Boston Marathon Race Report

As the bus pulls into Hopkinton, Matt asks, "Did we get off the bus here last time?" While I'm pretty sure we did, everything looks unfamiliar. We later agree that pretty much everything about Marathon Monday looks different than our last visit to Hopkinton in 2015. Funny what some sunshine will do to change the view. We're not there more than five minutes and I've already sweating in my warmups. That's not a good sign.

Packet pickup and lunch with two of my favorite blog pals and the furry husband.

Matt and I spent the weekend leading up to the race exploring Brookline, the city we chose to keep hotel expenses down before moving near Boston Common on Sunday. While we tried to limit the amount of time spent on our feet, we still explored the city, indulging in a fun poutine restaurant, caused a ruckus (huzzah!) at the Boston Tea Party Museum, and made the requisite pilgrimage to the heart of the city for packet pickup, my legs still aren't as fresh as they could be.

At least I wore sensible shoes?

I spend most of the morning either hunkered down in a tent or waiting in the never-ending porta potty lines. While my marathon experience is now almost twenty finishes strong, I have yet to master the art guessing which line will move the fastest. As a bead of sweat rolls down my back, I take time to appreciate the irony of a single small snowbank piled on the ground at the head of the line. Springtime is a fickle mistress like that.

No gloves? But where will I put my inhaler?

Before I know it, Matt has left my side and they're soon calling my group to the line. I tuck into my corral just as it pushes forward to the start line. I expect the pace to pick up once we're officially over the starting line, but it doesn't. For all the qualifiers in my corral running identical times to my PR, one would expect the pace to be faster, but it isn't. I'm weaving around everyone and still not hitting my goal pace. I can't tell if it's the temperature, already seventy degrees, or my nervous weaving, but the effort level feels too much for this early in the race.

By the first mile marker, I realize that droplets of sweat are falling from my hair and landing on the back of my legs. As I watched the forecast temperature rise throughout the weekend, I knew this would happen, however I didn't expect it to be so soon. I look around to spot other sweaty runners. At first, I appear to be alone in my overheating.


Mile 1: 7:56
Mile 2: 7:51
Mile 3: 8:02

It takes forever to reach mile three, home of the first aid station. My mouth is dry and I notice myself licking my gums and lips to regain some moisture. My splits confirm what I already know: this is not going to be a PR day. As I debate what to do about the rest of the race, the miles tick on by. It would be so easy to pull back now and regroup for my local spring marathon on May 7. I'm not usually emotional, but I find myself choking back tears a lot during the first 10K unsure what to do about my race. I'm not sure why it is happening but convince myself to stop. You're missing it all. You're running the BOSTON MARATHON! Enjoy it!  I make the decision to pull to the right side of the road and high five every person with his or her hand out.

Mile 4: 8:00
Mile 5: 8:01
Mile 6: 8:03

A huge grin spreads across my face and my spirits lift. Nothing compares to the crowd on Patriot's Day! Compared to the cold rainy day in 2015, weather for the spectators this year is incredible. Even if everything else about this race ends up sucking, my second trip to Boston is worth it to experience the crowds in full force.

I don't know how a friend found me in this video but heck yes! Full version here, I'm at 9:46.

Unofficial aid stations are everywhere. I take advantage of a few garden hoses, open fire hydrants, and handfuls of ice. I toss a few cubes down my shirt, in my shorts, and under my hat. While I'm certainly not cool, it's comfortable. As the ice cubes clink against one another, I think back to the Green Bay Marathon of 2012 and 2013. Those were hot days and I had fun too reminding myself of one thing: I know how to run a hot weather marathon safely. Let's repeat that, I tell myself. No med tent, no med tent, the voice in my head sings with each rhythmic footfall.

Then I spot the person with perhaps the best racing outfit for the day. It takes a few moments for my brain to recognize what I'm seeing, but there really is a man running up ahead with only a loincloth and bib number on. It looks breezy and cooling. I shamelessly stare at his behind, trying to figure out if he really is naked under there. Spoiler alert: Yes he is. It's fun to watch the crowd's reaction as he runs by. We'll be together for the next several miles. (Runner's World wrote an article about him.)

