Sunday, May 2, 2010

Not the best plan…

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But I just HAD to do it. 

I ran the Tacoma City Half marathon and it was, well…painful.

I tried to DNF the whole time.  My brain was having a battle with my body.  My body wanted to quit. It was screaming at me.  My calves were on FIRE.  My quads and hams were tight.  My feet were even like, "Seriously?  What are you doing to us?”  But my brain?  It was like, “Come on, you can do 13.1.  You just did 26.2, 13.1 is like nothing.”  Then my body was like, “EXACTLY,  you just did 26.2 dummy.  THAT is why you should DNF.” Then my brain was like, “It’s not that bad or your pace wouldn’t be what it is.” Then my body was like, “Well, brain, YOU are in charge of that.” and then my brain was like “Fine.  We’ll slow down (see mile 10-12) but you will not quit.”  And my body was like, “Ah.  Thank you.” And thus, today I finished a half marathon.

I think I could have used a bit more recovery, to include some sort of jogging since last Sunday.  Lesson learned: recovery jogs must be good for something.  Oh well, I finished AND I got the other half to my medal!

May 2 2010 half a madal 006

How do you like that?  Totally worth it.

AN the RB and I ran this race last year together, it was my reigning PR until Mercer Island came along.  Today we ran together for about 6.5 miles.  I could tell she was doing amazing and having a great running day (and she finished with 1:54!!  Should have stuck with her for another PR!).  I on the other hand, had  WW III going on inside my head.  AN the RB left me reluctantly and I watched her newly cut pony tail swish away in front of me.  I had my eye on her for about a mile then she slipped away.

tacoma city half marathon 2

Me and AN the RB 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

May 2 2010 Tacoma half marathon 007 edited

Me and AN the RB 2010

 

 

 

 

I was curious to see how I felt running a half after running a full.  I was quickly reminded that the half is no small feat.  It is a respectable distance.  I drank and ate my GU chomps, it didn’t seem to help.  My muscles were just straight up toast.  At mile 8 I saw my Little Buddy and Jessica (my official Race Crew).  They cheered me on and as always I was pumped to see them! 

Since it was an out an back for a few miles I got to High 5 AN the RB as she headed the other way and I caught my Official Race Crew again around mile 10 or so.  My Little Buddy is getting the hang of this cheering business! “Go mommy! Go!” was his chant this time.

Once I gave in and finally slowed down I felt ok but wouldn’t you know it, mile 11-12 is pretty much straight up. Check out this elevation:

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Thank you for the flat miles 6.5 to 11. 

The finish is downhill, which is awesome.  When I neared the finish line I could see the HUGE finish clock and saw it said 2:00.13 and I thought, “Oh snap!  I could maybe get a sub 2 depending on how long it took me to cross the start.  But I am NOT about to get over 2!” so i started booking it and I crossed the line at 2:00.33 G. Money time (official results aren’t in yet).  We will see if I got a 1:59.59 or something like that.

And here are few more pics for your viewing enjoyment:

May 2 2010 Tacoma half marathon 015 May 2 2010 Tacoma half marathon 017

May 2 2010 Tacoma half marathon 019 May 2 2010 Tacoma half marathon 022

This was a rough and tough run but I think it was also a confidence booster.  I am happy with my time given how miserable , sluggish and tired I felt.  I could feel my inner competitive side coming through today.  I have been noticing her lately and she is becoming more and more persistent.  This could be trouble!

So I think it is time for a couple of weeks of easy jogging and cross training.  Then I will  hit the speed work hard with my Running Consultant!  More on that to come!

Today I am grateful for:

My Official Race Crew, Jessica.  Without her I am pretty sure I would not be able to run hardly any of these races.  So thank you…two breakfasts  two days in a row hardly repays you for your help!

27 comments:

  1. You are crazy, but you did it! Nice job! Love that you have an official race crew. And congrats to AN the RB, too!

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  2. You are tough! WOW! That is incredible! My new hero

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  3. That is just awesome, to run a half seven days after running a full. You just keep raising the bar, don't ya?

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  4. very inspiring!!! you rock....and I am learning so much from you.

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  5. LOVE LOVE that you completed your medal :) Way to tough it out inside your head. HUGS and congrats...

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  6. That is SOOO awesome! You had an amazing time. Great job! You inspire me. :)

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  7. Great job! wow, the world looks a little different on the other side of 26.2 huh? All of a sudden 13.1 looks like a nice weekend jog. LOL you're crazy-inspiring.

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  8. you did great even when you wanted to give up!! That is why you are officially past empty and kicking booty!

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  9. Impressive. I like the medal. What is the story behind getting the second half?

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  10. That's amazing! Your time reflects those hills, too. The coolest part is that your last mile was around the same pace as your first few. Mind over matter. Way to go!!!!

    Laura

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  11. Congrats on finishing your half marathon!! Your medal is complete now! :)

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  12. Wow great job! That is really a tremendous feat!

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  13. Well, I'm impressed! I had a horrible race yesterday, and I had no marathon excuse to fall back on, so hats off to you!

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  14. All I got is WOW!!! Very nicely done and way to go having mind over matter:)
    That is some pretty cool bling to show for it all as well!!

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  15. Mind - body is a powerful connection. YAY for you for setting your mind straight!! ;)

    great post.

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  16. Good for you. Running long races back to back is a tough proporistion, especially strategy wise.

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  17. LOVE that you got to finish off your medal. Very nice.
    Now REST!

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  18. Katie @ www.princessofpavement.comMay 3, 2010 at 4:41 PM

    Great job on the run, which is insane and awesome all in the same vein! Very cool!

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  19. Hey, thanks for your note in my blog! You are very helpful! ;)

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  20. Impressive! Way to go! Love the half medals...I've never seen that before.

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  21. Great job! That really is awesome! The half medals are really cool too!

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  22. Totally worth it. That is a cool medal.

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  23. WOW! Can't believe you did the 1/2 right after the marathon (although the medal is awesome)! Way to go! And LOL at the inner battle ;)

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  24. Well done. It's amazing the battle that can take place in the mind when trying to conquer great challenges like that. You now have yet another great point of references to look back when things get tough!

    Yuri
    Interval Training Man

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  25. Mind over body!! Awesome job!

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You're pretty much awesome!!

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