For the first time I qualified for an "elite start". It was really nice. There was parking close to the start, my bib was waiting for me (no packet pickup), private bathrooms, and a tent filled with snacks. It was kind of a thrill. Plus a few of my friends were also in the elite tent, so it was great spending time with them before and after the race.
I knew it was gonna be a warm day (almost 70 degrees at the start), but I had no idea how badly the heat would get me. The first few miles went by ok. The splits weren't as fast as I had hoped. But the pace felt comfortable. It was a pace that I believed I could hang onto, and then speed up in the last 5k.
The first 5 miles were between 6:30-6:40 pace. Again, this was "just ok", but I still felt like I could close strong and end up in that 1:25-1:26 range. I hit the 10k mark in 41:15 (a new 10k PR).
My mom biked the course and met me at a few different spots. It was great to have her out there, and her support really helped. Towards the end of the race the #1 or #2 female passed out from the heat. My mom (a former nurse) was the first one to arrive and give her assistance.
The course is really nice- shaded, tree line streets, a few rolling hills and some beautiful homes. The small hills in the early part of the course didn't affect me much. But at mile 7 there's a sharp drop, and an insanely steep climb. Here's the elevation chart:
Between miles 7 and 10 I started to fade. It was at this point when I realized that the big PR wasn't going to happen. The heat was getting to me and my energy felt zapped. I was hanging with the 6th place female, but she was very strong pulled away from me. I was completely alone from mile 8 until the finish. I didn't get passed at all, and I picked off a few stragglers.
By mile 10 the wheels fell off. I was struggling badly, and had to force myself to keep moving. It was a total crash, and I had nothing left. I kept thinking about how good I felt at the end of Tel Aviv. I was shocked and frustrated by how much worse I felt today. There were moments when I asked myself "why am I doing all this training?"
I felt like I had worked so hard since Tel Aviv, I should be much faster. It made me question my future in running and what I'm ultimately capable of. Now (12 hours later) I've accepted the fact that the heat affected me significantly, and that today's result is not indicative of my true fitness level. Although my confidence is still shaken.
Miles 11 and 12 were just miserable. 7:02 and 6:58. Not only was I physically exhausted, but I was also upset. At mile 12 my watch showed 1:21:xx. I may have been light headed, but I was coherent enough to understand that if I ran another 7min mile, I wouldn't even PR. I still had something to salvage!
I really gave it my all in the last mile. It wasn't much, but it was still a considerable push. I had to dig deep for it. The discomfort was searing, and I couldn't wait to be done. Usually when I finish races with a strong kick there's a certain thrill and exhilaration. But this felt different. There was a sense of urgency and desperation.
As I approached mile 13 I realized that I'd get the PR and I felt some relief. I still kicked as hard as I could to the finish and crossed the line with a 20 second PR. After crossing the line I collapsed to the ground and simply sat on my ass. I've never done this in a race and it may have been a bit overdramatic. But I truly had nothing left. I was only down for a few seconds and I got up with the assistance of a medic. I was handed an ice soaked towel. Putting the towel on my head/neck was so shockingly refreshing that it made me gasp for air. I was burning up, so I grabbed 3 more towels. I stumbled out of the finish area and reconnected with my family.
Mile 1- 6:32
Mile 2- 6:45
Mile 3- 6:40
Mile 4- 6:33
Mile 5- 6:42
Mile 6- 6:49
Mile 7- 6:30
Mile 8- 6:47
Mile 9- 6:43
Mile 10- 6:38
Mile 11- 7:02
Mile 12- 6:58
Mile 13- 6:32
.10- 0:48
FINISH- 1:28:05 (6:44 pace)
I spoke with a few friends who finished in the 1:15-1:20 range. They told me that everyone faded around mile 10. It made me feel better to know that it wasn't just me. I've quoted Josh Cox before, his rule is "If you set a PR you can't say anything bad about the race". This definitely applies here. It's just a tough pill to swallow when my expectations were so much higher.
During the race I was confused and frustrated. I questioned my training, my fitness level and my future in the sport. But I've been able to shake it off. I run very poorly in the heat and I haven't had a chance to get acclimated this season. At the end of the day I'm able to walk away and see this as a positive result. My family came out to support me, I caught up with some friends, and still managed to PR despite the conditions.
I will recover properly, and get after it.
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