Well, two weeks after the trail half marathon insert another half marathon. Not only did I sign up for the half, but I’d agreed to pace the 1:45 group. I love pacing, it’s so rewarding and I’ve done it multiple times for Team In Training at the Myrtle Beach Marathon. I’d done this race a couple years ago almost as a whim and busted out a 1:43 so I thought 1:45 was beyond doable to pace. Insert over reaching. 3 weeks prior I did a little tester run that didn’t quite feel as easy as it should have, the same week I found out my thyroid was off so I opted to find a replacement for the 1:45 pace group. I’m glad I did, b/c low and behold I happened to get into a doctor’s appointment the week of the race that involved a cervical neck nerve ablation. Just google it, too much to explain:)
Going into the race the week of it was questionable until the day prior on whether I’d be racing or not due to the procedure I had. I’d already registered though, and it’s in our hometown, on the trails I stomp weekly, and I love it! Jeremey Davis and Setup Events always do a stellar job, there are a ton of friends that are always racing and volunteering so the crowd support is phenomenal. Did I mention its a net loss in elevation…that’s pretty sweet to.
I started the race trying to take the first 7 miles easier as I’d had no expectations for this race but if I felt good I wanted to try to negative split it. The last 2 miles is uphill which I knew meant I’d have to pace myself. The first mile is always fast for me, I backed it down a little knocking mile after mile out but varying by a good 15 seconds on my speed per mile. I talked to a few people along the way, thanked every volunteer, and just hoped at mile 7 I could step things up. Try not to get caught up in others races, this is what I kept telling myself. Run your own race. Mile 7 came, and I felt good so I tried to pick up the effort a little. I mean, I was honestly suprised, the only run I’d done in two weeks outside of the other race was the day before just to test things out. My hamstrings were a little tight, but all in all I couldn’t complain. The miles came and went, the time each mile would be a little disappointing considering the effort but each mile 7 and after was CONSISTENT which I’ll take over yo yo anyday. I stuck to my nutrition, tried to keep my upper body relaxed, and most of all smiled. Even up the last two miles I was happy to be there. I ended up finishing in 1:49, and was pleased all things considered.
Major thanks to my hometown of Greenville, if people aren’t racing they are volunteering and cheering everyone along the way. The crowd support, and friends truly made my day and were the REASON I RACED. There aren’t many races where each and every mile you could be greeted by someone you know reminding you to dig deep. Thank you to all of you, you carried me on cloud 9 that day. Thanks again to the Pastore’s as they helped w/the point to point travel and enabled me to race home to the fam w/o any wait at all. Two weeks of racing w/friends leads to a very spoiled girl. The racing season is officially in swing w/the next two weeks starting triathlon racing, may the force be with me (that’s for you Susan Dupont). Major props to the peeps who help make my racing happen, Atlanta Bread Co. @ Cherrydale, Supercuts (owner Mary Biebel placed in her age group the same day!!!), Trisports, Powerbar, and Barracuda. You guys rock!
