Well, the Ringling Bridge Run came and went without a hitch. The morning started with a 4 mile “pre-run” in the pitch dark. We started & finished at the race’s starting line, but didn’t run over the bridge.
My usual running partner from the Karna group was out of town so I was huffing it on my own…trying like MAD to keep up with the rest of the ladies in the group.
I partially succeeded – they were only about 30 yards in front of me the whole time (whereas on regular runs they end up anywhere from .25-.50 min in front of me).
I kept thinking, ”What kind of assistant coach am I if I can’t keep up? What a JOKE!”
In the end, I kept an average pace of 11:56/mi which is super considering most of my long runs are in the 12:15 range.
But I was feeling super frustrated and honestly, on the verge of tears because I felt so inadequate.
For the race, instead of “chasing” the group the entire time, I let them start about 3 min ahead of me & I jumped in towards the back of the pack for my trip over the bridge & back.
This let me have my “own” race – instead of obsessing over how far away I was (or wasn’t) getting from the rest of the team.
I rocked out to some techno – hello Skrillex and Swedish House Mafia – and tried not to let my mind get the best of me.
When the race first started, my legs felt like lead weights. I guess running for fast-ish miles then standing around for 30 min waiting for the race to start took its toll. So it took me about 10 min to loosen back up.
I eased off going up the bridge, and then let myself sail down the other side.
I’m actually in this picture, I promise! (Source)
By the time I hit the turn around & made my way back up the bridge I was feeling a bit better.
I hadn’t looked at my Garmin once & at that point my time was at the bottom of my list of concerns. All I was concerned about was not finishing the race in a funk.
Although I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t excited when I saw 24:00 on the clock at the 2-mil turn around point!
In the end, I didn’t PR (last year my chip time was 45:51) but I came super close with a chip time of 46:20 for an average pace of 11:33/mile! So much for worrying about hitting a 12:10 pace, huh?
It felt really good to know that I can PUSH for 8 miles – I guess that’s the whole point of a “race”, isn’t it?
So I’m feeling better about things – and resting up for this week’s long run, a 9 miler which may or may not take place on Thursday morning before work.
WHAT ABOUT YOU: Do you “race” races and push harder/run faster than your weekly long runs? Or do you simply get through the miles at the same pace you would for any other run?
I like to hit the weekly long runs at my target race pace for that long race. To decrypt that statement, it means that I take long runs as close to an 8:00 pace as possible, because that’s my target pace for the last and next marathon. So far my longest run was 20 miles at exactly an 8 m/m pace. and the last marathon was finished at an 8:54 pace because I got slower as the race went on. otherwise known as blowing the plan.
I’ve always been worried that I’d burn out if I did too many long runs at my goal race pace. I’m glad I got this long run/race in at a faster pace though – it’s encouraging to know that I’ll actually be able to push myself during my upcoming half marathons!
Theresa,
You’re so cool for actually runnning and then posting your honest writings. The whole thing is awesome- really! I think it the best thing about your adventure today was that you beat the mindfunk. It’s an ugly cloud that happens to the best of us. But you beat it, you best it, you know you won. down down baby….
Seriously- thanks for doing and posting!
Kelley, I can’t tell you how much this comment means to me! It’s a constant struggle for me to get out there and keep going, especially when I’m having a “moment” and self-doubting. Days like Saturday when I’m actually able to get out of hte slump defintely help me feel like it’s all worth it. Shimmy shimmy coco pop…
Good for you for running an awesome race! I wanted to do this race, but we were out of town for the weekend (obvi, since I know you read my post!). I tend to really push it for races. To me, my training runs are more about the distance I’m covering, and I usually throw some interval runs in every couple of weeks to work my muscles. Race day, though, is about pushing myself to the limits!
My main focus during long runs is also just getting the distance. I definitely try not to go too slow, but if I focused on speed every week I think I’d really start hating running!
Great job on the run!!!
Is it crazy that I love that bridge? Can’t wait for March 11th
I have been LOVING Skillrex lately. They are definitely on my Miami Half playlist
As for pushing myself — I hate it. Every bit of it – but I feel SO amazing afterwards!!
I can’t say I love the bridge – but I don’t hate it yet either. The novelty has certainly worn off for me since I run it every.single.weekend during my long run!
Great job, girl! First race of 2012 under your belt and looks like it’s going to be a great racing year for you!
I sure hope so!