Or: My Awesome Training Run!
Or: Damn the Windchill Makes it Cold
Or: Running Through Snow Banks: Tips on how to save your ankles
Just some alternate titles for this post.
It's done. 2009's edition of the Hypo Half Marathon! A few weeks ago I was looking forward to putting down a decent time on this run...as in down around 2 hours...but then a week of not sleeping and then getting violently ill, made me change my focus. This was now just a long training run getting my legs ready for the Half in May.
Started out running with a tri-gal who, imo, is super fast...she said she wanted me to pace her to a two hour run...I was like, that's nice, but considering my very best time is 1:57, I may dissappoint you! So we chatted for the first few kilometers and I was feeling really good, but it did not even cross my mind to try to run with her, cause that would be no good for later in the day!! So off she went and I totally hung back...goal #1 accomplished...just do my own thing at the start, don't think you are a hero and go out too fast!!
The course was an out and back on the trails. There were a few points where we actually had to trudge through snow banks...I shit you not!! I had to stop twice to let others coming the other way by as there was not enough room for both of us. The first half felt good...nice and steady...when it started to feel really good, I slowed down on purpose. Got to the turn around in just over about one hour. Just kept trying to run steady and stay strong both physically and mentally. Never did I want to walk. Goal #2 accomplished....it is still faster to run slow than it is to walk!! The only part I walked was up the Broadway Bridge which was at the 20km mark and uphill and the footing was kinda crappy. I thought it better to just walk than slip with tired legs and hurt something.
It was pretty nice on the way out but we ran back into the wind and holy smokes...it was dang cold..as in I could not feel my mouth and missed it one time with my gatorade!! Ha Ha!! Came in at 2:12...exactly what I did last year.
I feel really good about the run. I have not ran longer than about 1 hour and 15 since last September...so this was a friggin LONG way to run for me!! The time is slower than I think I am capable of, even at this time of year. But these last few weeks have been a good lesson in adjusting things in my head when life happens.
1 comment:
i'm so glad you had a good run and were totally ok with adjusting your goals. it happens! i always try to remind myself that there will always be another race to 'race' if need be.
happy belated birthday! we are only 5 days apart! or rather i'm 360 days older, tee hee.
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