I'm grateful for a good first road race of the year. This was a check of sorts for me to see where I am at and have an idea of where to take my training for the summer. It's not what I had envisioned but there are some great learnings for next time out.
The plan was to run consistent 5:30 pace throughout, not bank any time on the downhill at the start, finish strong with a kick and sneak in under 1:12:00. Everything was going perfect and I had a small pack to run with for the first 6.5 miles. I checked the watch at 10k and it was a PR, which was fun because my training has been solid this year.
Shortly after that my energy level took a big dive and my breathing went out of sorts. I got that cold sweat feeling so I let the pack go, slowed down, took some deep breaths, and picked it back up again. I just didn't feel any better and ended up stopping at the water fountain for 10-15 seconds. I got going again and took a GU but still felt horrible and stopped again just past the underpass.
I got really frustrated at that point and was about ready to call it a day when Dave Taylor came around the corner and said "Let's go!" I guess all it took was a little encouragement because I immediately started to feel better. I ran with Dave until the aide and slowed to down a cup of Gatorade. I then removed all negative thought, focused on good form, and ran it in.
My pace dropped right back down to where I wanted it and I came within 30 seconds of catching the group I fell off of earlier. I closed the last 5k really well. I felt really good at the end and was grateful to muster a kick and a smile in the chute.
Finished 11th in 1:14:46, 2nd in 35-39 behind Dr. Poulsen :).
My dinner the night before and breakfast the morning of will be adjusted next time as will the workouts leading into the next half I run in 6 weeks. Excited to get back out and run stronger. So fun to catch up and race with everyone again. Cooled down 6 with Justin and Fritz. It was a great day.
-Brandon-
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