Saturday, October 13, 2012

Ten for Texas


Just a quick recap of this mornings adventure to the Woodlands for my Ten for Texas 10 miler (the names a bit of a giveaway right?!) 
I did, as predicted PR. But as this was my first ever 10 mile race that only required a finish. 

The plan was to start off at around 6:40-6:45 pace and then after 3/4 miles pick it up to 6:30-6:25. I didn't manage that pace, here are my splits:

6:37, 6:40, 6:49, 6:45, 6:45, 6:46, 6:59, 7:06, 6:42, 6:45 and 20 seconds for the extra 0.06 my garmin registered (I find it second nature to 'run the tangents' growing up running on country roads this was simply known as 'run the shortest route possible without getting hit by a car'. 
So an official time of 68:17.

So LOTS of 6:45s and then a couple of really rough miles in which I felt every ounce of energy exit my legs and be replaced with cement! But around the 8 mile mark I got through it and was able to push on again, which was nice. I felt like I was climbing from around the 2nd mile all the way until just after the 5th. I kept telling myself 'what goes up...' as the start and finish were virtually the same place but my rear end complained quite a lot the whole way back! 
I did feel strong in this run (apart from those 2 miles) it's not the time I hoped for, well I didn't really know what to expect but I'm semi happy with how it went. 
I tried to catch a female runner for miles and eventually got her with 0.7 to go and then had to push to the end as I could hear her try to get back to me. That was not fun but hearing my kids shout 'GO MUMMY' as I rounded the last bend was the best and I held her off. My 'victory' was short lived, we tied on chip time 68:17.4! I don't mind sharing the result with her, she worked hard for it too! 

I was 38th overall, 11th female and 2nd in my AG. I managed to grab my trophy before we had to leave to get home for soccer. 
I'm definitely making progress but there's still a long way to go. I need to keep working hard and am looking forward to getting some benefit from big miles when I EVENTUALLY get to do them (yes I am impatient as ever). 
I also need to lose weight, nothing drastic but I know I'm heavier than I ought to be (who needs to carry any extra round 26.2 miles?!) I have just dropped 5 lbs recently by cutting out my 'post kids to bed snackathon' that I'd throw myself every evening in celebration of making it through another day ;) so will stick with that for a little while longer to maybe drop around 5 more. I don't like feeling too thin, that's only ever happened to me once before when I was 16 and the 1st thing my new coach did was put me on a diet. I could only lose 7 lbs but looked and felt awful, so WEAK and like a bag of bones, my running also turned to ****! I have zero intention of EVER returning there, I am all about being strong and healthy. 

I have 10 miles recovery tomorrow and my biggest week milage wise with 74 then it's back to the dreaded taper in preparation for The Houston Half on the 28th of October. 

I had my merry band with me today so my hubbie snapped some shots (actually he took 3 zillion pictures) here are just a few, well quite a lot actually!

 Where is she?



 Patiently waiting on me whilst I was telling myself the harder I pushed the sooner I'd see them!



So close! 



 She's just out of shot but I am determined not to be caught in this shot!



 I did not look like this during miles 7 and 8! 



My fellow 68:17.4 friend!  



 Really wanting to collapse on the pavement here but trying to be enthusiastic for the kids!



A drawing for me! 



 Over the photographer now.....!



Wardrobe change (1st and possibly only time in Lulu Lemon changing room!) Texting Doug, H and N my result. H, N and I harass each other on race days for instant results so I couldn't disappoint them! 



38th overall 



Cheesy! 



 Cheesier! 

10 comments:

  1. Great job!! That was a really solid run and the pictures are awesome. Congrats!!!

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    1. That's how I feel about it, 'solid'. Nothing outstanding but not weak either! I ran a half back in Dec at the same pace and on paper I should be disappointed at the amount of work between then and now with no apparent progress but I know I'm a WAY better runner now. Different course and way different temperature/humidity meant it was a solid run. Just got to keep chipping away at it!

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  2. Way to go! It was tough running. I ran it as well...not nearly as fast as you. I am hoping the humidity goes away and stays away for a while. Good luck with your half!

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    1. These past couple of mornings have been so nice and cool, would have been nice for Sunday! Thanks and well done on toughing it out, I though it was a good race, so organized. Yes, lets wish that humidity away!!!!!

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  3. That's a BIG smile on your face holding that trophy! Congrats to you for an excellent race. I am enjoying your writing voice and laughed about the post-kids-to-bed-snackfest. I have those too. haha.

    Have a great BIG week! Love the photos. You have great form!

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    1. My 'snackfest' used to include alcohol of some description too but something weird has happened to me and I'm currently finding the thought of booze gross?!?! My husband is very sad to be going solo on these snackathons but he is soldiering on ;) I'm kind of surprised by how happy I am with the result, maybe because I feel so much stronger every time I race. I am in envy of all those marathoners thighs I see, I need to get me some muscle!!!!

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  4. I agree with Erin, great pictures! Congrats on AG award. I know that race is pretty competitive. I absolutely LOVE the 15K and 10 mile distances. It's really a shame that there aren't more of them.

    I also want to say that I'm impressed by all of your TM running. My coach recently asked me some leading questions about the TM (like he wanted me to do workouts on them). I just can NOT enjoy it. Ugh. You are a major rock star for getting the work done on those things. :0

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    1. Thanks, I wish I could run outside more often and may have to start getting up early soon to get the miles in as there are only so many 12 milers I can stand on the thing! I do love the faster stuff on it though, I feel like it does the thinking for me, punch the pace in and no choice but to do it or you fall off the back and that would be embarrassing :D
      Looking forward to hearing about your next race, whats in the pipeline?

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  5. Wow, way to go!! So that's where all the speedy runners were on Sunday... :) You probably would have been in the top 3 women at the Space City run. Amazing pace, I am in awe!

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    1. I thought about doing that one as I knew it would be FLAT and I love a flat race! But opted for the Woodlands, it was a nice race, I'd recommend it but further for you to travel to I think. Maybe get to meet you at run girl half in Dec!

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