Yesterday was the last race in the distance series. We did a 20K, 25K, and finally the 30K. All of the races were held on Fort Story with a course of rolling hills. Yesterday, we got the added pleasure of 17mph winds. My favorite! I didn't run as fast as the first race, or as conservative as the second. I think I found what I will most likely run for the marathon. I was strong and consistent for the full 18.6 miles. I walked quickly through the water stops. My finish time was 2:27:28, averaging a 7:54 pace. Pretty good considering hills and wind. It was a confidence builder because on our Saturday long runs, we stop every 5 miles or so to drink and stretch, and we stop our watches. I was a bit worried that I wouldn't be able to hold pace for that long without the breaks.
Here's the thing that I am struggling with now: I would love to do a 3:30, or to be honest, a 3:29:59 to break a 3:30. According to the race calculators, based on my previous races, that should be a very reasonable goal. I think it will be close, and could very easily be a 3:35. A 3:30 looks like an 8 minutes pace, but it really isn't. No one runs the entire time, unless your Kenyan. Most people have to walk through the water stops and take time to Gu. That means that I need to hold about a 7:50 to give me that break time. I know 5 minutes doesn't look like any big deal, but I would have shit talking rights for a long time to be able to say that I broke 3:30 (and at 42, no less).
I have trained so hard, but my year of training hard is coming to an end quickly. We move in only 4 months and go back to a life that will make it difficult if not impossible to train like this. I hope to always have a race to train for; but I most likely will not be able to train for the speed like now. This is certainly not my last marathon; however, I am getting older. I certainly don't feel old, and I run faster than a lot of guys out there. However, after this next tour, I will enter the next age group. I do not know of 45 year olds that are making PRs. The goal is to run forever and at some point you have to know that you are going to get slower. I already need more recovery time and I am a high risk for injury. I really think that will be OK for me as long as I know that I took advantage of this opportunity and I did the best I could. And damnit, I want it to be 3:29.
I know there are things you can control and things you can't. I have done the training, but I can't control the weather. I could do everything right and wake up sick or to a morning of driving rain and wind. At some point I have to give it up and realize it will be what it will be.
Wow, to read back over this it sounds pretty down. I'm not, I actually feel pretty strong, just reflective.
By the way, I placed 4th Woman Overall and first Master's Woman in the distance series combined results.
The difference between people who “always” workout and those that don’t is the fit people accept that they will always be in a state of “coming back.” Life will get in the way of your fitness strives. Accept it and make today the day you come back…again.
Training
Running Clothes
Running Gadgets
Paris Half Marathon
Shelly, Bobbi, V, Delores
V and son after Berlin Marathon
Bobbi and V in Prague
Back then
Back when we were together...I miss my friends! (Christy, V, E, Aura Lee & Angie)
Army Wives
Angie, Christy, V, Aura Lee and E
Cathy and Angie
Christy & V During 2007 Army Ten--Miler
5 comments:
What's the terrain like for the marathon? Flat? Windy? (I know you can't always predict this, but you can count on wind in certain places, like the beach or Kansas.) Hopefully it's early enough in the year that it won't be hot yet.
I think you can do the sub 3:30. Your training is good and you should have the confidence after the distance series.
I read something that said no matter what age or fitness level you start at, a person can expect to improve and beat PRs for 10 years and that's it. I don't know if that's true or not, but it sounds reasonable.
Even if you're not beating PRs anymore, or even racing, maybe you can shift goals from speed to new experiences. That's my goal at some point. Do a bi- or tri-, maybe a trail race, maybe an ultra (you're crazy enough for that, right?), or do a marathon on each continent (I hear the Antarctica one is a doozy), etc.
I'm looking forward to getting back on the road, but I know the next year won't be record-setting. A new baby, 3 kids, and husband deployed (not to mention any "required" duties related to my husband's job)--these don't bode well for a lot of training time. I'm hoping to build up endurance and some distance, have fun with some local races, then work on speed after the deployment. We'll see how it goes.
I'm rooting for you!
I just read this in Triathlete but think it pertains to marathons as well. The article was on 10 tips for navigating your way through the mental minefield.
"When it gets tough remind yourself that you are the one who put yourself in the race. No one forced it upon you. Find that place within yourself that is grateful to be alive and fit enough to even consider a triathlon. For every one of you, there are millions who dare not dream such a grand adventure for their lives."
I really like that...
I also agree with E, new challenges always pop up. After my dad wrecked his knees running it was on to racewalking, after he wrecked his hamstrings it was on to biking. He loves turning older... he isn't getting faster but there are always age groups to win and new records to be set. And according to RunnersWorld this month we get better at endurance as we age.
But until you reach the rip old age of 75 and have to start slowing down, go out there and kick some ass because we all believe in you.
Wow, you are super speedy!!
Personally, I can't wait to move up a few age groups. I am nowhere near being even remotely fast in my current one... so my plan is to keep running until all the others have given up and there is no one left to compete with :) The older you get, the fewer people in your age group, the better chance you have of winning.
(Silly thinking I know).
V- you amaze me! I only hope that I can do half the things you do when I am 42! :0)
E, they say the course is flat and fast...unless there is wind. So far, I have not had a training run down there that didn't have wind. The question shoudl be how hard, not if.
I agree with the 10 year thing. I started at 35, so I am supposed to have 3 more years of PRs. With command again, a senior in high school and another deployment, this may be my best year.
I will certainly look for more challenges. I will run another marathon. El Paso offers one in March. I would still like to do a team tri. I also want to get my bike tuned up with this next move.
Rachel, I have always been my worst enemy. I push myself harder than anyone else would. I think I will be able to run for many years to come; I will just have to slow down and enjoy it more. The greater endurance thing is absolutely true. I am much more comfortable with distance as I age. And women are better at distance than men.
Laura, it is fun to move up in age groups. There are fewer runners; however they are more serious about their training. The fastest semi-recreational runners in the world are 35-39 women with 40-44 women right on their asses. By the way, they are also more comfortable with themselves and are especially supportive even if they are trying with no secrets to beat you.
Roxxi, the admiration is mutual.
I really appreciate you guys. This blog is a great outlet for me and your support is very special. Thanks for taking the time to tell me that you believe in me!
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