After a crazy (at times bizarre!) week leading up to my races, I managed to have a great weekend anyways!
Friday I had the 5k. I said I wasn't going to push hard or go for a PR since I had the marathon the next day. But I'm apparently too competitive with myself for my own good sometimes. I was feeling really good and realized 1/2 way through I was in position to PR if I wanted to. Ummmm I wanted to. lol I finished in 24:14 and was 3rd in my division, 9th female overall. Super surprised about those placings, but really happy!
Saturday was the marathon. I felt ready, but really had no idea what to expect. I'd put in the training, but coming off a nasty cold complete with sore throat/lots of congestion/snot I had no idea how I'd feel during the race.
Beautiful weather at the start. Low 60s, but humid! I felt great and the first 8 miles flew by! It helped that I knew the course from last year, and I think that really boosted my confidence this time around. I was feeling ambitious and stuck with the 4:15 pacer even though I knew there was no way I'd be able to finish that soon. I managed to surprise myself in that I kept up with them until the 20 mile mark!
Then I hit the mental wall. Miles 20-21 SUCKED! It was pretty warm by that point, and my stomach felt a tad off so I did a walk/run (mostly walk) combo for those 2 miles. I was pretty sure at that point I'd pushed too hard by staying with the 4:15 group and screwed my chances of PRing.
But I grabbed a banana at the mile 23 aid station, which helped my stomach. Then I mentally calculated what pace I need to still possibly PR. I realized if I dug deep I could still do it. So I forced myself to pick up the pace, and managed to finish in 4:24, which is a 5 minute PR for me!
I knew I was gambling with staying with the 4:15 pace group so long. But I felt good and decided to chance it. I truly believe if I had dropped off from them earlier on, I would not have PRed. So my gamble worked out this time Also, I know I'm (hopefully) done racing long distances for the next 9 months since my IVF cycle starts this week, so I think that played into my "ahhh screw running conservatively" mindset in the end. I wanted to go out with a bang apparently.
buffaloeggs.blogspot.com 2016 Races: Hop Hop Half Marathon 2:05:09 Pac Crest Half Ironman 7:13:40 9/10 Aluminum Man Oly Tri 11/27 Space Coast Half Marathon
You're amazing! There is no way I would PR a marathon w/a 5k race (let alone 5k PR) the night before! Congrats on two awesome PRs, and everything is crossed for a successful IVF cycle.
Mega, mega congrats! So proud watching (well, following online) your accomplishments this weekend. Hope you're healed from the sting & recovering well otherwise too. Good luck with IVF!
2PRs in one weekend!! I'm so happy for you! I am glad that you ended your running for the next 9 months this way!! (FX so much that this is finally it for you!!)