Hi! Long time no type! I ran the Emerald City Quarter Marathon this past Sunday. It was a perfect day.
I got up at 4:45, went down and ate breakfast (english muffin with crunchy peanut butter and honey drizzle) I also had coffee and water. After eating, I went upstairs and got dressed. Capris, sleevless t, balega socks, mizuno shoes, SVTC visor. I grabbed a long sleeved T to wear over to the race.
The weather was perfect. It was cool, but not cold. It was a dark morning, with little stars out.
My training for this race wasn't exactly as I had planned, I didn't get enough speed work in, but I did get the long runs in...I wasn't sure what to expect. My original goal was 1 hour. I honestly didn't think this was attainable, so I made a well, if the stars are aligned goal...it was 1:10. and to keep an 11 minute mile. Last year when I did the race, I killed miles 5-12...in the heat and humidity..so I wasn't sure what would happen here.
The race started. My plan was to do intervals 3 minute run: 1 minute walk. The first mile was great, I felt good. I kept telling myself to slow down Mile 1 was 9:51. Feeling good. I wasn't taking the walk breaks, I was just trying to slow my pace to catch a breath. Miles 2-3 were a little harder for some reason. But still good 10:17 and 10:08.
I was thinking and realized that I was under my 11 minute mile goal, so I thought I would see what would happen. Miles 4 and 5 - 9:50 and 9:59...crap under 10...could I finish this race with an overall average of under 10 minute miles???? Mile 6 was a little struggle, I needed to walk a minute and regroup. Mile 6 was 10:13. Crap. so the race was a quarter so 6.55. My Garmin says I did 6.52...so did I do a good job of working the angles???
My final result was 1:05:01...with a 9:54 overall. I felt great after too. I did take a couple days off. I went to spinning last night.
I feel that the FLAT of this race, coupled with the weather and nutrition were all the reasons why. I ate the english muffin, then at 6:45, I ate a honey stinger chocolate waffle, at the 3 mile point I ate half a waffle and at the 6 mile mark, I ate a couple bites. I carried water with me so I didn't need to stop at the water stations.
As always M3SSports rocks a race. Great job!! I have 2 more races schedules OSU 4 miler and I am pretty sure the Hot Chocolate 15k. Can;'t wait!!!