Oh hang on...this is going to be a long, rambling, freak the freak out post. Don't like obsession & craziness? Might want to skip today.
Race this weekend. My 5th 1/2 marathon.
My head is spinning. My stomach is already fluttering. GAWD I love this so much.
But here's my problem.
My first ever 1/2 was a 2:14. I haven't been able to break that race time since then....after 3 other 1/2s.
Just run for fun? Hell no. I run for time, every time. If you aren't getting better, you aren't getting better, & that's NO GOOD for me.
So for the past 4 months or so I have been focusing on getting faster. So much in fact that now I'm freaking out about distance. What the hell?! I have always been more comfortable with a long, steady pace.
I've set some awesome 5k & 10k PRs during this 1/2 training, which has been SO FUN & faster than I ever thought I would be, but now I have no idea what I'm doing for 13.1!
Last weekend, 8 mile on Saturday. This should have been a pretty easy run, I had planned on trying to go 10 minute miles the whole way - just working on keeping myself at a comfortable pace.
Mile 1 - 8:30. Geez. I was ALL over the place. My splits were ridiculous! In the end I ran a faster 8 than planned, slowing down to a 10 min mile was really a struggle. (ok that is just weird to say)
So, could I have done that for another 5? Hell if I know. Surely didn't feel like I could have, but maybe I could have? Maybe I'm past the 10 min mile goal now? 2:10 1/2 too conservative of a goal? That seems impossible.
Run with a pacer this weekend? NO WAY. The last/only time I ever did that was KC 1/2, my worst race ever. I couldn't keep up with the pacer, & spent mile 8-9 about crying watching her STUPID little balloon on a stick get farther & farther away. I hated that stupid balloon. omg I was in a bad place that day. I will never forget feeling so shitty about running 13.1. Thank the heavens for my friends who picked me up around mile 9 or I'd probably still be sitting on the curb bawling.
So, I'm just trying to figure this out today. Run a kick ass fast 10k & leave myself the last 10k to go slower? But some credit in the bank in case I need it? Or try to settle down & run a steady 10 min mile the whole way? (2:10 is my goal).
omg my running peeps, I need race day counsel, STAT!!!
Start with the pacer behind your goal time, then half way through, work on catching the next pacer up!
ReplyDeleteGive yourself a few miles at a slower pace at the beginning before you pick it up. better to have a strong finish than just a strong start.
ReplyDeleteI like Kovas advice - sounds good to me!
ReplyDeleteYou are my hero, Suzy. Fast, slow, long race, short race, whatever. :)
I'd go with kovas' advice too... you've got this!! :) you will run 2:09!! ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm in the exact same boat as you...good luck!
ReplyDelete::big big supportive hugs::
ReplyDeleteI like Kovas' idea too, might try that myself!
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
You are going beat your goal of 2:10. You are going to rock it. Your times keep improving and you have the mental toughness to do it. My hefty goal is below 2 hours...not.gonna.happen. My fastest was straight up 2 hours and I thought I was gonna die. I've put in some speed work but haven't pushed myself hard enough this time around. I'm still hoping for it, but won't get my hopes up. I won't kill myself to get there because ultimately I have the rest of my life to reach that goal...or so I hope.
ReplyDeleteI like Kovas idea - I would try that!
ReplyDeleteHow did it go?!?!?! I am excited to hear your recap!
ReplyDelete