Marathon Training: Week Fourteen (Eugene Half Marathon)

Week fourteen was a week I was anticipating. I couldn't wait to run Eugene Half Marathon for a number of reasons. 

I ran my best full marathon here back in

2018, the last time the finish was on Hayward field. This year it was in the new stadium. Eugene is Track town USA and holds so much running history. Just Google it, there's so much to see. 

This half was built into my training for two reasons. One, I just wanted to run Eugene as I love it so. Two, I wanted a race 4-5 weeks out from Newport to see how training was going as a test and to let my body and emotions go through the race process for a really good practice. 

I'm not going to make anything up here. Racing is hard. Although my mental game is way up and I feel stronger than ever, it's always a thought, "what if I can't do it?" At Shamrock ☘️ 15k (9.3 miles with hills) I ran a 7:22 pace. It's a bit difficult to compare that course with Eugene. Eugene does have some hills but nothing like Shamrock and I will be running about four more miles for the test of endurance. 

In July 2018 I ran my fastest half to date. I ran a 7:31 pace, finishing at 1:38:34. It was also a mostly downhill course, making for a really fast time. I was told by at least three people to not count that time into trying to PR again. Does a downhill even count? I realize what I was being told and set that time to the side but I haven't forgotten. I still remember what it felt like at points in that race and how it got really hard the last couple miles. Some races you never forget.

May 1st 2022. Going into Eugene I am a stronger, more advanced runner. I still make mistakes but there's no doubt in my mind, that I am ready to give a PR (personal record) a try again. I decided not to disregard my 1:38:34 time. If I take a look at training, I should be able to run a 7:33 pace, not quite enough to PR that 7:31 pace but oh so close. I decided 7:30 isn't too much to ask of my body for the condition I am currently in.

I started in corral B, the 2nd wave of runners. We started at 7:01am. I was quickly frustrated as I was boxed in. This is typical for large races. I made the best of it and just started weaving around other runners. It did give me something to focus on. This went on for a long time. For miles really. There was always people around me. I would catch up to the larger "pace groups" and there was a huge mass of folks to go around. One thing I've learned is just just own it and go around. Don't spend your energy getting irritated, It's all part of the race.

The course took me back to 2018, the emotions, each step and even the memories of the friends I made in the course last time. This time was different. I didn't want to talk to anyone. I would pretend a person I was my friend for a while but no talking this time. I just let my mental be focus and I was locked in! 

We started going up a small hill but I had

warmed up pre race, I was ready. My first mile was a slower one but it's the pace I thought I would run for the day for a slight PR, right about 7:30. I still was weaving people but started to settle into a pace and was feeling really good. The weather was ideal and the company was great. 

Mile two was definitely on the fast side but I realized I was speeding up each time we went by a crowd. The crowds cheers do push me through in a very positive way. Mile three - five were on point. I was running strong and was zoned into my race. I remember the feeling of "I could run like this forever, I feel so good." I didn't want to put out too much yet, as it was way too early and it can come back to haunt you later in the race. 

Miles six and seven. Definitely feeling good and there were crowds. I knew I possiblity could regret this but I am so used to running 8-10 miles at a time now in training, the half distance (13.1 miles) isn't imidating. At this point I was halfway and just had to run back to the stadium. Mental toughness, this is where it pays off. 

Mile eight I got back down to the pace I felt comfortable at, but then we started back up the hills again, only this time I wasn't fresh anymore. Miles nine through eleven were harder than I cared for but I still was feeling pretty in control of my race overall. 

Mile twelve I got back into my pace and was hoping to pass people. I played my passing games as we ran on Pre's Trail and although I was starting to feel the aches and pains of racing, I never once thought I couldn't do this. 

At one and a half miles out, I had my weakest moment. I had just passed two

female runners and got scared they would pass me back because I was feeling it. I soon hear a Man yell out from behind, "Let's go team. Only six laps on the track left. We got this " as the Man, or should I say Coach went by I thanked him for his words and he let out a, "relax those arms" or something of the sorts and I did exactly what he said. I realized I had started to tense up a bit. This got my head back where it needed to be as mile thirteen was my slowest. It was closer to marathon pace and this race was only half of that. 

As I got closer to Hayward field I started to feel emotional. We were running down a blocked road now that would lead us right onto the track. Even writing this today makes me emotional. I remember letting out a dry heave just before turning onto the track. I feared I would have to slow down to keep from barfing. I then thought, this is a new track, if I barf in the new track I will be mortified. I tucked that though away, turned the corner and I was in Hayward field! I ran the last .1 miles at. 6:55 pace and let the moment sink in! 

I crossed the finish line and doubled over as I do when I've run my best. Jerry was right there and I said "hi" and walked over to the side thinking I may lose it. Suddenly I was handed a barf bag like the ones we had at work and I realized I was being watched. I think the volunteers were thinking I may need medical. 

I never did throw up, I had my moment. I told the folks looking out I was totally fine and walked over with Jerry as we waited for more friends to come in. I felt like 1000 bucks.

The sun was now starting to break just a little, but boy was it cold. Perfect running temps are only perfect running temps. It was still in the 40's. 

I sit here, the next day full of emotions. I ran the half well, but not perfect by any means. I definitely ran the first half too fast and had to hold on. I did feel strong the whole time, even at my weakest point in the race. I was able to run this morning (Monday) with no signs of overdoing it for the race yesterday. My fear is injury. I continue to really listen to my body and continue to put the work in each week. 

Newport Marathon is four and a half weeks out. I'm feeling pretty alive lately! Tired, yet so alive! 

Oh, by the way. I PR'ed my half time and I counted the downhill race from four years ago! 1:36:59 (7:25 pace).