Wow, Its been a while since I have blogged. Last week I ran in the Moab half and it didn't turn out quite as well as I would have hoped. It was kind of an experience for me so I thought I would jot it down so I can laugh/remember it one day...
My goal for this race was to run a 1:23-1:24 (about 2-3 minutes faster than last year) I also thought it would be fun to win again (although you never know who will show up thats good competition-so the only one I can REALLY compete with is myself) Anyway, I trained hard. My program was basically the same I used for last year, but this year I was hitting slightly faster training paces. (I was in slightly better shape than last year-but definitely not St George shape)
Race day was terribly windy again (dejavu of last year), (wind is my worst nemesis-I would rather run in the snow, cold, rain) It would be nice if the wind was at our backs, but it was a straight head/cross wind...My body felt "off" early in the race. I usually feel amazing while racing and I typically look at racing as the reward/prize for all the hard training. This was not the case. My splits started falling off of the pace I wanted about 3 miles in and the wind was grueling...About mile 6- the wind also blew gatorade in my eye, (which really stings when mixed with dust!) all the while I am dodging tumbleweeds blowing across the road....boohoo... I know I am complaining alot-but it was just one of those races where I couldn't get it together physically or mentally....I kept telling myself to "keep pushing," but it was really hard. I realized the wind would slow my time down, and it sure did. I ended up finishing 4th overall with a time of 1:27:54-over a minute and a half slower than last year, almost 5 minutes off of goal time....Of course I am upset about how the race went, (I wanted to finish so much BETTER) (Sheesh-I was 12 seconds slower per mile than the full St George marathon!) In spite of everything I realize I gave it my all considering the conditions. My body wasn't feeling it and there were faster girls than me so I will learn from this race and move on...It taught me a lesson. Even though it was a super hard race for me, and the wind kicked my butt-I did persevere and finish, though it was tempting to quit. (Quitting never crosses my mind-I usually LOVE racing-that's how bad I felt) I know that in spite of being optimistic and positive not every race can be perfect, and sometimes your body can feel "flat and off" and that's how this one went down unfortunately...(Maybe I am low on iron?? -maybe I am slightly burned out??) Who knows exactly why it was one of "those days." I guess I wouldn't know a great race if I didn't have a bad one....I do know I have a much faster time in me on that course, but if "old man weather" won't cooperate I may never get to run that fast time....
K....I had a bad race and now I am over it and moving on...Time for a great race now...
I plan on taking a much needed break for a little bit-(my body and mind need it) Then I will hit the training hard for the Utah Valley Marathon in mid June...I plan on having a much better experience at that one...
On a more positive note I got to spend some time in Utah with my family .
We celebrated my "old woman" (30th) birthday at Brick Oven. I love that place..
I finally got to meet my new niece Oaklee for the first time.. She is soo cute!
Also went to the zoo...The kids loved it
and lets not forget the highlight for Cache-getting his picture taken with Mater (on main street in Moab.)
5 comments:
Your amazing and did great! Glad you got to spend time with your family too.
Oh my girl! If I could run five miles I would be flying high as a kite! I love reading about your races-- I feel like I'm in your head and that's about as good as it will get for me on the running end of things! :) I am so impressed that you did so well despite the crazy conditions you were running in! I also saw this gorgeous girl on the cover of some magazine recently. She kind of favored you a bit and the cute man who showed me it seemed like a really proud and happy dad! I too was a proud and happy friend!! You looked great! Keep up the amazingness (I know that's probably not a word but I like saying it) that is in you! You inspire me in so many ways!! I love how humble you are when you have such incredible talents you have been blessed with. :)
You are so amazing! Great job on your race.
Good job on your race! I think you did great! 30 is a hard birthday isn't it!!! I didn't like it at all. Looks like you had a fun trip to Utah. Is Oaklee Sherri or Lauri's baby? She is a cutie! It's good to see what you've been up to lately!
I felt EXACTLY the same way at Moab: I ran 5 minutes slower than I wanted to also and my pace was also dropping by mile 3....and I wanted to quit (and I never do in a race). I felt like I was reading my own blog as I read yours! Chin up! You will get them next time!
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