I felt really good racing this weekend. Ever since I ran the Detroit full in October, I haven't been on a training plan and have just been running for fun with friends. I've been running 3-4 times a week with 10-14 miles on Saturdays since then, just for fun and I LOVE IT!
When I PR'd at Rock CF three weeks ago, it felt great and I didn't feel like i was going to die at the end of the race. I had a little bit left in the tank. I took 11 mins of my half time at that race. I was originally not going to run the Martian half so I could focus on doing well at the Let's Move half in a couple weeks. Secretly, I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to run another good race like I had at Rock CF, so I didn't want to bother, or ever worse, run slower...
So, I'm glad I went out there and kicked Martian's butt! I felt great the entire time, focused on the people I knew on the course - on the out and back part - and just felt fabulous. I didn't start focusing on my own race until mile 9 and when I passed a fast friend of mine, I knew I was in good shape.
I didn't want to get in my own head though, so I just kept going along, talking to various runners on the course. I never felt tired, sore, or out of breath during the race. My garmin was showing between 9:30-10:15 instant pace and I was just rolling with it. It sounds so crazy, but this 10 min PR just happened. Kinda out of nowhere.
So now I've got to thinking... if I can take 11 mins off my half time easily and then take another 10 mins off three weeks later on accident, what can I do if I actually focus on a goal and go for it?
Am I afraid of falling short? Yes. But couldn't it be awesome? YES. So, I'll run my next half for fun; it's in my home town anyway :)
Then focus on a sub-2 hour half for the Dexter-Ann Arbor in June.
1) Am I crazy? It'll be my first time-goal race I've ever run... I may have created an animal!
2) How do you guys do it?
3) Do you set lofty goals each race?
Dexter Ann Arbor is a beautiful course. Time goals are scary, cause you don't want to set yourself up to be disapointed. A tiered-goal wokrs, one ultimate goal, antoher still kick-butt acceptable goal,and maybe one more not related to time.
ReplyDeleteFor me, as long as I don't forget WHY I'm running, time goals work wonders. But when I'm more concerned about my pace than I am enjoying the day and the run, I know I need to take a step back. That being said, of course you're not crazy! You've made some awesome time improvements and you're growing stronger and stronger with each race and long run. Sub 2 is totally within reach!
ReplyDeleteI need to go sub-2 as well...run it with me!
ReplyDeleteSlow your roll Speedy! Dexter-Ann Arbor is a whole different animal. I agree with Mark and don't set yourself up for disappointment. Your training will dictate performance. Have fun with it.....
ReplyDeleteI usually have broad sweeping goals for a running season. Then when a race gets closer, I decide whether I want to run that race for time, or not. Lately, My runs have been been more in the "feel good and run happy" mode, which strangely seems to net me great times. Don;t forget that the way you describe how you got this point was to "not worry about my race till mile 9." There is something to be said for just going out and running it.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Ken. I have not run D2AA but you have rolling hills and its in June. I also do what mark does - several goals a, b, c goals. Better chance for sub 2 in cooler weather. Think you could do it in the Clem?
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