11/11/07: 25K and another big PR!

I must have ate some Wheaties today not knowing it because I pulled out another PR!

2:20:19. (actually, that's my gun time).

CHIP TIME: 2:19:47.

On.possibly.the.hottest.and.most.humid.November.day.i.ever.remember.

This can only be a true testament to the will of my soul, my hard training, and not being injured this time around.

More later...but bike shopping comes now:)

--

(and yes, I bought a bike! see the post above...)

Anyhow, I did it. I set a goal for myself (9:00/min for 15.5 miles=2:20 25K) and stuck it out. And oh yes, it was tough. very tough.

but you know what? I can do this...I can push myself. I have done the marathon before. what is there to be scared of? And why am I going to hold back? I can do this...I train hard and deserve every PR I get!

So I went and got my PR!

I knew the second I got up at 4am that the weather was going to be less then desireable. it fact, i didn't do my normal pre-race 1/2 mile jog from the parking lot to the chip pickup. I could feel the sweat already dripping down my back just walking briskly. ouch. i did get to the race fairly early though, which allowed me to get 'slightly' acclaimated to the 70 degree weather and eat half a Carbboom. Yummy Vanilla. I could eat it every day since it tastes so much like cake frosting! :)

So I started the race with Strider Cari and we ran about 5 miles together (one loop). Our pace was pretty much dead on 9:00/miles, but for some reason I could tell we were still running faster then that. I could also tell she was running stronger then me at this point, but I knew I needed to conserve as much energy as i could for the next loop...

that is pretty much the extent of 'the good race' for me. the last 10 miles were brutal and survival of the fittest.

what's funny about viewing the race that way is that the 2nd loop was actually my fastest one...where I averaged 8:45/mile. I guess my desire to be done with the race got the best of me...and got to me earlier then it should have.

the last loop was where I went on autopilot. don't ask how. nothing hurt, i suddenly wasn't sweating at all and all I heard were my feet hitting the ground...i don't know quite how to explain what was happening to me, but i felt honestly like i could run forever. even in the pain i was in (and i was feeling it in my right hamstring and left ankle for some reason!!!) I kept going. I hung on to my 2:20 pace band and just told myself "Okay, I am on target, just keep steady. Relax. Trust your training."

I had some fast miles (mile 11) and slow miles (mile 10) but overall I ran pretty consistant. Once I got to mile 12 I knew that all i had to do was LIVE that pace band. That meant no walking (I had already walked twice for a couple seconds) and only slow down for water and Gatorade at every aid station. Wow, and I'll never forget how thirsty I was. I couldn't drink enough fluids today.

Thank you's to Strider Frank and the older (and faster!) gentleman in the yellow singlet that raced me the whole race for helping me finish strong, all the Striders and friends who were cheering at the loop turnaround in downtown, and "HI" to Lisa Foronda, Jon Walk, Strider Jen and everyone else who was awesome in this race. Brett, Sam and Edwin were looking good as always-love you guys and always great to see you!

I'm not quite ready yet, but give me a month and bring on that 30K!!!!!!!!!!!

THE STATS:

15.5 miles @ave 9:01/mile
2:19:47 official chip time
19th out of 119 in 25-29 age group!

9:01/first loop ave
8:45/second loop ave
9:01/third loop ave

9:02, 8:44, 8:55, 8:23, 9:36
8:33, 8:59, 9:03, 9:10, 9:32
8:39, 9:16, 9:12, 8:49, 9:23, 4:20 (.5 mile)