Rock n Roll Half 3/23/2014

_shaky start
2014 early season started badly: I raced like I wasn't supposed to; I over-pushed yoga; a mounting bolt slashed right thigh; half of skate and bike sessions were canceled due to weather. 

With extra 2 lb and lingering yoga injury, I didn't bother with a training program for this race. 

I didn't rest properly 24 hours prior to the race.  "Let it go.  Enjoy life." 

_goal
1 day before race: 95-minute felt reachable; 100-minute would be OK.  “Treat it like a tempo run before Irving Marathon.”

_error on the aggressive side
77% humidity, 47F, NNE 17 mph wind. 
weather.com canceled the rain.

I lost my resolve for "just a good tempo run" and aimed to PR.  I set Garmin 310xt to 7:11 pace. 

bib # implied I was the first one to register

_start
Casey and I started too far back.  We lost time behind other runners.  I surged at an underpass to reach a better pack.  I stepped into a crack.  Left ankle rolled.  Right foot caught.  Close call.  I swallowed other people's pace.  Should've started behind Deena.

_failed electronics
I always became antsy at 5k mark at Rock n Roll.  Not this year.  The pace felt hard.  I made conscious effort to keep the rhythm.  Others passed me at climbs.

Things went more wrong at mile 4.  Side stitch started after GPS lost its signal.  I backed off.  1:35 group caught me.  My best option was to trust the 2 strangers.  I focused on a sub 95-minute finish but prepared myself for meltdown, “2-hour finish wouldn’t be end of the world, but give yourself a chance to breakfast with Voon and Casey.”

The herd included a dozen runners plus several of us at the fringe.  I didn't feel confident enough to join the conversations. 

I felt weak at 10k.  I felt in trouble.  Other runners in the pack fell off or surged to relay exchange.  Relay runners could be distracting.  By mile 8, the 2 pacers became my dedicated windshield.  I was surprised I wasn't doing worse.  I eavesdropped on the pacers’ conversation: they had opposing assessment whether I could hang on. 

I turned off survival mode as we crested the peak.  I thanked the pacers and accelerated.  "We'll beat you with the stick if we catch you." 

The legs were fried but kept on turning.  My body often surprised me at races.  "Why can't I reach this pain threshold during training?"  “How fast can I run if chased by a lion?”

[Proof I use heels while running, photo by Voon]

Runners were stretched out after mile 11.  I felt the pacers breathing down my neck.  I struggled to hold the speed while avoiding downtown potholes.  I couldn't reach the old guy just 15 seconds ahead, it was maddening.  The high school kid behind me probably felt the same way.

#'s
1:32:48 (34 seconds slower than PR)
placement: 213/9678
10k pace: 7:16/mile
avg pace: 7:05/mile

[example of bad form per _Chi Running_, photo by Voon]


_personality flaw
I crossed the line cramplessly and wished I pushed harder.  I felt better when calves cramped while putting on warm cloths.

_post race
FB friend’s friend Rob came in before the 95-minute pacers.  We upgraded friendship and would do The Bull Run in 2 weeks.

Casey wore an orange polo shirt.  No problem spotting him this time.

I wanted to meet Deena Kastor but was too cold to wait around. 

Aunt Sherry knew I was racing but phoned.  My heart sank seeing the missed call notification--"something bad happened during chemo...."  It turned out she just needed to know if I wanted BBQ for dinner.  I suppose the dark cloud will remain 'til the inevitable.

Casey, Voon, and I reached AllGood Cafe before the crowd.  Life is all about timing.  Good food.  Great company.