Sunday 21 June 2015

Johnny Miles 10k Review

We all secretly have goals when we go into a race...an A, B, and C plan...or at least we should.  That was problem #1 today...I went in with only a Plan A...no B or C....I should know better!

Susan grabbed my kit last night so it saved me like an hour today...thanks girl!

Obviously an 'after race' shot as the medal is included
I met her just outside the race start and we drove in together this morning.  Thank god for Susan's sense of direction as I would have been totally lost without her.  We did the usual pre-race rituals like the washrooms, dynamic stretches, etc...and then it was time to line up.  The 10k and the 1/2 marathon started together and I have never been so tight and shoulder to shoulder with other racers as I was in that shoot today!

And then it was go time!!!  The rumor had it that the course was flat, and I was secretly hoping I could hit a 55 minute PB....a full minute less than my hilly Bluenose time.  As I started out, I immediately knew that the air was 'close' and that I wasn't able to get a good breath.  Susan and I had each looked at our pace calculator and I knew I needed 5.30/km to reach a 55 minute 10k....I kept looking at my garmin and I was at a constant 5.27-5.30 for the first 5k...and then the wheels fell off!!  At the 4k mark we hit trail and, it's not an excuse, but my push-off just isn't what it is on pavement....then we hit a couple slight inclines....and then I got a stitch.  Yes...this sounds like a bunch of excuses....and maybe it is....but it's what happened.

We ran over that bridge...and under it as well on the trail.
The course was beautiful....mostly trail along a river....I imagined doing training runs there as I tried to distract myself.  It didn't work.  I usually try to run past crowds of people...but I just didn't have it in me today so I walked.  I actually contemplated just throwing in the towel and saying 'screw it'.  But then I thought about it...and I have NEVER quit in a race...NEVER.  Even when my IT band hurt SOOOOOOO bad during my half that I was crying....I did not quit.  So today I decided to suck it up...and run for everyone who can't....for those just happy to be putting one foot in front of the other .  Was it pretty....no (and I'm sure my photos will show that)....but I crossed the finish line in 56.17 (only 11 seconds slower than my PB and 18/82 in my age category) and received a medal and a great post race meal.  I realize that I sound like a spoiled little brat who didn't get her way as I write this....but I didn't reach my goal today...and that sucks.  Will I give up?  No way....I want to hit 55 minutes....and I'll keep training until I do!!.

In terms of the actual event, I found it well organized, well mapped out, and with great crowd support.  It's one of the best finishing shoots (a slight down grade with tons of spectators) and has a great post race snack bag.  Like I said above, it has beautiful scenery once you hit the trail with only slight up/down hills.  The 1/2 and full marathon cover the same loop...just 2 or 4 times.  The trail was quite covered in terms of trees so the sun didn't beat down on us the entire time.

Now I turn my attention to 1/2 training.  I can't believe I am writing this yet again (as a true runner...I swore I'd never do another one after my first).  Which 1/2 am I doing?  I'm not 100% sure but have a couple in mind in the fall that I am considering.  We will see how my IT band holds up through training!

Time to toughen up the feet and get'er done!

8 comments:

  1. Great run today! I'm Glad you got to take part in Johnny so that you can see what I'm always going on about :) maybe the half next year? ;)

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    1. I did enjoy the course and see why you always do it. Maybe a half next year...totally depends on our winter. LOL

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  2. Feeling the same Courtney.. my last 10K I felt so great was looking forward to Johnny. My stomach was so upset I thought about dropping out! Then realizing I wasnt going to come near my goals was frustrating. I had to quickly readjust my goal to just finishing without vomiting! Goal acheived. :)

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    1. I thought I saw you come in slightly behind me. I'm sorry you weren't feeling well either...looks like we'll have to have a do-over next year!

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  3. I'm glad you went out there and gave it your all! Sometimes PRs come easy, but they're more worth it when you have to work at them a bit!

    I'm excited to hear which half you pick!

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    1. I can't even believe I am thinking of training for another 1/2...am I crazy?

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  4. That looks like a nice race, I've never done it. I think I'll put it in the plans for next year. Hey, don't be too hard on yourself, that was a very decent time! We all have to have those disappointing (to ourselves) races to build our story.

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    1. I would definitely add it to your list....a very reasonable cost as well! I like the idea of building our story!

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