nonetheless you were running a 1/2 Mary!!
You're a running stud. Not to mention an Ironman (I still can't believe you went to France and did it!, sersly, it blows my mind)
Keep up the training, and you'll be happy with the end result in Philly!
welcome back, su! hoping that this was the hit you needed to get back on the wagon.
welcome back su - glad to see you're back at it. that's a great run - i would kill for a sub 2:00 half in vegas in december.
welcome back to the addicted club - i am part of it - just don't know what to do when my foot hurts so much I can't run :(.
Same thing happened to me in May....the last 3mi took me 33 minutes...still finished in 1:51, but absolutely blew up and ended up missing my 1:45 time I was on pace for.
Good for you to re-light the passion for running, it comes and goes with all of us from time to time.
I know what you mean to be in awe of the fast runners, I would love to be up there. But the best thing about endurance races (unless your getting paid to do it) is finishing it! To be able to cross that line is what its all about.
Cheers.
Rice.
It's easy to get caught up in the race. My last half was "supposed" to be a training run too. I look at it as a learning experience. I ran an 18 mile tune up race on Sunday and forced myself to take it easy for the first half. What a difference (physically and psychologically) it made at the end.
Good luck in Philly. I'm training for the marathon too. Forty days to go.
Now that's what I like to see. "Back on the horse," as we say here in Tejas.
I can identify with your half marathon experience - at CDC, I followed the 8:00 pacers until mile 10, and when they did their kick at the finish, I was dying the last 6K..Good luck in Philly (start slooowwwww). Go Team!
Great job on the half!!! That's a great time.
Good luck in Philly! I bet that's a beautiful course.
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