I've given up looking at my watch other than to record my mile splits. I know that I shouldn't be surprised because I almost always race a marathon based on feel, but my splits are holding strong right at right about an eight minute pace. I still haven't decided on my pacing strategy for the day but this feels comfortable right now.

Mile 7: 8:04
Mile 8: 8:02
Mile 9: 8:06
Mile 10: 8:01

The miles continue to pass in a blur of high fives and fire hydrants, refreshing enough to buoy me along. Official aid stations are filling the cups to the top and I've settled into a routine of taking one big gulp of water and then dumping the rest on the back of my neck. I'm not breaking any speed records, but I'm surviving. It's about here I notice that I'm starting to pass people. I know it's too early to pass this many people and I wonder if I'm surging or if they're slowing, glancing down at my watch for confirmation.

From here onward, I begin passing people more steadily. It's a surreal feeling, really. Then I pass Santa Claus. Am I dreaming?

Mile 11: 8:04
Mile 12: 7:57
Mile 13: 8:08

First Half: 1:45:13
 
After a disappointing trip through Wellsley in 2015, this year more than makes up for it. I enjoy the signs and high fives, ending up behind a guy who seems to be kissing just about every girl. I'm having so much fun! My favorite sign was held by two girls who seemed to be naked: "Kiss us and we'll drop our sign!"

Mile 14: 7:56
Mile 15: 8:09

As I reach mile fifteen, I revisit my race plan. When Matt and I discussed what I should do knowing I don't fare well in the heat, we decided that if I wanted to run another marathon in three weeks, I needed to make a decision at mile fifteen. It's not easy to make this decision on tired legs. Run another marathon? Sounds. Hard. Hell no I'm not doing this again in less than a month.

Boston is different than other marathons. Friends and family are watching. It's hard to intentionally slow down, I know someone will see my splits and be worried. I think back to another piece of advice Matt gave me: No matter what pace you're going, keep it steady and nobody will notice if your day isn't going as planned. Be intentional. So that becomes my new race plan.

Mile 16: 7:47
Mile 17: 8:07
Mile 18: 8:16

Over the course of the next few miles, I find myself not pacing off other runners but off several ambulances, headed for the medical tents. I take these moments to check in on myself. Other than my feet feeling a little more sore (swollen maybe?) than usual, I'm faring well. Good job body! The course twists and turns a little more here and I notice myself audibly sighing when a crosswind blows through my singlet. Relief!

Mile 19: 8:17
Mile 20: 8:02
Mile 21: 8:21

I'm cruising along up the hills, sailing back down the other side. Each uphill of the Newton Hills is gradual and exactly what my long runs look like at home. After a down-sloping first half, my legs are enjoying the change. I having so much fun that I don't even notice I've completed the most difficult part of the course until I spot the runner ahead of me tap the "Top of Heartbreak Hill" sign.

From here, I know the downhills are more noticeable. I get a little bit too excited and start ruminating about a fast finish. All my long runs this spring have included at least four or five fast ending miles. Can I pull it off again today?

Mile 22: 7:44
Mile 23: 7:57

My favorite part of the course is Brookline. On the right, series of brick homes line the street. The other side is the train. It's perfectly straight, there's a slight downhill, and I can see the Boston skyline appear.  From this vantage point, I spot an unusual set of moving arrows up ahead. They keep changing direction and I can't quite make out what is happening. Upon my arrival, I realize it's the way they're allowing spectators to cross the road without impeding runners. Pretty cool. You can see a video of it here.

I make it through two miles before I realize that perfectly descending splits won't happen today. While the last four miles is the perfect place to take a few risks with the heat, I know it's a no-go and slow it back down to my original cruising effort. As it turns out, relaxing into it is all I need to maintain that faster pace.

Mile 24: 7:47
Mile 25: 7:53

I pass through a tunnel under a busy street. Back in 2015, with the same goal as I originally set for today, this underpass nearly unraveled me. My legs seized up and I couldn't bear the thought of another step. Today? A totally different runner! While my speed wasn't proving to be much different, I realize that slowing today is optional!

