Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Seattle Half: I have a PLAN!

I have been thinking about my Seattle Half Plan. Last year was a serious mess. I had no plan and no idea what I was in for. This was my first BIG race. While it was my 4th half marathon the others I had run were smaller, maybe 1000 people, at the biggest. Seattle was different. It was big. We are talking at least 15,000 people. So I made some serious Rookie Mistakes. I was corralled in near the back of the pack at the start line. I thought the pack would clear out, at least a little bit after they started the walkers. I thought at least half of the wad of people in front of me were walkers (WHY they start the walkers only 5 minutes before the runners is BEYOND me). When I heard the countdown for the walkers to begin I got ready to move forward. Unfortunately the wad did not budge. I waited, and waited. And waited…the wad did not move. At least 5 minutes passed and I decided I had to climb over a barricade and elbow my way into the road where the race was to start. I heard the countdown to begin our run and still it was like trying to swim in a can of sardines.

When there was finally room to begin running I RAN. I ran fast. WAY faster that I was supposed to run, faster than I had trained to run, faster than I was able to run. My pace for that race should have been around 9:30/mile. My first two miles were run at about an 8:15 pace. Big FAT OOPS. All I could think was, “I need to clear the pack!” “I have to break out of this wad of people!” It never happened. There were just too many people. I kept running, fast, so that I could break out of the pack and I thought certainly it would thin out, sooner or later. It didn’t. Not to mention I weaved my way through the crowd and most likely ran 2 miles in the first mile simply due to weaving. By mile four I was pretty tired and I hadn’t really even hit the hills yet.
But this year…THIS YEAR I have a PLAN and a new wit about me. I am running smarter this year. Here is my plan:

Beginning of the race: Get towards the front early. I won’t hang back and make the mistake of waiting for the walkers to clear out, they won’t. I will be up toward the front.

First mile: I will try to settle into my pace (if possible) and not go out too hard too fast. I know I cannot clear the pack. I will not weave like I did last year. A small amount of weaving is ok, but I will not let it get out of control.

Mile 2: Hold my pace and focus on breathing.

Water stations: It seems to work best when I actually walk through the water station. This way I actually get to hydrate and not inhale the water. In the long run this helps. (I am talking walking no more than 5 or 6 steps, just enough to drink then it is back to running).

Mile 3-13.1: Enjoy the run! There are a lot of mind-blowing hills that could easily psych me out,
but I am going to focus on my pace, my legs, my breathing, and my training. The hills will not defeat me this year.

This is my plan as of now. I may add to it as this week progresses and early next week but I feel like I have hit on the major areas that really doomed me last year.

12 Days Until Seattle Half!
Today I am grateful for:
Early morning snuggles with my Little Buddy.
My cozy Ugg boots.
Coffee!

Run Happy Peeps!




15 comments:

  1. You've got this girl!!! Good job having a plan! Plans are important! Just remember to stick with them! :)

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  2. Love the PLAN.. Now this weekend lets get a STRONG training run and confidence booster for you..

    Do you think 2 Marathons in consecutive months is too much?? Hmmmm.. I am not Maniac but I really want to support Shelby and help her through the 26.2.

    YIPPEE you are going to do Tacoma :) And the Fleet Feet Program.. I am sooooo EXCITED!! I will need you to teach me all about T-Town in prep for the big Marathon redemption..

    HUGS!

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  3. Sounds like a good plan! I love my cozy Uggs too....guess it's time to break those out!

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  4. Great plan! I am definitely taking your advice for this race, since you're a veteran...and I'm a newbie. :) Thanks for sharing the plan.

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  5. Sounds like a good plan to me even though I don't have any experience with a half.

    I did walk through the water stations last run I did and that was so much better than drinking some while running.

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  6. Last year's race sounds like a disaster! I had a similar experience with getting stuck behind people and knocking into walkers on my way out. That was awful, so I definitely feel you on that one.

    Your plan sounds like a good one. And you could even stand to walk a little longer at the water stations early in the race. That would do you wonders towards the end, you'd be surprised. Regardless, your plan sounds strong.

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  7. Sounds like a plan! I decided early on that every race taught me something and it seems that you learnt your lessons from last time. Good luck.

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  8. Oooh thank you for sharing that information. I am doing my first ever half marathon in February. I hadn't even thought about stuff like this before. I don't know if I would feel "worthy" of starting at the front of the pack, however, I don't want to get stuck back with a "wad" of nonmoving people either. LOL

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  9. Okay, Amanda. You probably just saved me from being stuck in the back! Dude! I'm feeling a tad nervous now as I did not realize how BIG this race is! When are you going to the EXPO?

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  10. Sounds like a really good plan! Weaving can really drain the juice! Good luck!!

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  11. Let's hear it for PLANS. Isn't experience great?? You are going to ROCK your race, and I'm soooo excited for you!

    Hugs from Orlando....
    R.

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  12. OK if you do Tacoma I would be sooo tempted to toss out time (BQ) goals and run with you.. Or maybe we could have a time goal together?? 26.2 is sooo lonely, would be so much more fun with a friend.. Hmmm!!! I thought you wanted to do OKC?

    If you sign up for Fleet Feet tell them I told you about it because we will both save 10% or $10.. Hello!

    I am excited for Saturday.. May have to be 8 because I have a birthday party to go to...yes another one. Wowee!!

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  13. I LOVE plans! Sounds like you learned some good lessons and you'll be putting them to good use!

    PS - At least call yourself a hot mess (in reference to last year). All the kids are saying it. :)

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  14. Yay! Looks like a good plan!
    Trying to clear the pack by running too fast is a mistake I always make. If you can avoid it you'll have a great race!

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  15. Hi Amanda, I found your blog and enjoy reading your journey and look forward to reading more. Good luck in Seattle!!!!

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You're pretty much awesome!!

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