Feb 09
29th Annual Run for the Roses
For the first of six more weeks of winter, it sure was warm out there yesterday. I competed in the 29th Annual Run for the Roses. This race takes place around Valentines’ Day each year. At the end of the race, all female finishers are given roses. I think it’s a really nice touch.
It was an absolutely beautiful day.
Mile 1 - I started off fast, probably too fast as my later miles were way slow. There was a squad of army guys from Fort Bragg in our midst. They were wearing their army fatigues and carrying full packs, including bedrolls. What an interesting training exercise. They started at the back of the bunch. I was in the 3rd quartile of runners. The army guys passed me at about the half mile mark. My first mile felt good, and it WAS good. The sun was shining, it felt like a warm spring day, and while it was a bit warm and i was getting hot, the wind was oh-so-gentle and very cool. 9:38
Mile 2 - At the beginning of mile 2 i began to feel a burning in my right leg, from top to bottom. I thought at the time that my legs were finally warming up, and that it would pass. Figuring it would go away (it never did), i just kept running.
Halfway through this mile i looked ahead and saw a big hill. The army guys were walking up it, and i thought, sweet, i can catch them. Because wouldn’t it be cool to say i beat some army guys? When it was my turn to climb the hill, i tried to run all the way up it in order to gain time, but had to take a 30 second break midway. I justified it to myself by saying that the army guys took a break, so why can’t i? Nevermind that they are carrying 40+ pounds of gear on their backs…
When i saw my split for mile 2 i was surprised. 11:07. I didn’t feel like i’d been that slow. I had only walked the one time. My right leg was still burning, though, maybe that was affecting me? And it was downright hot at this point. Although when the wind blew it was nice and cool.
Mile 3 - At the start of mile 3 i could still see the army guys. I resolved not to lose them. We were faced with an even worse hill that the army guys walked up - i followed suit. This was the worst one yet, and while i tried to limit myself to 30 seconds, i had to walk a second time before i got to the top.
I almost caught the army guys at the end - there was a nice big downhill in the last half mile. But i pumped up the speed a little too early, and didn’t have a lot left for the last bit. Final 1.1 miles was 12:39.
My total time here was 33:24. I have to say, i’m a little disappointed in these results. But when i think back on the race, i know i wasn’t pushing myself as hard as i could have. During last month’s race, I took a few walk breaks and still got a stellar time. While not walking up hills is something i need to work on, that’s not my problem. If i want a great race, i need to really push myself.
I have 5 weeks to get ready for the Run for the Oaks in March. OK self, i have a personal goal now to beat my Run for Young time. Can i do it with 5 weeks of training?