Sunday, September 5, 2010

What a Joke.

I'm not a very serious person. I'd say I'm almost never 100% serious. Even if I'm having a serious conversation... I tend to insert jokes. I'm silly. I can't help it.

BUT the one thing I have been the most serious about is running/training...until this past summer. I don't know if it was my lack of desire to train in the summer or too many distractions or work or WHAT but I didn't train as hard as I should have. Today I "ran" the Rock n' Roll half.
My finishing time: 2:23:51. I PRed. I could have done A LOT better if I didn't lose steam around mile 9. For the first time in my life I experienced what it felt like to feel really dehydrated in a race. At every water stop I was guzzling 2-3 cups of water/Cytomax. It was as if the water stops couldn't come soon enough.

Look at these splits:
5k-- 30:02 (PR for official race)
10k-- 1:01:51
(PR for official race)
(And I was just jogging comfortably)

10 mile-- 1:47:30
11.4 mile-- 2:02:55
12.3 mile-- 2:13:53


One complaint I have... for being a HUGE race the finish line sucked. There were blow up arches along the course but the finish line was not marked with a huge arch that could be seen from a distance. The last mile or so was a straight shot on the board walk but it was impossible to tell how close we were to the finish. Meh. Oh and for the record Miller GD64 also sux.But you probs already knew that, even if you've never tried it. Today was my first time.

Also today the first time in my life I used the "Galloway" method in a half marathon...meaning I ran out of steam around mile 9 and started taking walk breaks. My initial goal was 2:10:00ish. I hit sub 10 min miles for the first 10k. When the heat started getting to me I decided on a 2:15ish goal... and somewhere between miles 9 and 13.1....I decided as long as I PRed I'd be happy. I guess I did a good job of "listening to my body." I didn't die. And I wasn't carried out on a stretcher. Both good things.

My finishing time isn't what I'm frustrated with. I managed to PR taking walk breaks versus the other 3 races where I jogged the entire thing. What a joke.

Right now I think I'm stunned that I seem to have lost a bit of a passion for running. I don't know why. Maybe because my running buddy moved away? Maybe because the good friends who originally got me into running halvsies aren't my good friends anymore? Maybe I just want to run and not do a long race? Or maybe I'm just tired because I've been up since 5am? I feel numb right now. I think I'll stick with 5-6 mile runs until I get inspiRED to do another half. Which could very well be the Shamrock because that's the only half I've found so far that I LOVE. LOVE. LOVE.


On more positive notes: I'm really excited about the yellow tank top I got for this race. The Virginia Beach Rock n' Roll Half has blue and white theme colors. I thought yellow would go well with the blue. Blue is so boring...

And I had a Red Robinnnnnnn Whiskey River Burger after the race. YUM.

11 comments:

Pam @ herbieontherun.com said...

Congrats on the PR! Walking, running, who gives a shit? lol A PR is a PR, baby!!! lol

TNTcoach Ken said...

I agree, a PR is a PR. Now you have shoot for another.

NewbieRunner said...

Way to go! You still did it and you didn't give up. I read one of Galloway's books last Christmas before my first half and it totally inspired me with the walk/run method. It's all good! Way to go. I'm still trying to get inspired to get back into running as well. It's been hard for me too.

The Boring Runner said...

congrats congrats congrats!!! That is so awesome. So now, you need to sign up for some 5Ks and 10Ks to crush those PRs too!!!

You're right - your yellow top does look good. I've been looking for a good yellow one for me but it seems like all of the guy's shirts are crossing gaurd yellow instead of normal yellow

WannabeRunner said...

That is so awesome, way to go!! I can understand how you'd be frustrated though - but hell, it's a PR and you did great!!

Miss Organizized said...

Duuuuude. You ARE me. I'm SO over it. Which is really messed up considering how serious I TOO was about running. In any case, like erone says, a PR's a PR! So congrats on that action!! After my Half is up this coming weekend, I'm going to start barefoot training. I'm hoping it'll rekindle my running lovefest.

The un-Zen Runner said...

I'm more disappointed that you drank a Miller than that you walked.

My summer has been slack as all get out!! My excuse...its hot, I got lots going on when the weather is perfect (in CA), and I'm a freakin' slacker!! Haha. Don't worry about it. You're fit, that's all that matters. Do what you enjoy. As long as that's not drinking Miller...

Unknown said...

Nice race post and good result too. I like the picture anyway you looks all gorgeous there.

zbsports

Ed said...

AWESOME! Way to go on the PR! I hear ya with the need for inspiration... When I was reading it, I was saying in, "mmMMmm HmM".. I know what you are talking bout. I am cramming for my 10K this summer. Thanks for inspiring me to show up and finish!

Ed said...

Where are you? We miss you!!

Unknown said...

Great splits..Good luck on your training..

--Keep running like no one is looking.
~mizuno