First some back ground: It rained like crazy last night, I kept watching the radar through the night, and I was convinced it would be a soggy run…But when I got down stairs I turned on the news, and the weather girl said all the rain would be to the north of us and it would be dry for the run. Woo Hoo! I left any kind of rain gear and warm up shirts at home - BUT DANG HER… It rained like crazy for the start of the run and the first hour or so. I don’t know if it would have made a difference, but I think I would have been a little warmer at the start if I’d have been better prepared.
Also, I pretend that I am really not into my running times…I never wear a watch or time myself when running. But, in the back of my head I always have goals. So I publicly stated I’d like to run a 2:10 for the 25K, but 8 minute miles (a 2:04) would have been nice, but I really, really would have loved to break 2 hours for the run (my best time ever for this run is 1:56 – but that was 9 years ago.)
So at the start, I positioned myself near the 8:00 minute pace runner. When the starting horn went off I felt great!! I have been battling knee problems all spring and this was first day that both knees were good! No pain at all - I was fired up! I went past the 8:00 minute pacer and figured if I was going to break 2 hours, the time to go is now! No way I could just hang with the 8:00 pace and gain 4 minutes at the end. So I pushed it and I felt really good, at least for the first 6 miles…everyone knows the rest of the story…I was slowing down mile by mile, then the 8:00 minute pace group passed me at 11 miles. My thighs were just killing me - I had to slow down.
I struggled to keep the 8:00 group in sight, but it was too late…they were gone. I was bummed that I went out too fast and couldn’t finish strong – I do that so often! Some day I am hoping the knowledge of my old age will kick in and I’ll pace myself better – after a mile of lamenting, I remembered my first 2:10 goal and started watching the splits and knew I could make it. I crossed the finish line at 2:08:06 (an 8:16 min/mile pace). My thighs were super tight at the finish – I knew I left it all on the course. (And 6 hours they’re still killing me!)
Guess I better get over the stigma of running for time and get me a watch! In the end, I was happy with my run today - Thanks for listening to me babble!
3 comments:
Great recap of the race. I felt like I was right there with ya, BUT my legs aren't sore. I am very proud of your time, and also of the healthy breakfast you have in your hand, or is that snacks or lunch? Way to go, little bro.
His breakfast was a Clif bar. These are his free, post-race snacks! He looked good out there! I'm proud of you too Jim!
Wow James, I can't believe my little brother, not so little, can run so fast at his age, over 40!! Hokey Pokey, you are an insperation! I just want to know if the free yogurt after the race was an insentive. What a guy. When you retire, maybe you should consider a play-by-play sportscaster!
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