Rock n Roll USA - You were kind to me!
This race has always been one of my favorites as I love not having to
really travel or drive my car to a race. This year they had a new course with
that start line starting by the Washington Monument and ending at RFK stadium. I
thought this would be a hassle, but it really worked out perfect. And walking home from the finish line was the best.
We took the metro from Eastern Market and were by the start line in no
time. I wanted to try to go to the bathroom one last time before starting, but
the lines were impassably long, so not bathroom breaks, we just made our way to
the start. I gave M a kiss and wished him good luck as we were starting in
different corrals. I was in 3, he was in 10. I actually really liked how they
started the corrals with a minute or so in-between. Made for no running into
people and bumping elbows. I was happy.
My goal going into this race was a 1:40:xx - which would be a 4 minute PR for
me. I didn't have high hopes for myself and decided I was just going to run at
whatever pace.
Miles 1 - 3: 7:20 - 7:06 - 7:24
Weeee.... this is fun and I'm feeling good. I wasn't really paying much
attention to my pace until I ran over the 5k timing mat. I thought I should
maybe slow down, as may pace should be around 7:40 but I was feeling good and I
knew the big Calvert hill would kill my pace anyhow and I needed to make up the
time somewhere.
Miles 4 - 6: 7:23 - 7:35 - 7:30
This is the new section of the course that runs on Rock Creek Parkway. I
thought it would be boring, but it really didn't bother my much. I found a guy
running in a bright yellow shirt and decided he was running a nice comfy pace
and that I would stick right behind him. I no longer wanted just a 1:40, I
wanted a sub 1:40 and I was feeling so good I thought for sure I could do it.
Miles 7 - 9: 8:33 - 7:46 - 7:31
Calvert Hill - Aka Death Hill. Just as suspected this hill was a beast! I
was really looking forward to seeing team rage as they were standing near the
top cheering everyone on. It put a small smile on my face when I saw them. Best
cheering squad ever :) I actually don't know what mile the hill as at though? I
feel like the 10k timing mat might have been at the top of hill, which means I
actually still held a 7:30 minute mile going up the thing. Which would also explain why I felt like I might die when I got to the top. My next mile I could barely
move my legs and I was breathing hard. I tried to keep up with yellow shirt but
he kept getting farther and farther away from me. Watched beeped: 8:33. WTF. I
thought about giving up. Could I still get a sub 1:40 with this stupid 8:33
mile? I didn't want to give up. I wanted to try so I kept running. Next mile was
a little better at a 7:46 and then a 7:31. I can do this!
Miles 10 - 13: 7:27 - 7:46 - 8:06 - 7:23
Once I crossed the 10 mile mark I started during the math in by head. I can get
1:39, but then I start slowing down..... whomp whomp whomp! I don't know why but
mile 12 up the small hill on 13th street really killed me. I thought I was going
faster than what I was and was really upset when I saw my watch beep at an 8:06.
I knew this was going to be near to impossible now because I had no seconds to
spare on my watch. I gave it my all the last mile for a 7:23 pace but it wasn't
good enough.
On my watch: 13.23 mile = 1:40:46 for a 7:37 pace
Official time: 13.1 miles = 1:40:47 for a 7:42 pace.
Thoughts
I got a PR! I made my goal! But, I was still disappointed. I felt so strong
most of the run and just let it slide away from me in the last couple of miles.
A couple seconds here or there and I would have an a 1:39. I guess better luck
next time and I know I should still be happy.
Side note: Jason also got a PR by 7 minutes and went a sub 2 hrs with a
1:59 :)
Happy Monday All and I hope everyone is enjoying the snow
Killer PR! My goal for my next half is a PR so this race I kind of just ran for training. That hill though brought out more curse words than I knew I had in me.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the PR! You took that hill like a champ.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the PRs you two!! You ran an amazing race and I'm glad you hit your goal! I definitely understand feeling disappointed though, I felt the same way a little bit this past weekend.
ReplyDeleteYou'll get sub-1:40 soon!
Congrats again! I feel like I've run this exact same race mentally- going for a goal, then changing my goal to be faster, then being disappointed when I didn't get my adjusted goal but achieved my original! You did great - You will go sub 1:40 next time. :)
ReplyDelete