It was a cool, damp morning as a steady mist filled the air. I waited near the front of the pack for the start of the race, a mere ten feet from Michael Wardian, the US 100k champion, you have to love road racing were the best in the world run at the same time as the rest of us!
The gun sounded and we were off, I ran my fastest ever first mile in a race, passing the one mile mark in 6:30, then came the second mile mark and I looked down at my watch and I had run close to a 6:35 for the second mile, I was going strong, passing the 5k mark in 21 minutes I was really feeling good. Then came the second half...
The first half of the race was straight downhill (that explains the great splits) and some of those downhills were very much downhill. The problem was this was an out and back course, now I had to tackle the uphill half (some of it very much uphill). My goal was to make it to mile four with a good pace and then stumble through the fifth mile and then run for the finish. It didn't quite happen like that, I certainly stumbled through the fifth mile having to take a short break on one of the hills to make sure I didn't lose my breakfast.
I hit the last mile and... once again felt my breakfast trying to escape, so I took a short walk break until I was tapped on the elbow by a fellow competitor who urged me to run on. Her words of encouragement are now the bane of my day, "If I can do it seven months pregnant so can you." Great words for about a quarter mile until I slowed and she disappeared into the distance, I was left behind by a pregnant woman!
As I reached the last quarter mile I took note of my time, I could still get in in under 45 minutes but I'd have to run hard... gag reflex... swallow... gag reflex... swallow. Decision time, run hard and barf on the run or slow down and finish with my dignity and breakfast intact? Slow down.
I ran the last quarter mile very conservatively and finished in 45:15 at 7:17 pace. I met my goal and mostly enjoyed the race although I was a little disappointed that I couldn't finish strong.
That'll teach you to have the Denny's Grand Slam Breakfast on the way to the race! Seriously, nice job, especially considering the terrain. Looking forward to hitting the ten-miler together. We are optimistic we'll get good news after Jan's surgery on Tuesday and we'll all four be able to run together.
Posted by: Brian and Jan | May 10, 2008 at 09:20 PM