(exhales)….here we go!
Indy Mini (5/8/10)- This was supposed to be a nice, easy workout as I got ready for my first 50k. I was to run to a prescribed time and just cruise. That didn’t happen. We ran the first 5 miles into a massive headwind then after a lap around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, we ran to a tailwind through the finish. The temps were practically ideal! I got off to a little bit of a slower start than I wanted but I was determined to be patient. At the 4 mile mark, I hadn’t completely caught up w/my pace expectations but was closing slowly. We hit the track and the cross winds were probably as brutal as the headwinds. Then again, the headwinds of the first few miles weren’t that bad since I was drafting as much as I could. When we left the track at mile 8, I was actually ahead of plan and wasn’t really slowing down. I knew there was no hope/chance of a PR and it wasn’t the race plan anyway. I also knew if I could hold the pace, I’d finish about 5-6 minutes ahead of schedule. By mile 12 I knew it would be my 2nd fastest race if I could just hold it together. I eased it in from there and while I did slow just a bit, I still finished within 2 minutes of my PR. Definitely content knowing I didn’t use it all out there but used enough to have a great workout!
Vermont City Marathon (5/30/10)- This was to be the last long run before BigHorn. The plan was to run 30-45 minutes slower than I could because being on my feet was more important than running fast (ok, fast for me anyway). The temps were a little warmer than I had hoped and by 10k, I had slowed considerably. The course was definitely more rolling than I had noticed when reviewing the elevation profile but it wasn’t awful. What was interesting is I remember the 5 hour pacer passed me at the halfway point (I crossed halfway around 2:20-2:22). I passed him shortly after as they stopped to walk. So much for consistent mile splits for them!! Around 15 or 16 I realized I needed to slow down a little to continue w/the training plan. It was warm enough that it wasn’t a problem to run more slowly! I would imagine the last 5 miles were very pretty running along the water but I just wanted to be done and wasn’t paying much attention! I crossed the line just a few minutes after I’d planned. I’m not sure I’d ever do this race again as it wasn’t all that great of a view but I was glad to get it done!
Joker’s Wild Half (7/18/10)- I swore I’d never do this again after the 2009 version. It was oppressively hot then and just a blah 2-lap course. This version didn’t look to be much different! I got started and admittedly, hadn’t done much training after BigHorn. About 2 miles in I realized it was going to be “one of those days.” I wasn’t comfortable out there and knew I’d just have to grind through it. I hit the first lap well behind where I wanted to be and when I hit mile 9, it had gotten really dark. The wind picked up and as we headed on the downhill, the sky opened up and we were running through a thunderstorm. On two separate occasions a truck asked me if I wanted to stop due to the weather. I laughed both times. I finished about 20 minutes slower than anticipated and much soggier but thankful for my finish! My friend, Kelly finished shortly after I did and we celebrated afterwards with breakfast at First Watch. They no longer offer this race and I’m glad! I’d hate to have to do it again…. :D.
Hood-to-Coast Relay- Oregon (8/28/10)- Words can’t describe this one! 36 legs, 12 people and 198 miles from Mt. Hood to the coast of Oregon. Epic event! I was fortunate enough to lead off! The first leg was done early afternoon and was a 6 mile run down Mt. Hood. I’d never run that far downhill all at once and spent the first few miles making sure I didn’t kill myself. By mile 4 I realized I probably should try to slow down if I could. I couldn’t. I didn’t realize how trashed I was after the first run until I started the 2nd. It was around 11pm when it was my turn to go again. I ran through the streets of Portland along the river. What a cool experience. I ran the first of five miles w/someone and then realized I was garbage from overdoing it some 9 hours earlier. It was interesting both passing and being passed by others . I passed a few bars between 3-4 and then I was in the middle of some industrial place. The last portion of the run was nondescript and when I got to the exchange zone I had missed my expected arrival by a minute or so. I felt bad but realized I was completely spent. The next 5-6 hours were trying to get some sleep but really wasn’t able to do so. Everyone was running so strong! When we got to the leg 24/25 exchange, I was told I had about 3 minutes to get ready. I had to change at the back of the van and gave one of my teammates a shot of me in my underwear. I was laughing because there was nothing I could do! I got to the exchange zone and was then told we needed to slow down. They told me to run about 30 seconds/mile slower than I wanted to so I thought I’d go out harder than I should and then just enjoy the remote setting of this leg. I got through the first mile a full minute faster than I was supposed to. I had 3 miles left and then eased off the gas and just tried to enjoy it. I ended up giving back some of the cushion but didn’t feel too bad considering I’d run 16 miles in 24 hours w/almost no sleep! The rest of the team finished up over the next 7 or so hours and we got back to the condo in Seaside in time for a nap then a huge party! What a fantastic experience we had overall! I did feel sorry for Helen who decided it was a good idea to try to match me beer (me) to wine (her). She was REALLY rough the next morning!! I stopped around 9pm and when I got up the next morning I felt great! I’d highly recommend this race to anyone who can get a team of 12 together. It was THAT fun!!
Charleston Distance Run (9/3/10)- I decided a few days before the race to run it. I’d run it before but they changed the course just a bit from the first few times I’d been there. The temps were just a bit on the warm side and I was admittedly undertrained! I started slowly and wanted to try to run up “Capital Punishment Hill” as best as I could. That hill seems to get steeper and longer each time I do it. I got to the top but didn’t have much energy left for the downhill. Truthfully, most of the rest of the race is a blur. I missed my target finish by a few minutes but was glad it was done! I did hear they might not o the race for much longer and that would be a shame! It’s a fun one!
Real Berlin Marathon (9/26/10) – This was done at the end of a 10 day trip through Paris and Berlin. The weather for the entire trip was nearly perfect and all of the sightseeing leading up to the race was phenomenal! Unfortunately the weather decided to not cooperate much on race day and it was drizzling (ok, raining) race morning w/temps in the upper 40’s. I was lucky enough to be at the end of the 3:45 corral and it was nice being able to get into a rhythm early. The thing I really liked about this race was it was a 26.2 mile foot tour through all of the history of Berlin. I hit the 5 mile split and realized I had used up more energy than I should have trying to hit the split I wanted. I decided to push for a bit more then just enjoy the rest of the trek through the city! It was really neat seeing all of the different international fans along the course.
Ok…I know that only gets us to October 2010 but at least it’s a start!
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