I grab my final water at an aid station just before Fenway Park. Then it's left on Hereford. Now I'm weaving so much around struggling runners that I know I'm wasting precious energy. As I make my final turn onto Boylston Street, I get caught behind a runner whose shuffling slows me to a full stop.

Mile 26: 7:43

The one thing they don't tell you about the Boston Marathon is that the stretch on Boylston is long. Like half a mile long. Just enough to make the finish close enough to see, but not enough to start a big kick yet. I feel my pace fade a little bit until I glance at my watch. I realize that I might be able to make it under 3:30. I launch into a huge kick, teeth bared and everything because my mouth is so dry, which Marathon Foto was so lovely to capture for me, and go for it. I look down one last time to see 3:29:47 on my watch. F A S T E R!!

Mile 26-finish: 1:34, 6:49/mi.

3:30:01
8:01/mi.

Aww dammit. Those stupid two seconds. Can't say I didn't try. I ordered that finish shot, by the way. I'll post it when it comes in the mail. It's sort of awesome.

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As I shuffle through the finish chute collecting my foil superhero cape and assorted goodies, it dawns on me: Did I just negative split the Boston Marathon course?! Notorious for a more challenging second half, I can barely believe it. It's not until I get back to the hotel that I can examine the numbers and confirm. Negative split of nearly thirty seconds and a course PR! What truly surprised me was my finish place. While my time in 2015 was almost the same as today, my finish placed me almost 7,000 people ahead of last time! I completed the course as the 7,051st runner out of 28,000!

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I find Matt waiting for me, holding a single red rose. "A guy walked by while I was waiting, 'Buy a rose for your favorite runner', he shouted." Matt explained. I guess that's me? Hehe.

While I later learn his day was the exact opposite of mine, he excitedly asks to hear about mine first. Then he teasingly accuses me of stealing all of our matching toenail polish mojo for myself today before beginning his story.

His day slowed down at mile six with a calf cramp. From there, the warm dry air gave him a nosebleed. While his training indicated something in the 2:50 range, he finished in 3:07. Poor guy. It's especially disappointing to have a bad day at a race as expensive as Boston. All costs included, it's about $3000 for both of us to attend this event. A redemption race here is just not practical.

Good or bad, finishing a marathon is always an accomplishment!

With some of the other HumCo runners: Dave, Jeff, and Mariah. K. Ryan photo.

Boston Marathon Result

3:30:01

Not the time I wanted because it was too hot, but I'm very happy with the way I handled myself. Not many people had a good day, but I managed to be one of them.

I'll share more when I'm reunited with a proper keyboard.

Boston Goals

It's that time again. I enjoy the training process so much that race day always sneaks up on me. This time tomorrow, I'll be tucking in early and dreaming speedy dreams.

Since my laptop died the day before we left home, I'm writing this post from a tablet and will try to be brief so my poor thumbs don't fall off. Please excuse any typos or unfortunate auto correct issues.

Okay. So race day. Marathon Monday.

Weather: I'm a little worried about the forecast. 71 degrees, sunny, and a 15 MPH tailwind. I know some people thrive at this temperature, but I'm not one of them. I run best about 20 degrees cooler. That said, there are some things I can do to mitigate the heat related slowdown. I may be able to push it off until the last few miles where I hope to meet the sea breeze. My last marathon at this temperature was Mountains2Beach in 2014. Maybe you'll remember how that turned out? Two words: med tent.

Friday's run, 50 degrees and sunny

Fueling plan: Salt tabs, once an hour. Gel every 6-8 miles. Water stations will be every mile, so I can definitely make a lot of stops. Lastly: Body Glide. I'm going to apply it as if I'm racing in the rain. I plan to dump a lot of water on myself to stay cool.

Pace plan: Compared to the past few training blocks,  this one has been excellent. I broke two PRs en route to the marathon and effort vs. pace has certainly shifted. If all goes exactly to plan and the weather is conducive,  I think I could reasonably expect to break 3:25. If not, finish time depends when the over heating begins. My goal is to start out at a 7:45 pace (3:23) and see how it feels. I've got enough of these marathon things under my belt that I know what each point in the race should feel like if I'm doing it right. After my M2B med tent day, my main goal is always to finish in one piece. Running races shouldn't end with medical intervention.

