But despite getting 2 hours of sleep, I was pumped up and ready to run. It was one of those races that I entered with a ton of confidence. Based on recent training, I felt certain that it would go well. Showing up at the start line of mega-races has always been a fun moment for me. There's a palatable energy and excitement.
While I felt confident that the race would go well, I wasn't certain about pacing and where my finish time would end up. My plan was to run conservatively for the first half of the race, and gradually increase my pace if I was feeling good.
The first 6 miles of the race twisted and turned through Prospect Park. I felt good and found a comfortable pace, but it was difficult to maintain a steady rhythm because of the rolling hills. I found myself looking at my watch and checking my pace far too often. But I held a 7:10-7:15 pace as best I could, and was still able to enjoy this part of the course. I felt relatively relaxed here and just tried to run within myself. I hear that term thrown around often- "run within yourself." But what does that even mean? Can you run outside yourself?
After exiting the park there is a flat strait-away for 6 miles down Ocean Parkway. With the hills behind me and 6 miles to go, I was prepared to steadily press on the accelerator.
Around mile 8 the fatigue began to set in. I kept telling myself to relax. I just tried to maintain focus. I was running a sub 7:00 pace, and despite the very significant discomfort, I was able to keep pressing on the gas and increasing my pace.
By mile 10 the pain was searing and intensity was off the charts. This is the point of the race where my body is pleading to slow down. It's also the part of the race that requires a ton of courage (and maybe some craziness). I have to constantly reassure myself that everything will be ok, that I can keep pressing on the gas and I'm not going to fall apart.
I was able to dig deep in the last 5k and put forth everything that I had left. It always hurts so badly and yet somehow I feel thrilled in these moments. At mile 13 the race turned onto the Coney Island Boardwalk and the finish line came into sight. Running on the boardwalk was cool, but would have been more enjoyable if I wasn't experiencing mind-blowing discomfort.
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| Mile 3 vs Mile 13 |
I crossed the finish line with a tremendous sense of satisfaction (and exhaustion). Throughout the 2nd half of the race I passed a lot of people, and didn't get passed once. I found this to be both good and bad. It was motivating to catch people, but it would have been nice to be pushed by others.
While I'm not yet in the best shape I've ever been, I'm not far from it. I'm optimistic that my training is heading in the right direction.
Mile 1- 7:25
Mile 2- 7:14
Mile 3- 6:58 (downhill)
Mile 4- 7:09
Mile 5- 7:19 (uphill)
Mile 6- 7:12
Mile 7- 6:50
Mile 8- 7:01
Mile 9- 6:54
Mile10- 6:54
Mile 11- 6:48
Mile 12- 6:43
Mile 13- 6:24
0.1- 6:12
FINISH- 1:32:31 (7:03 avg)
This was the first race I ran with the Dashing Whippets Running Team. I am so grateful for the way this team contributed to my race experience. I was surrounded by teammates from the moment I walked out my door at 4:00am until I got home at 3:00pm. During the race it gave me a huge boost to see the blue and yellow singlets on the course. At the post-race party it was a blast to meet new teammates while exchanging race stories and words of encouragement. I'm looking forward to more races and training sessions with this group.
