Though the sun was hot, the air was humid, the hills of Umstead trail were more than gently rolling, the race went on. With three Imodium on board, a few animal crackers, and one chocolate Accel Gel down, the race was about to begin!
I had the best parking spot in town this morning. Got to park right smack next to the garbage dumpsters which provided great privacy for my tucked away pee spot. There is no way I'd wait in line for a nasty porta-potty when there are plenty of trees around. Was able to do a little warm up run around the parking lot before making my way to the start line. With the race director announcing the rules and warning of us many hills and the increased heat, we were all prepared to do or die.
The first two miles the only thoughts I had floating in my head were, "turn around, go back, don't run today." I hate those negative thoughts, but I had them until my legs stopped burning and I got into a groove (mile 3). The Umstead park area is gorgeous. Sure, the hills will kill you but the trees are so majestic, the trail is so well groomed, the peacefulness is amazing. No headphones allowed on the course today and funny thing, I only saw one person who didn't comply. There were many runners talking to each other, the chatting was quite sweet. From mile 3 until the end, I had two most fabulous mantra phrases going through my head that made me feel quite amazing. 1--You were born and bred to run hills, it's a piece of cake (that's why my quads are not skinny!) 2--the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. I repeated the first mantra up every hill and the second one with every curve I took (believe me, there were lots of both).
First turn around was at the top of the hill at mile 6, I took my only Accel Gel and kept plugging along. I know at mile 8 my watch said 1:04, and by mile 10 it said 1:20. From my 10 through the end, I felt the strongest, had the fastest splits, and really felt great.
Finish time was actually a new PR... 1:45:21...8:03 ave pace. Not fast, but it is faster. It was fast enough to put me 5th in my old lady age group (out of 47) and 105th overall (of 609). Very pleased with the mental toughness and the physical toughness today, it was a successful run. I know I can't keep up that speed for 26.2, but I also feel like it's possible to keep an 8:25 for 26.2, and that's my goal. The Ischemic Colitis was an issue (nausea hit by mile 10) but not until 2 hours after the race, so if I can keep it at bay for the marathon, then we'll be set. Starting a gluten-free diet this week...
2 comments:
Morven has the same problem so you should talk with her. Sounds like a good time bec you probably weren't expecting to run that fast.. hmmm.. sound familiar? Relaxed "I don't really care" attitude = record PR.
You've got me figured out Brian..."I don't care=PR run" :)
Guess that's the key...now how to figure out how to trick my brain into believing this marathon is just for fun?? Please figure that out for me too!
I did talk to Morven today which was very helpful. At least this diagnosis sure explains all the puking I've done in my running career (and more so in the summer).
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