If the weather forces a slowdown before 15 miles, I will slow it down even more to training pace and revisit my goal at a May 7th marathon.  Otherwise, I'm going for it. Wish me luck!

Hammond Hill 5K Race Report

Matt jumps out of bed first. He pulls open the shade and it reveals a rainy morning. I'm reluctant to get up, wondering if it's really worth racing in the rain at forty degrees. If we hadn't planned to carpool with Rachel, I might have lowered the shade and gone back to sleep. When we pile into her car, she says the same thing. Over the course of the next hour, it will go from a full downpour, to clouds, and then to sunshine. As I peel off the top layer I had planned on wearing, I'm glad I didn't hunker down at home after all.

Good morning. Where's my breakfast?

After my most recent race, I began to wonder if I start shorter races too conservatively. Then on Thursday, I completed one of my tempo runs, two miles in thirteen minutes flat, which happened to be a breakthrough day for me because I broke my mile PR twice in one run.

Previous PR: 6:42

After I uploaded my watch data to Strava, Alex asked when I'd be going for a twenty-minute 5K. It wasn't until I plugged that training run's pace into a calculator that I realized he was right. One more mile at that pace would have equaled a time squarely in the twenty minute range.

With a steep 150 foot hill in mile two, obviously this wouldn't be the race for that goal, but could I nudge my time closer? Hmmm.. The wheels began turning. This race in particular provides motivation to run hard. Runners are tested against the USATF time tables and awarded pins for age graded results.

These time trials are meant to be on flat courses, however. As a result I'm always a bit slower and consistently fall into the white pin category. I have six of the darn things. Could it be time for a red pin? To accomplish that, I would have to finish in less than twenty-two minutes, which I considered a tall order because my fastest time on this course is 22:48. I decided it was worth trying. Even if I blow up, it's not like I'd be suffering for an hour due to my error like I would in a marathon.

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The race begins. Suddenly, I realize I'm not far behind the speedy ladies, both of whom have been breaking twenty minutes a lot lately. I try not to freak out. You don't need to slow down. This is how hard you've been pushing in tempo runs lately. You. can. hold. this. pace.

Mile 1: 6:41

I glance off to the right. Waves crash on the beach, a sparkling blue light reflecting from each one. I can see mountains off in the distance. The air is so crisp and clear that I'm seeing Kneeland, some twenty miles away. It's under a fresh blanket of snow this morning and I'm surprised enough that I wonder if it's a mirage. Then I glance back to the left. I've been avoiding looking at it all this time, but I can't ignore it anymore: the hill. Ugh.

Taken on a run in January.

Luckily, the climbing comes in two parts. I don't see all of it at once. In fact, the above shot only captures about a quarter of the hill. I tackle each visible section separately. I almost always have to stop and walk some part of it, but not today. I know my pace is slowing to a crawl, but the effort level is high enough and my legs are still moving ahead without dropping me to the ground. When I finally crest the hill, the trail turns back to asphalt and I'm treated to a short reprieve.

Here's a photo from last year to show you the beauty of the course.

I make a circle around the turn around cone and head back, glancing at my watch as I do so. I've arrived in 11:34. I'm going to need to pick it up to break twenty-two. Thankfully, what goes up must come down and I get to bomb that gravel monster while I make up time. I bound down the hill just fast enough to retain control of my legs.

Mile 2: 7:27

The trail flattens out and I feel my legs sputter beneath me as I find traction on the gravel. I keep telling myself that the paved section returns soon and it will get easier soon. Once I find it, I give my body a few seconds to relax and then pick up the pace again.

I can spot a familiar runner up ahead. He's been looking over his shoulder a lot since the turn-around cone. I make it my mission to catch him. As I pull alongside Joe, he calls out, "Get it girl! You're gonna kill it at Boston!" I try to get away but can't make it happen. He's staying right with me. I'm pulling ahead slightly on the downhills while he makes up ground on the uphills. The final mile rolls just enough to challenge my momentum, but I eventually dig deep enough to slowly inch ahead.

