Well... Not at all what I hoped for but the best I had today. Came into the race fairly well rested and better prepared than last year so I fully expected to run faster. Started out right on target. Was shooting for 8:18 per mile. My watch was off and that made it harder to judge. Second and third mile also right on pace. Working to keep that pace but well within myself. Then I started to get side cramps. I hung on until 6 miles but then needed to slow down. Frustrating cause I have run that pace for longer in workouts. After that I just kept getting slower and slower. Legs just refused to move faster. I wasn't running with a smooth stride from the hips. I was just gimping along. My goals kept shifting. First I wanted to break 1:49. Then 1:50. Then I just wanted to beat my time from last year. Then I just didn't want to walk. Finally I came up with a goal that I was able to achieve - I finished before they ran out of chocolate milk. Rethinking fall plans. I have no desire to run a marathon if I can't break 4:00 which it looks like I can't. That all sounds pretty pessimistic. It's not meant to be I am grateful to be a part of the running community and at 50 to simply be able to finish a half is a precious gift. |