Tis The Season

I've given you a break from my running ventures for long enough. And considering it's race season again it should only be expected that I'm going to just have to share a few more stories.

I like fall racing season. I think in general things during a fall race have a greater chance of going a bit better than spring races. After running in the freezing winter months, spring races have the potential to break you physically if the weather takes a sudden turn to a heat wave. On the contrary, after training in the melting, stifling heat of summer fall races are usually* a welcome respite.

We thought that we would go for a repeat race  to see if we could do better than our previous times. There's nothing like aiming for a PR on the exact same course. I think it's a truer measure of the progress you've made. The only variable is the weather; everything else is more or less the same. So what better way to compete with yourself?

So off we went to run the Salem Wicked Half Marathon again.

Last year I had only been back to running after Nouvelle's birth for about 4 months, amongst a slew of other struggles. I was still proud of my time then - but this year went remarkably better!

Once again though, I wasn't quite feeling ready for this race. After getting back from Utah it has been hard to feel back to myself completely. A lot of things haven't been as enjoyable as they normally are, and even running has been hard for me to do. For the past month I've had to really convince myself to get out the door to go running. Of course I am always glad I do, but...well it's been hard.

The night before the race I didn't even know what goals to set for myself. I admit I was kind of floundering. I thought maybe I would just run it along with whatever Justin was hoping to do (If I could keep up with that). Plus this was just a trial race to help me prepare for my bigger race coming up in a few weeks (which, by the way, I have also been feeling unsure about. What can I realistically expect from myself? Did I peak back in June and now I'm just coasting along or barely hanging in there? How hard can I push myself? etc etc etc). 

(Maybe I shouldn't point out, but I just can't help myself - doesn't Justin have the greatest legs? By the way he has a really nice butt too! I'm just sayin'.)

The day was WAY more humid than I'd like (96% humidity! Ug!). I was sweating so much that even wind resistance didn't keep the stinging sweat out of my eyes! At least it stayed mostly overcast though!

I was feeling really well (ok minus the vomit that for some reason decided to keep creeping up my throat into my mouth. I'll blame it on the illness that was making it's way through my family the week prior to this race). I enjoyed the magnificent scenery of the Salem coast and neighborhoods - with its sailboats floating in the harbor - under a slate gray sky, the French and Italian inspired mansions, the quaint historical buildings of American history. It is a pretty run.

I kept us slightly ahead of the pace goals that Justin had decided on, and things jut kept going along really well. I hit a slight wall around mile 9.5 but I think that is right when my Gu kicked in, so it didn't last too long. As soon as I made it to the top of the hill at mile 10 I was really hitting my stride. I really wanted to shift up to high gear. Maybe I just wanted to get the race over with! Unfortunately, Justin couldn't quite keep up the new pace with me (or as he likes to say he "couldn't accelorate." Really though what's the difference? :) haha ). I hope it's ok that I left him behind. Don't judge. I think it's a fair agreement - and yes, I would have been ok if he'd left me behind if the roles were reversed. But maybe he never would. Hmmm. Maybe I am a "terrible person" - I'll get over it.

The last few miles are always hard. I think no matter how fast or slow you are running they should always feel like hell. If you're running your race right, it should at least. I think races are the time to leave absolutely EVERYTHING on the course. Whatever that looks like for a person, it's the time to give it absolutely all you've got. That's one of the reasons I like races. It is the perfect situation to truly see how far you can go. For some reason just a training run on your own doesn't seem to create the same amped up experience as a race.

Side note: I don't think the last few miles should be so hard that you have to slow down your pace significantly or (heaven forbid) walk. If that's the case then you have probably not paced yourself correctly at the beginning of the race (but that is probably a subject for a running blog or something like that - which I don't have, so you're spared). It's only my opinion, but I just think you you should feel completely spent.

I was spent, sure enough. And coming around the last mile and that stupid little hill right towards the end about made me pass out! 

Minus the inch long blister I accrued during the run on my toe, I felt significantly better crossing the finish line this year than last.

 And thankfully Justin wasn't too far behind!

 

It was a fun race to do (mostly) together. 

We got to watch our friends cross the finish line together, and were so proud of Jeff who is working through his distaste of running. There's hope Jeff. And it all begins today!

Amy and I couldn't help busting a move to the soul pounding music. Something about 80's music just makes you want to do the running man, right?

Improving my last year's time by over 18 minutes and setting a new half marathon PR was magnificent!

Taking second place in my age division was above and beyond any expectations! I even got this cool glass to put my beer...I mean soda in! :)

But best of all is I feel way more prepared mentally and physically for my marathon in a few weeks. Now I know a bit better what to aim for during that race. And who knows? Maybe I'll just achieve it!

 

One more side note:

Regarding Running/Racing etiquette - When entering a water station take your water and keep moving. Don't come to a dead stop as soon as they hand you a cup. There are runners behind you! And by ALL MEANS, do NOT spit a mouthful of said water on the runner who just about plowed you over from behind and had to bust some crazy move to get around you! Your courtesy would be appreciated next time.

Comments

[Grandmere]

That's a huge improvement - way to go! I can see the Acadia race will now be easier to prepare for mentally. I'm glad you enjoy it so much. You better be distributing your medals around the house or your house is apt to lean like the Tower of Pisa if you keep them all in one place!

[Amy Kyle]

You rock. I just want the record to state, I knew you would place. And check out those guns on your finish line pic! Seriously!