Throughout the summer I have struggled with my runs. I started working with a trainer in mid July in an effort to have a stronger run and bike as the triathlon season progressed. It seems the training worked. I decided to sign up for the half marathon about six weeks before the race for two reason. I wanted something to close out my season and I wanted to see how i would do taking on a race of that length. My goal is to race another half Ironman. I have wanted to do another one since I finished my first one in 2011. Health issues had me sidelined in 2012 and 2013. This year was a building year… building my confidence and figuring out what I am still able to do after my MS diagnosis in February.
I wasn’t sure how I would do going into this race. I had a great 8 ½ mile training run three weeks out. I had a super slow 10 ½ mile training run two weeks out and meh short runs before and after this one. Then I missed my last long run (soccer tournament out of town) and actually had seven days with no runs, followed by a decent 5 miler 5 days out and another 3 miler two days out. Because my runs did not feel consistent the last couple of weeks I had no idea what to expect race day.
I was struggling with what to wear to race so I had on enough clothes at the start not to stand around shivering, but not need to take off clothes during the race. It was 36 degrees when I left Ames but around 45 by the time I got to the course. I chose compression shorts, a short sleeve dri-fit and a long sleeved running shirt with thumb holes to keep my hands warmer. I also had a spibelt (holds phone, gels and key), bia gps watch, and a number belt plus my Altras and a pair of smart wool ankle socks. I end up getting a little warm around mile 10 but I didn’t want to wrestle off my top layer with the belts and my watch on over it.
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| Somewhere in Water Works Park* |
I woke up feeling good and got myself to the course around 7:15 hit the kybo and stood around watching people. I ran into a neighbor and some other friends before the race. Then i queued up for the race start. My goal was 10 minute miles for the race so i lined up between the 10 minute mile and 10:30 pace people. I chatted with a lady named Mollie who lives near my hometown and it turns out we knew some of the same people. We ran together the first couple of miles.
By mile three we were both in need of a quick bio break (my MS doesn't let me go more than five miles without one) and with that taken care of she could see that I was ready to let things go and put on a bit more speed. I hung out there a little too long and the fourth mile end up being my slowest. Rolling into Water Works Park just after mile 5 I pulled out a honey stinger gel. My plan was to take on gel at mile 5 and alternate between water and Gatorade as needed. I took on fluids at 80% of the possible locations. Every time I started to feel like I was slowing down I used one of the principles from the book Chi Running by Danny Dreyer and took on a forward lean. The great thing about this is then gravity is pushing me forward instead of my leg muscles so I can go faster for longer.
It ended up being a beautiful day to race. I enjoyed all the fall colors throughout the course and was happy to see a few triracer teammates cheering along the course. All in all I really enjoyed the race and probably had a smile on my face for most of it. My final stats are below and I had a lady come up to me after the finish and told me she had been chasing me down the last five miles and was impressed with my burst of speed the last couple of miles (yeah me too). I am now on a mission for a 70.3 with a run that won’t be too hot or humid in 2015 so chime in with options for me. I had a great time until I realized I lost my car key. My cousin came to my rescue and I was able to get back to Ames in time for a shower and get to Abby’s soccer game just in time.
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| Close to the end and still smiling* |
mile 1 - 10:11
mile 2 - 9:43
mile 3 - 10:04
mile 4 - 10:29
mile 5 - 10:07
mile 6 - 9:45 (gel must have kicked in) - official time at 6.5 miles 1:10.04 (says expect finish notification at 10:29… finish notification hit at 10:20)
mile 7 - 9:05
mile 8 - 9:07
mile 9 - 9:18
mile 10 - 9:53
mile 11 - 9:55
mile 12 - 9:45
mile 13 - 9:43
mile 13.1 - 8:38 pace
As always thanks for reading and thank you to all the great people who have supported me this season. I still have two races left in 2015 but they are just for fun. STAM chocolate run Nov 15th with Abby, and the Living History cross country race Nov 20 with some of my triathlon teammates. I had a great time this year and am already plotting for 2015.
*Photos by Greg Grandgeorge
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