Bay Area Turkey Day Run
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Bay Area Turkey Day Run - Run
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Run
Comments: At race start, I told myself to keep to my pace and not worry about everyone shooting out of the gate. It was hard, but I was holding myself back. I was targeting a 7:30 mile for the first mile and then hoping I could hold on and/or quicken the pace just slightly. I was feeling okay for the first mile, but when it came in slow (7:37), I started to get a little concerned. I told myself to just brush it off and keep pushing. During the second mile, you can see those in front of you coming back after the turn around. I occupied my mind for a bit watching for people I knew and soon enough, I was at the turn around too. I made the turn and started to chase down a guy in front of me. After a few minutes, I caught him and made the pass....second mile clicked off at 7:47. WTF? I was hurting pretty badly at this point....I was disappointed that I couldn't maintain my pace -- not even close. Again, I told myself to brush it off and just keep pushing....keep up the effort, try to pick up the pace. Part way through the third mile, everything was hurting....my legs felt flat the entire run and it definitely wasn't getting any better, my lungs were now starting to burn, and my stomach felt like it was in knots. At some point, I seriously considered just dropping off and jogging it in. But I knew I'd be disappointed in myself for not giving it what I had, so I kept pushing as much as I could....even if it was at a pathetic 7:55 pace. I crossed the finish line and I couldn't do anything....I wanted to cry. Everything hurt and I knew I'd done poorly. They cut the timing chip off my shoe and I just kept walking, on the verge of hyperventilating and crying. I really didn't know what to do with myself, I just hurt so bad. There's definitely no part of me that believes I didn't give it everything I had -- I'm just disappointed with how little there apparently is to give :( I hate racing and being disappointed with myself at the end. I don't train and race to "stay in shape" (that's never been an issue for me) -- I do this to make improvements and see how much my hard work pays off. And when the hard work doesn't pay off, I'm extremely disappointed and confused and....well, I guess disappointed is the most appropriate word. It just really sucks to feel like I put in the effort, but don't get the results. I'm not used to being bad at things....I'm not always the best, but I work hard and get better....and for whatever reason, my running just never seems to get better. What would you do differently?: I don't know, I wish I knew... Post race
Warm down: After my crying/hyperventilating issue was resolved, I did a short warm-down run, then changed into some dry clothes before stretching and eating a banana What limited your ability to perform faster: I don't have a good answer....I wish I did. Maybe my fucked up run gait? Maybe 30 - 35 mpw is not enough....or is too much? Maybe I'm just destined to be a mediocre runner? I don't know, but I'm all ears if anyone has suggestions. Last updated: 2014-11-27 12:00 AM
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2014-11-27 3:09 PM |
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2014-11-27 10:01 PM in reply to: 0 |
2014-11-27 10:48 PM in reply to: #5070463 |
2014-11-29 10:14 AM in reply to: ImSore |
General Discussion-> Race Reports! |
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United States
On the Run
52F / 11C
Sunny
Overall Rank = 65/504
Age Group = F30-39
Age Group Rank = 2/74
Okay, so this is not going to be one of those positive, I-did-great, I'm-so-happy-with-my-performance kinds of reports. This is going to be a very honest report and if anyone actually reads it, I'd certainly appreciate some feedback because at this point, I feel like I'm just wasting my time with running....wondering if I should just give up and try to find something else to do.
My plan for this winter was to do a run focus and make some improvements before next tri season. I started this run focus in mid-September, running six days a week, which includes a tempo run (focusing on HM pace), a threshold run (focusing on 5k pace), a long run, and the remaining runs done at an easy pace. I raced this race last year on just a couple months of running (after coming back from an injury that had me out of running for well over a year), probably less than 20 mpw. I ran it at 7:50/mile pace and was super excited about it.
Since this race last year, I've put in 1390 miles. Most weeks were in the 30 - 35 mpw range, with a few weeks off or less for taper/racing/recovery, and a number of weeks closer to 40 mpw. Other than the last couple months, all of my running was done at a conversational pace -- so easy running, but a decent volume (run lots -- mostly easy).
So after a solid year of running, I came into this race expecting to make some improvements....and by some, I was expecting about 15-20s/mile. That clearly did not happen and at this point, I feel like I wasted an entire year for nothing. I'm at a loss as to how to get better. I see people running far less volume who easily throw down times faster than this. Everyone says my gait is fucked up, but I don't know how to fix it. I'm going to try to find a running coach to see if we can make some changes that don't result in me getting injured, but I don't know if I'll just be wasting my time and money at that point because it seems that what works for "everyone" clearly doesn't work for me.
One mile of easy running followed by 4x30" strides at 5k pace on 1' recovery, then a few more minutes of easy running back to the start line