Believe to Achieve

Woke several times during the night and was wondering what the "pitter patter" was all about and then it started POURING.  This was 4am so I was pretty sure the race would be a wet one.  Called Melanie and she didn't even know it was raining (7:30am).  Must be her condo versus my trailer : D.  Oh and her MELATONIN!!  Need to try some.  Anyway, Kim picked me up with Jane and then we drove to pick up Melanie.  Got there about 8:25am.  Ran to the start from the other side of the freeway.  I was alone as the other three went in to the hotel to pee again.  I warmed up alone (2.5 miles, 8:21 AP) and pretty much didn't see them again until 2 minutes before the start.  I looked around frantically for a private place to pee outside but nothing.  Dang..bladder uncomfortable.  Pretty much ran the entire race feeling like I had to pee.  Quite annoying and feel it slowed me down during the race as I often thought about stopping somewhere but it was rural and there was nothing private.  Sorry TMI.  Moving forward, I lined up and met for the first time Walter (from the blog, who said he really doesn't blog much any more) and another guy holding the 1:30 pace sign.  I think his name was Shawn.  I stuck with them and honestly thought they were going way too easy the first five miles (BUT IS NECESSARY).   After talking with Walter on and off for the first 4.5 miles I began to drift from them at mile five and began to run with this old guy (turned out he was 58, looked older).  He quoted elevation for each mile as we came upon different parts of the course.  It was entertaining.  He was very cheerful and upbeat.  I felt extremely good.  Probably from starting out so conservatively.  I had been worried about my 1/2 marathon fitness since I have only been doing short speedwork with my longest one (finally) being last Tuesday of 3 x 2 milers.  All the others were 3 to 4 miles.  The old chap chatted away all the way up this long hill.  I honestly didn't even feel like we were going up hill (thanks TM!!).   When we got to the top I flew down the other side and cranked out a 6:19 mile which panicked me a bit and then we were on trail that was soaked with water and I became nervous about slipping with running fast so the next mile was a 6:35.  It wasn't downhill like the last mile either.  Rolling.  I had left the old guy behind but then suddenly there he was--- again quoting elevation etc...I at that time was listening to my music (I had pretty much kept it low and off at times the first 6.5 miles).  But when he started talking about elevation again I told him politely "I can't talk right now".  Now many of you who know me know very well how much I like to talk during runs. This behavior was VERY new to me.  I decided that in order to get to my goals, I am going to have to be quiet and focus.  I felt bad for saying that and ended up following about 20 paces behind him and two others he started running with.  He found me after the race and wanted to apologize.  I told him "no worries" it had nothing to do with him but with my strategy this year.  I need to focus.  I told him I am very much a talker when I run but I need to not talk to reach some of my goals this year" .  We exchanged a few stories and we understood each other.  He is a very kind man.  I came in 6 seconds behind him.  I wonder if I should have just talked?????  I wasn't out of breath ever in this race.  Mainly it was my lower back and my left hamstring that was a little achy.  I need to get to the last two miles and KNOW FULL WELL I HAVE GAS IN THE TANK AND BURN IT UP AND NOT WORRY I MIGHT CRASH ON THE GROUND!  I finished feeling like I could very well have done two 6:30 miles the last two.  It is a mental game I tell myself.  I worry I won't have gas or I will fall to the ground and then have to start walking.  I am disappointed that I didn't push myself to the point where  I was giving my all.  Mt. Nebo I felt that way.  Bryce Canyon I felt that way.  But here....NOPE.  I had a lot left and when the finish line became visible it was too late but don't get me wrong I am VERY happy with this race for me.  This felt VERY controlled, like a MP Tempo run, SERIOUSLY!!!  So YAY!!  Quite glad : DDDDDD

From memory (will change if I have them incorrect)-- 7:00, 6:54, 6:56, 6:43, 6:50, 7:02 (uphill), 6:56 (uphill), 6:19 (downhill), 6:35  (short downhill), 6:42, 6:53 (uphill), 6:47, 6:37, 0.1  --  5:31!!!   CD 2.5 miles in the pouring rain-- 8:20 AP.  Waited for the awards in the pouring rain.  Ate some rolls with cinnamon butter, frozen yogurt, two frosted (small) cookies and chocolate milk, two cups.  Figured I deserved all of it for a great 18 miler.