Mile 3: 6:36

It always takes too much energy to look over my shoulder at the runners behind me, so I like to pretend they're right on my heels, even if they aren't. Also, up ahead is another runner who might be in reach. Our club masters superstar, John, might be within striking distance. I can tell I'm pretty much going at my top speed, but I try to close the gap even if by a few inches.

Up ahead, I spot the finish clock. It takes an eternity to get there, but when I can finally read the numbers, the first two digits are 2-0. I break into the best sprint I can possibly muster, my arms and legs flailing every which way as my form deteriorates. When I see John cross the line less than ten seconds ahead of me, I realize something: not only am I going to break twenty-two minutes and set a course PR, but I might be able to run my fastest 5K ever. Go legs go! Almost done!

Mile 3-finish: 0:47, 6:01/mi.

Y. Kim, SRRC photo.

21:32
6:55/mi.
3rd Female, 1st 30-34

Got it!!  (previous PR: 21:42 on a flat course) Holy crap! Did I really do that? I spend the rest of the day floating on a cloud. Alex might be onto something. I think it might be time to find a course without the big hill in the middle and knock my PR down even more this summer.

My first RED pin!!!

Matt took third place too, finishing in 18:30. Since he moved up an age group this year, he got his first red pin as well.

H. Sage, photo credit.

Y. Kim, SRRC photo credit.

Training Update: March

Can you believe that March has already come and gone? As I'm writing this, I'm already in the middle of my second taper week and Boston is just ten days away. I'm already looking forward to long summer days spent in the mountains and have several trips already planned. But before I get ahead of myself, let's talk a little bit about what I did in March.

We got some sunny days!

The most notable thing about my training here is that I didn't have to alter any training runs to make it work. For the first time since I've moved to California, I haven't had allergies interfere with my workouts. Thank you record rainfall and below average temperatures. My allergies held off almost entirely until April 4th. Yay!

Since the first week of March was included in my last recap, I'll dive right into the first full week instead.

March 5-11: 41 miles

Long Run:

•  14 miles, 1:56:02, 8:17/mi. This week was a bit of a juggling act. We didn't want to run a long run too close to an upcoming race, but we didn't want to be soaking wet either. We found one afternoon midweek that was sunny and picked up Rachel for some miles in the middle. Fourteen felt so short and quick!

Speed:

•  8 miles, 4@7:02/mi. It's not often I run tempo runs with a group, but Matt and Jorge provided the perfect windproof shield for me to get this done without a raging headwind the whole way. 

XT:

•  Bike 7 miles, 46:11. Another ride alongside Matt. I spent most of the ride trying to block the wind for him. It's not quite as easy to tuck behind a cyclist though so I was mostly the sail on his flailing ship.
• Trail Run, 8 miles, 1:30, 1,201 ft. gain. I know, I know. Trail running is still running, but a lot of this run felt like I was climbing a muddy staircase. I've been hailed on a lot in the past, but a solid ten minute shower this day is probably a new record for me. Brr.

Notes: Recovery week following two higher activity/mileage weeks. This week is missing a marathon pace run, but that's because I pushed it to Sunday. You'll see that the next week technically has three speed days in it. I didn't miss a workout in March, but a lot of them are shuffled around for one reason or another.

March 12-18: 71.25 miles

Long Run:

• 21 miles, 2:57:01, 8:26/mi. We didn't do as good a job avoiding the rain on this run because we met up with the rest of the Boston-bound runners. Apparently people who have normal Monday-Friday schedules aren't available on random Wednesday afternoons for long runs.
  
  Anyways, I was surprised we could find nine people who wanted to run in the rain. The run went wonderfully and I turned it into a fast-finish run. Last five miles: 8:01, 7:48, 7:32, 7:44, 7:36.  The chafing from three hours in soaking wet clothes was pretty horrendous. I put off my post-run shower for three hours because I was afraid of the pain.

