I had a PR today by two minutes! And I broke the 8:17 mile pace barrier!! I didn't stick around to find out the official results, but my watch read 1:21:50.
The race was held a Lake MacBride State Park. Nine miles of the race was on a well marked dirt trail, which made it possible to check my quarter splits. Every once and a while the dirt trail weaved out of woods and I was able to take in the beautiful lake. I saw several geese and a huge bird of prey--I think is was an eagle. Because the trail was next to the lake, most of the hills weren't super severe.
I met Tina around mile 2 and we ran together for about four miles. (She's training for the marathon in Vegas, Dec 2. We were very well matched. I love how running with someone makes the miles pass quickly.) To save energy for the one big, steep hill at mile 9, I concentrated on trying not to talk too much. Tina was very nice. We encouraged everyone we saw running the other way on the trail. (It was an out and back course.) Our five mile split was around 41 minutes. I wanted very badly to get another 41 minutes on the second five. The next quarter split I timed was 2:13. I wasn't pleased. I wanted to keep the pace near two minute quarters as much as I could. At mile six, Tina told me to keep going and pass the girl ahead of us. After I passed the girl in white and another guy, I could see a three more runners ahead. I kept focusing on closing the distance on these three runners. I had a streak of great splits 2:01, 2:00, 1:58. When I did have a 2:06 split, I didn't get upset. I just tried to pick it up and keep after those three runner. When I hit mile 9's hill, I passed one of the three runners. However, I still wanted to catch up to the other two. The hill was tough, but I pictured myself in fast training runs pushing Will up hill. It worked and it felt great not to be pushing a jogging-stroller! The trickiest part of the hill was the trail's dirt wasn't as packed down as the rest of the course. It was hard to get footing--like running up a sand dune. What a relief it was to hit the pavement for the last half mile! I felt powerful back on the hard road. And I passed the two runners I'd been following since mile 7!
I loved it. I love races. I get nervous every time, but what a rush it is to cross the finish line! | 