Not close to a PR, but close to a PB

Whenever you get the opportunity to race, it is important to take as much away from it as possible. More often than not, just like in life, lessons learned typically happen when something doesn’t go your way.  Maybe  you feel worse than you should within the first few miles of a race, or the pack you are running with picks the pace up way too early. Maybe you get a blister or side ache.  Or maybe it is not just your day.  In an oxymoron type fashion, I probably ran about as poorly as I could have on Sunday at the Surf City Half Marathon, but had one of the best times as my brother Brian came out to run.  Last time we had a chance to race together was 2006, and I use that phrase loosely as about the only shared time was before the gun went off. 

I was hurting within the first two miles on Sunday and somehow held it together until 7-8 in somewhat of a respectable fashion (see splits below).  My pace was off from the beginning. Blood sugar felt low, legs felt heavy, hillier course than I’m used to, sun was out in full effect etc, etc…As the Hanson’s metaphorically say, “it wasn’t my time to withdraw from the bank.”  While I was far off from earning a “personal record” I did end up having a great experience. Just about the point where the wheels were falling off, I turned around to see Brian gaining on me quickly (right around mile 9 or so).  He passed me and I hung on for dear life.  I knew that I didn’t get this opportunity too often, and there was nothing that would stop me from finishing with him. While there were a few minor hiccups in the final miles, hiccups that I would typically black out, I certainly will not do so in this particular instance. 

While the time didn’t reflect either of our capabilities, the race certainly reflected our relationship and what is so great about this sport. He was the reason I started running about 15 years ago, and here he was again, leading me through a very tough patch in a race that would have otherwise been very disappointing.  I couldn’t help but think to myself that he has a 50k this upcoming Saturday – so that put a few miles in perspective. 

While I had a great Tuesday workout, I didn’t realize until Thursday that it was the wrong session for me to do the week of the race. Oops. F me. Part of my training plan calls for a two Main threshold sessions per month. This is either:

1. A run at half marathon race pace which increases by a mile each go around (think tempo run)

2. An alternating workout of 5-7 miles where a portion of each mile is done at 5:00 minute mile pace with the remaining portion being at just below 6 minute mile pace

Part of the reason they are done every other week is that it takes your body some time to recover from such a session.  Not paying attention to details, I learned that my Tuesday run was supposed to be 3 miles at race pace – not 7 miles about 5 seconds slower than race pace. Thankfully I had approximately 45 minutes, which may as well have felt like 45 hours, to go over all these possibilities in my head.

Big shout out to Lauren Mitchell with a BIG PR (to read more check out Lindsay’s blog on her here)!  Also, thanks to Lindsay, Jen, and Tim for coming out to support.  These race experiences are so much more fun and easier with a great support system – and I am fortunate to have the best.  Lindsay was pumped as she didn’t have to ride her road bike next to me, helmet and all….a la 2011 Long Beach Marathon

In this particular instance, I’m not sure what to chalk the day up to, I just know that the race was one of my Personal Bests….and for that I am fortunate.

Jan 28:  11 — 6.5 warm up, Drills, Miles in 5:48, 5:59, 5:52, 1 cool down

Jan 29:  11 – 3 warm up, 7 miles on the track, alternating 800’s – 2:30 and 2:57. Ran 38:13 for the total 7.

Jan 30:  9.5 – 1:08:30, 7:12 average

Jan 31: Rest

Feb 1:  5.5 total – 7:30 average

Feb 2:  4 total, 4 x 100 meter strides

Feb 3:  Surf City Half Marathon, 1:16:55….14 on the day

Total:  55 Miles

 Racing Splits breakdown

5:29

5:31

5:33

5:42

5:30

5:29

5:44

6:08

6:03

6:15

6:28

6:03

6:06