Speed:

• 14 miles, including 10@7:43/mi. Foggy Bottom 10 Miler. It was beautiful sunny day where all of us poor coastal fog runners were reminded about the importance of sunscreen. Ouch.
• 8 miles, 4@7:01/mi. Another tempo run, this time in the sideways rain. Somehow I wasn't totally gassed at the end of this one. Is a seven minute pace finally getting easier?!
•  10 miles, 7:53/mi. Progression run from 8:37 to 7:05. I let Matt set the pace and he did a great job: 8:37, 8:18, 8:08, 7:55, 7:45, 7:36, 7:31, 7:24, 7:05, and cooldown 8:35.

XT:

• Bike 6 miles, 39:39. Went on Matt's run with him. I froze. I got wet. The end.

Notes: Despite a jump in mileage, this week felt smooth and strong. One highlight of this week was a trip to the redwood forest for some easy mileage. I'll never tire of these views.

Avenue Marathon course, first half. This is my backup if Boston's weather is horrendous.

March 19-25: 50.25 miles

Long Run:

• I moved the long run to accommodate an upcoming race. I did get 10 miles in the mud on Sunday, so maybe that counts?
  

Speed:

• 8 miles, 5@7:05/mi. This tempo. Wow. I didn't know I had it in me. By comparison, my current 5 mile race PR is 7:25/mi. and my 5K pace is about 7:00/mi. It was hard, but I'm still seriously impressed I pulled it off. It was sunny and beautiful and I rewarded myself with a huge iced coffee.
  
• 11.5 miles, 9.3 miles @ 7:26/mi. Redwood Wild River Run 15K. It was a hilly race on a muddy gravel road, but I loved how strong I felt the whole way. 

 XT:

• Bike 8 miles, 53:40. Another spin at Matt's tempo pace. There's nothing I love more than riding along at his pace and complaining about how tired my legs are. Really though, we make a great team. I love that this is one interest we're equally passionate about.

Notes: Well, moving my long run into the next week sure makes peak week look a little weak, now doesn't it? I felt really good about all the workouts and my related recovery this week.

March 26-April 1: 61.25 miles

Long Run:

• 22 miles, 3:03:03, 8:19/mi. Without really trying, my long runs this cycle have improved by 10-20 seconds per mile. Most of it was due to the fast finish, but even the early miles averaged ten seconds faster. This was the final long run with a fast finish. Drake was there to help push me a little bit the final miles: 8:03, 7:41, 7:20, 7:13. 

Speed:

• 4 miles, 3@7:02. Wow, the first two miles of this were ridiculous. Easily a 25 mph headwind. There were white caps on the RIVER. What the heck. Despite me tucking it in, my shirt kept blowing up off my stomach and I had to pull my hat down so far on my head to keep it from blowing off that it left a mark across my forehead that lasted a good hour after the run. I felt like a superhero once I turned around and ran the third mile though. Zoom! Officially my fastest mile off the track and just five seconds slower than my mile PR on the oval.
• 13 miles, 2:45, 3,323 ft. gain. It was a gorgeous day inland so I decided to skip my marathon pace run on the coast and tackle Grasshopper Peak instead. The trail gains over 3,000 ft in just 6.5 miles, I worked hard to get there as fast as I could. Almost twenty minutes faster than my previous best, I made it to the lookout tower in 1:34. 

 XT:

• Bike 5 miles, 32:51. One last bike cruise with Matt on his tempo run. After Boston, I guess I'll have to start taking real bike rides. I'm still not sure I enjoy it though.....

Notes: Not counting the long run, this was the first taper week. Again this time, we're going with a three week taper to ensure maximum rest.

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Contrary to last month's total, which was quite a bit below average, I completed March with a new all-time monthly mileage PR of 246.75. I was really happy to see that!

Now that the training part is done, I catching up on my housework, reading more, and snuggling the kitty. From here on out, I'm resting, trying to stay healthy, and planning out race details.

Redwood Wild River Run 15K Race Report

A dark cloud hung over me on Friday night. I couldn't quite figure out what it was, assuming I was either coming down with a cold or my typical March-April allergy suffer fest was kicking in. I skipped my planned run, went for a short seaside hike with Matt and then tucked into bed early, hoping for the best. Maybe a quick change of locale would be enough to calm whatever was stirring inside of me.

