Racing to the 2013 Boston Marathon

So I've been reviewing my races so far this year and trying not have a panic attack about how I might perform at the Boston Marathon.

I've been much slower and that's concerning.

Here's a breakdown (2013 vs 2012):

New Year's Day 5K

23:10 vs 23:09

(OK, this one was close.)

Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge (1/2 Marathon on Saturday & Marathon on Sunday)

(5:50:05) 1:48:17 & 4:01:49 vs (5:46:29) 1:50:22 & 3:56:07

(It was HOT this year so that probably didn't help. And, I probably ran the half too fast. Oh well!)



Princess Half Marathon

1:44:09 vs 1:40:05

(Once again, it was MUCH hotter this year than last year, so that could be part of it. The good news, Malinda and I finished 1st in sister / sister team category!)



Martha Jefferson 8K

37:58 vs 37:08

(Can't really explain this away with weather because it was nice and cool. At least I came in 2nd in AG, was 4th last year. And there was no one near me at the end. Last year I was passed by two women within feet of the finish line, ouch!)

Ten Miler (2013 Charlottesville / 2012 Cherry Blossom)

1:18:14 vs 1:12:26

(The Cville course is notoriously hilly instead of flat like Cherry Blossom so I can't really compare those two races, can I? I just wanted to run my 3rd fastest 10-mile race and I did that by nearly a minute. And, at least I came in 3rd in my AG!)



So what's my problem?!?

Last year was AMAZING and I can't really hope to have success like that consistently.

I just wonder if I should continue to panic or CHILL OUT... if there's a reason for this that I can fix or if it's just a phase?

Is it because I weigh a little more than I did last year at this time (could 5-7 lbs, could that make that a huge difference?!?) or have I been holding myself back in these races because I know the big prize - BOSTON - is just mere months or weeks away?


I definitely knew that I wasn't trying for a PR in any of these races, because it was a race for "fun" and training or because of the forecast or because within the first mile when I just wasn't feeling it. So instead, when appropriate, I did my best to run as close to my ideal marathon pace (7:55 - 8:00) and run comfortably hard rather than push it and constantly check my watch.

Some people might say I race too much, but I've actually raced LESS so far this year.

In the 5 weeks between my Princess Half Marathon PR and Cherry Blossom 10 Miler PR last year, I also ran a 4 miler, 8K, 1 mile, and 5K in between. And I PRd in those distances, too!

This year, I had 3 weeks between the Princess Half Marathon and the Charlottesville10 Miler and I only raced the Martha Jefferson 8K in between.

Oh well, at least I'm having fun while I'm running.
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All the anxiety doesn't set in until I'm resting. :)

ACCEPTANCE: The Key to Enjoying Your Running & Racing

So, I ran the Martha Jefferson 8K Run 42 seconds slower than last year and 77 seconds slower than my goal time, but I'm trying to accept this performance.

Acceptance is key. 

I can be disappointed, but I refuse to feel like failure or dwell on the negative for too long.

As I mentioned in my last post "ENJOY your running AND your racing", you can't PR in every race and this is a challenging and hilly course.

I did the best I could on this day and on this course. I didn't go out too fast, in fact, my first three .5 mile splits were almost identical to last year, but I just couldn't maintain the pace after 2 miles.

I'm probably not properly recovered from my half PR 13 days ago. A sleepless night (my son was sick) and a late babysitter (full blown anxiety attack for 30 minutes waiting for her to show up!) were added handicaps.

It's important to try to pinpoint any possible negative influences on a race as well as the positive influences. And, on Saturday, it wasn't all bad.

The best part of this race, what kept me motivated despite the grueling hills, were all the amazing, vibrantly cheering volunteers and my running friends on the course saying "Hi" or off the course taking photos (sorry if I didn't smile!).

I love this running town! I'm so lucky to be part of this unique community that is so supportive of each other on race day and every day of training.

Thanks Cville! 

P.S. 

I forgot to mention that the worst part about the race was getting out-kicked steps from the finish line.

The three of us (pictured below) finished within 2 seconds of each other.

Photograph taken by Suzanna Turanyi

Sadly (for me), the woman 2 seconds ahead of me was in my age group, so I placed 4th. Waah!

The woman who beat me by 1 second is someone I've been working with via email on a running related listserv for Cville speedsters, but I didn't know that when she flew past me and I had no chance to respond (that's racing!).

After we finished I gasped, "How old are you?!" hoping she wasn't in my age group. (ha).

She introduced herself and I realized who she was. She told me that I motivated her to push it at the end (right past me!).

So, even though it sucks to "lose" - it actually feels good to help inspire others (to beat me).

I think it was the shirt! ;)