You might have noticed (or not) that I have been running a lot of races lately. Part of that reason is because I am trying to qualify for the NYC Marathon 2013 with the 9 plus 1 option. Which means I have to run 9 NYRR races in NYC this year and volunteer for 1. But instead of doing it in a year, I am going to do it in 6 months.
My thought process for finishing 9 races in 6 months was…
1. I’m training for a spring marathon already so just add the races in as training runs. I’m a genius.
2. I won’t try to PR the races…I will just be running them for fun to complete 9 plus 1.
3. I like to procrastinate. A lot. Which leads to stress. Which leads to pimples. Which leads to heart attacks. So if I can take one less stressful thing out of my life (aka waiting until the last minute to complete my 9th race) then I guess I should do it.
Here is what my thought process didn’t consist of:
1. Meggie.
That face screams Determination. or “Where’s the closest 16 Handles?”
Last week, Meggie (who is making a comeback after a running injury) asked me if I was “racing” the Scotland 10K. I asked her to “define racing”. Because let’s be honest, I don’t really “race”. I run. Sometimes I run faster than other times, but I would never ever consider myself “racing”.
Anyway, Meggie, of course wants to race the Scotland 10K. I, on the other hand, had “8 easy miles” on my training schedule (6.1 of which I planned on running as the Scotland 10K)….and a 14 miler scheduled for the next day.
But peer pressure got to me. Actually that’s a lie. I wanted to run with Meggie. She’s kind of fun! Plus I figured she wouldn’t want to go that fast. She WAS coming back from an injury…and this was her “comeback race”. She would want to take it easy, right??
Lies…
We did a 1 mile warm-up at 10:28 pace (nice and slow) before the race. Then the race started. We were weaving our first mile (thanks to 11,000 other runners). Then I felt like I was in a groove. Miles 2 – 4, my pace felt nice. Mile 5 was the best (Mile 6 below). We were passing people left and right…I felt soooo cool. Then Mile 6 (Mile 7 below), I died a little. Although on the Garmin it doesn’t really show that. Isn’t it always surprising what the Garmin says versus how you actually feel?
Purple = Race miles.
I was actually really happy with my overall time (below). I tried to not push it considering I had 14 miles to run the next day, but I also surprised myself by running some negative splits.
By the way, Meggie totally crushed the race. She sprinted a head of me the last half a mile (after I told her to go ahead of me).
Photo after the race. Holding a Picky Bar. I ate one before the race. Obvs. (Unfortunately I am not sponsored by Picky Bars, but I kind of wish I was.)
With the marathon coming up, this race was a little bit of a confidence booster. Although everyday I change my mind about how I feel about trying to run a Sub-4 marathon. Some runs I feel like it could happen…other runs I think, “How am I even going to make it 26.2 miles?” I have doubts and I have concerns…But with 24 days until the marathon, I really need to pull myself together.
How do you pull yourself together (mentally) for a race? I downloaded The Power of Positive Thinking on iTunes, but I need some more suggestions!
{ 9 comments }
Awesome job!!! Are you doing the mini 10k?
Those are some fast splits at the end! You could totally go way faster in a 10k!!
Lies. You race, too. What do you call those half marathons you PR’ed in? RACING.
This is why I can’t run the Eugene half – I have no self control. “Are we running like 9:15s?” “Umm, no, 8:20s” I’m glad after 3 years of running I still have no concept of what pace I’m going. Old habits die hard.
Ok, seriously, thanks for running with me! It made it much more fun and its easier when you have someone to work off of. Are you signed up for healthy kidney 10K? Repeat? SAY YES.
Hooray! Nice pace, congrats!!
Congrats on negative splits and a great race!!
Awesome race! I was there. It was pretty darn crowded. I go into every race saying I’m NOT going to race it, but then my competitive side takes over and I start full-out sprinting. Haha. Good luck on your upcoming marathon!!
also, read the book “run” by matt fitzgerald. it will help. pinkie promise.
I, too, wish I was sponsored by picky bars.
Funny…I know exactly what you mean about looking at the Garmin and being surprised. Unfortunately the last time it really stood out in my mind with a discrepancy, it was going the other way! I wish I had it your way instead! It was during mile 22 of the marathon when I felt like I had a second wind. I was like, “dang, where’d I suddenly get all this speed from?!” and then I looked down and realized I was barely holding up my pace / a bit slower. haha. I guess I just felt like i was going faster because I was exerting so much more effort to go the same speed -bah!
You will DEFINITELY be fine in the marathon – all of the race day energy and people cheering will help! This is coming from a girl who vommed after like 35% of her training runs and still made it through race day feeling great. Good luck!!!
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