Chetco Point, Brookings.

Moody beach.

A ten hour sleep managed to provide just the reset I needed. I was still apprehensive as Matt and I made our warmup jog. Over breakfast, Matt and I had discussed our race plan. Since this race has almost six hundred feet of gain, almost all of it in the first half, I had planned to start conservatively, running the same pace as I had at Foggy Bottom, a 7:40-7:45/mi. I had close to sixty miles on my legs this week, it wasn't time to race all out.

Then the gun went off.

I watched the 5K runners speed off ahead. It wasn't until their turnaround cone that I realized how small our field would be for the day.

Only a handful of runners were within sight through the next couple of miles. I pushed ahead and ran with two local guys, both of whom were named Jasper. Jasper 1 is an autistic teenager and runs with a guide to keep him from getting lost. He doesn't always keep the most even pace, so I found myself leapfrogging with the boys through about mile three. Each time I passed, I smiled and said, "Good job Jaspers!"

Once ahead of them, I set my sights on two other runners up ahead. I caught brief glimpses of them as they ducked around the corner. I knew I was pushing hard, but had no idea what my pace was. The entire race is run beneath a canopy of giant redwood trees and it all but snuffs out my GPS signal. Instead of mile splits, it makes more sense to take a halfway split at the turnaround cone.  I began to reel in the two runners, completely abandoning my race plan. All of my races this year have left me finishing all alone, I did not want that to happen this time. I gave up my idea of negative splitting. Get up there!, I told myself. Positive split the hell out of this race.

I've run this race twice before and knew that I had a decent chance at a PR. All I had to do was reach the turnaround cone in under 36:41, then the tough part would be over. When I reached the cone and looked down at my watch, I realized that my time was not only my fastest outbound split ever, it was faster than any of my downhill inbound splits too.

First Half (7.5K): 35:05, 7:31/mi. 

With the toughest part of the race now behind me, I used the gentle downhill to aid my speed. With some positive self-talk, I tried to convince myself to keep with the original negative split plan. You can run even faster downhill, do it! 

I took one last sip of water at the 10K aid station and then hit the gas. I noticed one of the guys was still within sight. Reel him in slowly. There's no point in getting him with three miles left. What if nobody is ahead of him? I told myself.

With about two miles to go, I pulled ahead. As I expected, nobody up ahead was visible. My GPS was consistently telling me my pace was 14:00-20:00/mi. I gave up looking at it unless I needed a laugh. In the end, I think it helped to not see my pace because it probably would have frightened me into slowing down.

I passed the 5K turn around cone again. 1.5 miles left.
Then I hit the state park boundary. 1 mile left.
Pavement again. Was that one mile left or less?

A few moments later, the covered bridge that indicated the finish line came into view. I was closer than I thought. I turned up the intensity even more and glanced down at my watch. It registered 1:07, a full five minutes faster than my previous times. Knowing I had a PR in the bag helped keep me motivated. I crossed the finish line feeling strong yet satisfied.

Second Half (7.5K): 33:53, 7:16/mi.

1:09:02
7:24/mi.

Even though this race is two hours away from where we live, almost half of the field is comprised of club friends whom we race everyday back home. This year was unusual in the fact that only a small handful of us showed up. A landslide came down over the highway on Friday afternoon about thirty minutes after we went through. It wasn't reopened until race morning so it deterred all but the most dedicated of runners.

Since many of my local, speedier friends stayed home due to the road closure, I managed to come in second place. I was ecstatic! Depending on the race distance, I'm approximately 5th fastest lady in our club so second only happens if nobody else shows up. I proudly smiled with my award while Matt took my photo.

Then Matt got his own award. He managed to stay ahead of everybody and nab first place, finishing in 56:46. Isn't that thing enormous?

This was the first time that second place felt a little bit like first loser.

The main takeaway I had from this race was that the marathoner in me starts too conservatively. What would happen if I intentionally went out too fast in all my shorter distance runs? Would it net different results? I might have to try that in my next shorter race and see how it goes.

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Up next is my training recap from March. While I haven't been blogging a lot lately, I've been running a lot and I'm excited to share it all with you. :)