Mind Over Matter. Sometimes...

The Kentucky Derby Mini (Half marathon) is what all of this training has been leading up to. So despite not having run for about a week (and a hot, slow 6-miler at that), I was still feeling decent about yesterday's 13.1 considering the spectacular race season I've had thus far, including substantial PR's in all of my races this year. My PR for this distance (2:22:25) was met a year and a half ago during the Big Hit Half Marathon, which is a very similar course to the KDF mini. With starting temps at 54 degrees and slightly breezy, I felt confident going in that I could pull off a new PR and set my sights on a goal finishing time of 2:15 or better. I decided to go with the same strategy for this race as I had done during the 10-miler, which was to run about a 10-minute pace and walk for one minute at each mile marker. The first 3-5 miles felt pretty good (10:08, 10:19, 10:13, 10:37, 10:07) and it was about this time that I started to wonder what mile markers we finally get into Churchill Downs. Since it had been a few years since I last ran this particular race, I couldn't quite remember if we ran through the track between 6-7, 7-8 or 8-9. I had also began doing my "math problems" it my head at this point. I've been doing this since I started racing in order to pass time, and I guess it's not anything hugely strategic, but more something that I do to help get me through. For instance, after 5 miles I'll tell myself "Okay, just a little less than half-way over." At 6.5 miles I tell myself "Okay, just have to do ONE MORE of what you just did." Anything after that and it's "Okay, less than half to go." I noticed at the 6 mile marker that I was running a little slower than I had for my 10k a month or so ago, but considering I still had 7 more miles to go I was okay with the slower time (10:22). At mile 7 (10:33) I started feeling a bit bloated with some slight GI issues. Turning the corner onto Central Avenue, the distance thus far told me that the horse track took place between miles 8 (10:16) and 9 (11:17). I'm actually surprised, looking back, that I completed mile 8 in as fast a time as I did considering the run through the tunnel to take us into the infield to run a loop consists of a pretty steep descent and ascent both in and out. During the descents my left knee started feeling it and I had to consciously slow way down. I also began feeling more of the GI issues at this point and considered a potty break. But because I was determined to finish with a new PR, and could feel myself getting tired, I thought I better not chance it. Mile 9, as you can see, WAS my slowest so far and I was definitely dragging at this point. My body was wearing out and I had to force myself to drink some water and took another GU despite my tummy feeling super blah. The temperature was also starting to heat up a bit. As I passed the 10-mile marker (11:18) I checked the Garmin to see that I was actually finishing up that first 10 one minute faster than I had completed the Papa John's 10-miler a month before. Again I began doing the math and figured that, even if I finished the last three miles at a 12:30 pace, I would still get a PR. My left knee tweaking and my body feeling the drain, I went along for the ride and incessantly checked the Garmin to make sure I wasn't falling below my goal pace. Mile 11 (11:45) was a bit of a blur, although I do recall telling myself "Just two more miles to go." At mile 12 (11:16) I was ready to just get this thing over with, and the crowd support gave me a little extra umph. Although I must admit, I was trying to determine how many more city block I had to go before the last turn towards the finish line, and when I realized that I forgot to include Floyd Street just prior to Preston, I said to myself "Fuck the PR." Of course, immediately after that I thought "Um....no. If you get to the finish line and miss that PR by just 30 seconds to a minute you are going to be so pissed at yourself." The way my butt was dragging, coupled with the fact that I had decided not to look down at my watch for the last mile so as not to evoke any anxiety in myself, made this possibility very real - and one that I didn't want to experience. Turning onto Preston and seeing the finish line up ahead, I finally did look down at the Garmin and saw that I had 3 minutes to beat my PR. Piece of cake. I continued down through the finishers chute, and even encouraged the crowd to cheer as I ran past them (They didn't. Bastards.) I finished that 13th mile in 10:35 and that last .1 (or .2 according to the Garmin) at a 9:12 pace, with an official finishing time of 2:20:38 - a 10:39 pace. Not bad, I think. Considering how well I did and how good I felt during all of the races this season, I am a bit surprised that I struggled a bit during the last 5k of this race. I think my training strategy from this point needs to be to do some 12 mile training runs just to get my body used to that last 3.1 miles, as well as to get my head in a better to place to know that I can do it. Although I do believe, even looking back, that those slow miles (9-12) were all that I could muster at that point - considering I had to conserve some energy for the end - finishing the 13th mile in the same pace that I finished the 4th mile tells me that I definitely did (and do) have it in me to push a little harder. My next half is the Bourbon Derby in June in Paris, KY. This should be interesting as I haven't done a summer-time half in a long time (if ever), and I worry a bit about the heat. Not concerned about any PR's with that one. I have a feeling that there will be some hills in there, and besides, I'm seriously considering doing 7 races in 7 weeks in the fall, including a 10k, the Bourbon Chase (15+ miles over a 20 hour period) and 5 half-marathons. This means my body will either be in prime shape for another PR, or will be giving out on me altogether. It will be interesting to find out that's for sure!

Tough Week

The last remaining updates I've had to do to the house in preparation for selling, coupled with 2 days of straight rain, as well as a topped-off week of having to take my dog in for emergency surgery to remove his right eye after another dog attacked him has REALLY hampered my training and I haven't ran since last Sunday. My body and mind are feeling it as I'm noticing my shoulders and neck tensing up - a sure sign that I am stressed out and I'm really thanking myself for having the forethought to schedule a massage a month ago for this coming Tuesday. I'm gonna need it. With all of this said however, I have planned a 6-miler tomorrow morning to maintain what I've gained thus far, as well as to release some of this tension I'm feeling. Gonna be a nice 65 degrees, so it should be a good run.