We aren’t always rewarded with ideal weather conditions on race day. {Wouldn’t that be nice if we were!?} But that wouldn’t show the true grit & determination of a runner. Anyone can PR, given adequate training, if all of the stars align just perfectly. In my opinion, those characteristics of grit & determination can only be measured or seen by how a runner responds on those “un-perfect” race days.
As running coaches, this is why we teach runners to run by effort sometimes. Ignore the pace. Ignore the heart rate monitor. Ignore the distance travelled. Just go out & RUN by how your body wishes to run on that particular day. Often times, it is easier said than done. Living in an era when technology is paramount, people sometimes forget to return to the basics, when life was much simpler. I am guilty of this too, trust me! But sometimes, we have to remind ourselves to do just that—simplify & run by effort.
Another thing we have to do sometimes, which becomes easier to do the longer that you have been running, is to modify the goal. This can be a variety of things—from dropping to a shorter race, or deferring altogether; but often times, it’s adjusting the goal finishing time. In training, we plan & prepare for races, with goal times based upon having those “ideal” conditions. When training doesn’t go exactly as planned or race day isn’t turning out to be what you envisioned, then modify. This doesn’t mean that you’re a failure or that you won’t push it & give it your best; instead, it just means you are being realistic in regards to what your body is capable on that particular day. And that is totally okay!
My goal fall race, which I ran yesterday, had a lot of these adjustments—both based on weather conditions & training outcome. In theory, it’d be nice to pull a time out of your “you know what” & know it would happen on race day. But if you’re not capable of that time, well, then I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but, it isn’t happening! I, much like most of my readers, would love to run a 5:00 mile. Will it ever happen? Maybe. But probably not. What I am trying to say, is that a goal must be realistic, in order to be achieved.
Back at the start of summer, I pulled the goal time of sub-1:40 out of my a$$ for the Norfolk Harbor Half Marathon. Was this an un-realistic time? No, not really. But it would take some serious time & effort with training to PR twice in one year, at a particular distance that I rarely race. We’re only talking about taking 5+ minutes off of a PR; but the faster that you become, the harder it is to make huge gains on your PRs.
In the week leading up to the race, I had been sick, following my awesome adventure in Richmond, including an 8K PR that weekend. I was lethargic, with a persistent headache & a cough that wouldn’t quit. I decided to modify the goal, after crunching the paces, to simply PR—even by a second would be an accomplishment in my book. My PR from Shamrock was 1:42:25. This became an even more necessary decision when the local meteorologists began predicting cold temps with intense winds. Regardless of weather conditions & training outcome, I was up for the challenge & would push myself to the best effort I could produce on that given day.
When race day arrived, I was surprisingly calm. To be honest, I was ready to get this race over & move on to the start of marathon training. There was a part of me that even wished I’d oversleep on race day. There had been so much build-up, & for so many months, in regards to “THIS being IT, my GOAL fall race”. I was just over it all. Done. Dunzo. See? It’s not always rainbows & sunshine.
I ended up not sleeping in like I had wished, but instead made my way Downtown Norfolk, all laced up. Although I was ready to just be done with it all, I was happy to race again in my “neck of the woods”. Beach races are nice; but Norfolk races are so much better! Potholed streets & all.
Once the race began, my mantra was, “you have nothing to lose” & “how bad do you want it”. I had planned for an entire week off after the race {like zero running—which I NEVER do}, before starting marathon training. So I pretty much thought to myself, “You have all the time in the world to recover; PUSH IT”. A few friends are to thank for helping put my racing mental status in the correct spot—they know who they are, so THANK YOU! A huge thanks also goes to ALL of the friendly faces that I saw around the city spectating!! Such fun to round a corner & hear the yell from dear friends. And my husband. Wow, that man. I certainly don’t thank him enough, but I do hope he knows how much I appreciate him & how he “puts up” with all of my running adventures! XO
In the end, the forecasters were absolutely correct with their 20mph winds + gusts to 40mph. It was windy as can be! And cold—but I admit to loving that part! The wind was my ONLY complaint on race day. It was swirling wind. Headwind. Sidewind. Gusty wind. But very little tailwind. Every kind of wind that you can imagine. I did my best, dug deep, ran by effort. I had more in my “tank” at the finish; but I was just so over the effort of pushing through the wind. I hate “what ifs”, but I do wonder what my finishing time would have been, had there not been such intense winds to contend with. Maybe, just maybe, if there had been ideal weather conditions, I could have crushed that sub-1:40 goal. But then, I wouldn’t have a goal for next time! 😉
During the final half mile stretch… the look of “NO MORE WIND”!!
Official Time: 1:42:18 {7:49/mile}—a 7 second PR!
Overall: 106/1685
Female: 21/964
Age Group: 7/161
Splits, in case anyone cares…
- Mile 1 – 7:57
- Mile 2 – 7:42
- Mile 3 – 7:40
- Mile 4 – 7:37
- Mile 5 – 7:40
- Mile 6 – 7:43
- Mile 7 – 7:50
- Mile 8 – 7:45
- Mile 9 – 7:44
- Mile 10 – 7:55
- Mile 11 – 7:55
- Mile 12 – 7:31
- Mile 13 – 7:42
- Final 0.22 miles to the Finish – 7:31
Garmin Time: 1:42:18 (7:44/mile)
After the race, a friend asked me if this helps with my confidence going into Shamrock Marathon training with my goal of #BQorBust {yes, another pulled out of my a$$ goal!}. You know, it sure does. Would I have been more confident with a sub-1:40?? Absolutely. But I have to give myself credit for achieving a PR, after/while being sick, with so-so training, & in un-perfect conditions. It makes me utterly hopeful & optimistic about the running future. Bring on all of the lucky leprechauns you can find!! I am coming for you, Shamrock Marathon!
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