If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again…

Last Saturday I ran a not so good race.  I finished feeling defeated, disappointed and to be honest I was angry.  Angry at myself.  I know I PR’d by a few seconds but I did not run a good race mentally or physically.  I knew I could do better.  I made a last minute decision that evening to register for a race that was less than a week away.  Best decision ever.

I spent most of this past week reflecting on the mistakes I made last week and thinking about what I would do differently a second time around.   The biggest change would be my pace.  I would not shoot for a 7 minute pace.  I tried that and it was a disaster.  One day I will be ready for that pace but I am not quite there.  I decided before the race that I would pace at a 7:15.  I also prayed that I would have a strong and positive attitude the entire race. I would not let myself feel defeated.

Last night I got all my race gear together.  I also got the kids clothes ready, jackets and snacks.  We would be leaving at 6 am and bringing all the kids with us so it was going to be an early morning.  I woke up a few times in the night but for the most part I slept pretty good.  I fed Ashton around 4:30 but was able to fall back asleep for a bit.  The kids did great getting up in the morning and we made it to Wynne by a little after 7.  I picked up my tag and chip and ran a mile warm-up.  I am not a huge fan of the pre-race morning nerves.  However, I think I’m getting a little used to it.  This morning made my 4th race in the past 5 weeks.  Yeah, I kind of went overboard in the race department lately.  Apparently, that is another result of a stress fracture.  Race registration overload. 

Anyway, back to this morning’s race… The marathoners and half-marathoners all lined up and started together.  Everyone started based on their predicted finish times.  When the gun went off I heard one of the men running in the marathon say to a friend, “These are the most important 5 minutes of the whole race.” Not sure if I completely agree with that statement but there is a lot of truth to it.  How you start is very important.  I learned that the hard way last week. I tried to focus on finding my pace.

Mile 1- 7:15.  Perfect pace.  When I saw this split I smiled and knew I was going to nail it. 
Mile 2- 7:10. A little faster than I wanted but it was still within 5 seconds of my target pace so it would work.
Mile 3- 7:12
Mile 4- 7:13
Mile 5- 7:14
Mile 6- 7:20.  I knew this would be a little slower and I was relieved when I saw that it was only a 7:20.  This mile had the biggest incline and the turn-around point for all the half-marathoners.
Mile 7- 7:18
Mile 8- 7:09
Mile 9- 7:17.  My friend and I parted ways at this point.  I felt our pace slipping a little and I wanted to push ahead. I knew she would be able to make her goal time just fine.
Mile 10- 7:13. I had waited so long for the last 5K.
Mile 11- 7:13
Mile 12- 7:03.  There was a really nice downhill this mile and I just coasted down started to kick it in.
Mile 13- 6:38.  My last mile never even saw the 7’s.  I was moving! Did I have too much kick left? It sure felt good.  I even passed one guy I had been following the past 6 miles. Nice!
Mile 13.19- 1:14 (6:29 min. avg.).  The finish was on the track of the Wynne High School.  I LOVE finishing races on a track.  It reminds me of my high school track days. 🙂 I knew I had just crushed my PR and I had a strong, positive attitude the entire race.  Thank you, God!!!

TOTAL TIME: 1:34:34 (unofficial) for 13.19 miles
7:10 avg. pace

Finishing the race and setting my new PR for the Half!

I was the 11th finisher overall and the 2nd female finisher.  After the race I showered and there was a lunch buffet prepared for runners and their families in the gym.  Very nice! The awards program followed and I received the biggest trophy I have ever won in my life.  I am not exaggerating.  It’s ginormous!

I was SO thankful to have John and the kids there today.  I know it’s a lot of work getting everyone together to come but it means so much to see them there cheering me in as I come in and I have such a supportive husband who makes it possible for me to do what I love.

me and my love

How cute is this little guy?! Note the lovely pink blanket. I promise that is Anna’s but he does not seem to mind!

Me with Kem.  We came in 2nd and 3rd female overall.  Notice Kem’s very cool Boston jacket!