[jaektaylor]

A while back someone posted asking whether anyone ever imagined their ideal race and it got me thinking about doing so for an upcoming 1/2 M for which a set a goal of setting a new PR. My training has gone OK. I'm fighting off some Plantar Fasciitis and a nasty cold, but I think I'm ready based on my speedwork and longer tempo runs.<br><br>
I'm going to use my Garmin to run against a pace-buddy at 8:00 min. pace. My pace will vary because of the terrain of the course - one really big scary steep downhill section and a tedious uphill finish. All with wonderful central PA weather to enhance the enjoyment.<br><br>
My pace buddy will be set at 8:00 min miles.<br><br>
Here is my ideal race plan. I always start off a bit fast, so I'm going to allow myself a little speed the first 2 miles, then calm down. I'm allowing a little slow down for a slight climb aournd miles 4,5,6 and then going for speed w/ the big downhill in miles 7 and 8. I'll try to stay on pace for miles 9 and 10 and then chug through miles 11, 12 and 13 uphill to the finish. That's a rough plan, but basicaly I'm going to get ahead of the pace buddy in the first two miles and try not to let him catch me.<br><br>
This all seem perfectly logical and is conservative if I check pace predictors, but it's a tough course - in addtion to the hills there is a lot of exposure to strong winds. I have no idea how this is going to go.<br><br>
The race is Sunday. I'll post an update with actuals.<br><br>
Now I've just committed to looking like a big dork if my fantasy race is way off of reality, but what the heck, that should help motivate me during the race.<br><br>
I think I'm going to be sick.

 

[jaektaylor]

ok,so the tables didn't exactly translate well. I can't seem to figure out how to edit the post to fix that. Sorry.<br><br>
I found the edit button way over to the right. I cut out the tables.

 

[Ileneforward]

Good luck jaektaylor! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Smile"> (Don't go too fast in the first 2 miles. Maybe 7:44)

 

[altoids]

Good luck! I think I know which half you are doing, and I hear it's a bit hilly!

 

[jaektaylor]

Thanks, I'm not nearly as worried about the hills as I am about the sleet and freezing rain at this point. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Smile">

 

[altoids]

Here's hoping it will hold off for you! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Smile">

 

[jaektaylor]

well the weather held of nicely, my cold went away and I slept without any issue from acid reflex, so no excuses. The only bad thing was that was very cloudy and I could not get a reading from my garmin so I left it at home.<br><br>
I met a friend from the local running club before the race, when I heard his goal time, which was 5 min. slower than mine, I started to think I was in trouble. He normally would run 5 min. faster than me at least. It is a tough course. So I started to think about just seeing how close I could come.<br><br>
The first 3 miles were on unpaved road and were a bit icy, so I was slower than planned, but not bad by mile 4 I was just :20 total slower than goal pace and feeling good.<br><br>
I started to get hot and had to remove my hat and gloves and open my coat. I still felt well, the next time I caught the mile marker was at 8 miles and I was only 1:00 min total slower than goal pace - I was pretty happy with that.<br><br>
Then I don't know what happened, mile nine seemed to go ok, I don't remember seeing the marker, but at mile 10 I was 5 min. off pace. During mile ten I started to have twinges of cramps in my left calf. After mile 11, I was 6 min. slower and geting a cramp/spasm in my calf w/ every step. I stoped and rubbed and stretch. By mile twelve, I was 8 min slower than goal pace. The cramps stopped in the last mile and a slogged my way to the finish. About 30 yds. from the finish, I heard "yeah Daddy!" and looked and saw my wife and two daughters were at the finish. This was a total surprise- they went to Sunday School, but then skipped church to be there. This gave me a great burst of energy to cross the line. I finished 12 min slower than goal pace. As I crossed and walked over to my family, I almost lost it and teared up , but I held it together. I was just totally spent physically and emotionally. The last three miles were tough, I had to keep talking myself through setting goals of getting to the next telephone pole, the next corner etc.<br><br>
My goal pace was realistic based on my recent race times, but maybe that applies to a flatter course and/or if my training had been more focused. I'm over my initial dissappointment, I've had my ice bath and now I'm working on my training plan for the next 20 weeks.<br><br>
I had a bad race, but a bad race is better than not racing.<br><br>
Thanks for all the good vibes you sent my way, they apparently helped with the weather and maybe carried me those last miles.<br><br>
Thanks!

 

[altoids]

I was thinking about you today!<br><br>
Sorry to hear about the difficulties toward the end. Don't they say that course is designed to make you see God?<br><br>
Way to tough it out. And very very cool that your family gave you such a nice surprise at the end!<br><img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Smile">

 

[jaektaylor]

Yes, as the quotes on the site say, I'm not sure I saw God, but that's probably just because he passed me to0. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Smile">

 

[altoids]

<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Very Happy"><br><br>
do you have another race in your sights now?

 

[jaektaylor]

yes - first the indoor mile series that we do on the PSU indoor track. We run them at the beginning of their indoor track meets. It gives us a chance to run on a really nice track and it lets their timing crew test out their equipment set up to make sure everything is a go before the 'real' races. I don't think they really need the check, but it's a nice thing for them to let us do. There are four races, I 'll probably do 2.<br><br>
Then - the Egg Hill ten miler, it's a hilly course but last time a ran it, I beat my time from the Broad Street 10 miler, not sure how that works, but I like the course.<br><br>
Thanks so much for all of your support.