Saturday January 21st I kicked off marathon training with the Uberthons Winter Half. I didn't know what to expect. I am coming off an injury. I have been able to run, but my milage has been down that last several months. My milage has mostly been "easy pace" milage with no hard work. It's been nice to just enjoy running but it's been frustrating to not be able to do more as my foot has healed up.
My goal for the Winter Half was to to simply run my marathon pace (8:20) for the first nine or ten miles, then pick up the pace for the last 5k if feeling good. I had friends running too, and that makes races extra fun!
I didn't feel I was in very good shape to be racing. I did feel like running the half was the perfect way for me to start off marathon training.
As we lined up, someone from Wisconsin recognized my My Soxy Feet team tank. I am an ambassador for them but not used to being recognized with no stores in Oregon yet. That was fun and as I looked around I started seeing many running friends that I only see at races. I said hello to several people then started up my Garmin, we were about to start!
The weather was good for this time of year. 41 degrees with no rain, fingers crossed! The ground was wet and I knew we may get more rain, but for now...it was perfect race weather!
The bell rang and we were off. I felt trapped behind a few other runners and slowly weaved around them trying to not trip anyone. The whole race was on a very soggy golf course. It was definitely better to stay on the paved path. The grass was a mess. I quickly settled into a pace and realized I was feeling pretty good. As mile one and two passed I realized my pace was faster than it should be. I knew this wasn't a good idea for my current shape. I had over eleven miles left. I tried to regroup and slow down into a smarter pace. Things went through my mind like why not try to hold onto this pace...what if I can hold it? What if I bonk and can't finish? Why can't I settle into my tempo pace?
The ups and downs and twists and turns of the golf course made it hard for me to settle into my tempo (marathon) pace. Slightly frustrated I just kept going, trying to stay positive. I was just glad I wasn't behind pace. I would rather go a little too fast, than too slow. There were things I really liked about the course and things I really didn't like about the course. I didn't like having to turn so much. Lots of sharp turns and it was muddy in spots due to the rain and mud. I almost fell in the mud a couple times. There were a few bridges that were slick as well. I like the safety of this course. There are no cars at all. I like all the weaving because you can see runners ahead and behind you all the time. This is a two loop course. I don't mind a two loop course because the second time around I know what to expect and can mentally go into a good game plan to finish. I don't like having to go by the "finish" line knowing that people who are running the quarter marathon get to stop and I have to keep going! I like to see my split time on the clock and for something to do, try to give myself a goal time based on how I did for loop one!
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| 1st half of the race, started too fast. |
I know all of this may sound like a bore but I was running for a long time with not many people to talk too, so, many thoughts came to mind. Mile six was hard. There was an uphill, a big puddle, and a longer bridge to cross, causing my pace to slow down. I got a little frustrated knowing this is going to be the last mile next time around. I got past the halfway point and looked up at my split! I was ok with it and thought it would be really great to hold on keep my current pace up.
As you can see from my slits, too fast! I was suppose to run these miles at an 8:20 pace.
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| 2nd half of the race...my pace slipped quite a bit. |
I went on and started to struggle a little. My pace was showing it! I was getting tired and my upper legs were started to ache. I was actually thinking of ways to stop. I could walk and wait for one of my friends and run it in with them. I could just end it all and go back to the starting line. What business do I have even racing right now? This shouldn't be so hard! I haven't been training! Who's idea was this anyway!
These are not good thoughts to have out on the course when you have a good 6 miles left to run!
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| Olivia is gonna kill the course today! |
Somehow I kept at it! I knew if I stopped and walked it would be over. I kept talking myself into not stopping and to keep going. It was a battle in my own mind. Around mile seven I heard, "JULIE." It was my friend Olivia. With all the twists and turns, there she was! That quick hello encouraged me and I kept at it. About mile eight my right foot started giving me some issues. It was aching pretty bad. It's been an ongoing thing over the last few weeks off and on. I didn't think the pain was going to cause any long term damage so I tried to keep up and keep moving forward. I could now see, a couple people I had been running with for the last few miles were starting to struggle too. One of us would feel good and get going, then it would switch. This went on for the last five mile with about three people!
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| Because Running is better with a friend!!!! |
I've done enough half marathons to not get too stressed about the countdown of miles to the finish line. Early on in running the countdown to the finish line really stressed me out. Now, it's not stressful, it's just a simple countdown and trying to hold on. On a good day, these last miles are the best, it's when you speed up and finish strong! Today that wasn't going to happen. I was so tired and my foot was hurting really bad. I was able to pass one person and another person passed me! I finished with a course PR from last years same race, but far from a lifetime PR.
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| Uberthons Swag! |
I did finish this race with my tempo goal as the overall pace! The problem is, I didn't run this race very smart. I started too fast and I knew today wasn't a good day for that. I would of liked to have run this starting at an 8:20 and the last two miles between an 8:00 and 8:20.
I know a lot of this proably seems like nonsense babbling, but it is some of what goes on in the average runners head during a race! I feel I'm ready to start marathon training strong! I'm excited for marathon training and I'm excited to be more structured with my workouts and eating.
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| Uberthons Winter Half 1:49:10 |
Will I finally meet my goal in 2017? Guess time will tell! June will be here before I know it! It's time to get serious!
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Next on the race list! Uberthons Cha' co lah' dah thon on Feb 11th. There is a 5k and a 10k both starting at 8:45 at Cook Park. I'm trying to decide what distance I should run, and leaning more towards the 10k. There will be a Kidathon race at 10:15 so bring the kids out for this one! The kids race is free and open to ages 2 to 11. Parents may purchase a Uberkids medal for $10.00.
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