Race Day Humility

I don't know why this is but I am a horrible race day performer. Rarely do I actually do what I think I am gonna do. I either go out to fast and burnout, or I go out too slow and feel like I didn't do what I could...I get really nervous for some reason. ha! I am laughing at myself as I type because it is truly ridiculous.  Ask my sisters how I was before the marathon...  I was all calm and cool until like 20 minutes before the race and then they could both see the anxiety in my eyes. It is bizarre.

I found a stranger to take my before race photo. It was already super hot at 6:30 in the morning!

Chewy Sprees.... my pre-race fuel. Not sure if it is the best choice but it does give me a great sugar high.  It is just too bad I burned through all the sugar in my first mile. Apparently when you want to run an overall 7:38 pace for 6 miles your first mile should most likely be slower then a 7:15 WHOOPS.

They did have a 5k that started the same time as the 10k and never in my life have I been more tempted to just turn around do the 5k.  ;)

Anywhoo, so as for a recap on last Saturdays 10k this is how it went down.  I started to fast, then pooped myself out. So much so that I walked a lot. Now, as someone who typically runs lots of miles 6.2 miles doesn't seem to far. It seems like regardless of how fast or burnt out I am feeling you'd think I would at least keep running the entire time. NOPE.

My goal time: 47:30
My Actual time: 52:10

So anyways, I finished the race, had a melt down, licked the salt in my wounds, (literally, it was frickin HOT out) and then got over it. Live and learn I suppose. I apparently will always be livin' and learnin' because this happens to me more often then not. I also realize that staying frustrated about a race is a waste of time. I think allowing yourself to just feel disappointed or frustrated is good but then just move on. Dwelling on things doesn't do anybody any good. I am sure of it.

I do realize not all of my races are like this. I had a great marathon, I did do the Bolder boulder 10k pretty well and feel like I am getting stronger as a runner. But these times just happen and if they didn't life would be boring I am sure. Back to the drawing board we go.

So whats on the agenda so far this week:

Today:  Run 5 Miles with 3.5@ 7:30 pace. Then swim at least a 2000m distance. (P90X Ab ripper)

Tuesday: Running Club, 6x 600/200's. 600 @ 3k pace with last 200 @ mile pace with 90% recovery and Barbell class

Wednesday: Practice the Sprint Tri. We live right next door to the course so a few friends and myself will swim, ride and run an an easy pace to see how it all feels.

I am hoping these things help me feel ready for my Tri in 2 weeks =)

So what is on your schedule this week?

Does anyone out there actual preform well consistently on race day?
- me, obviously not. But I do know a few girls at running club that tend to always come in right around what they are thinking. Pretty amazing I say.

Does anyone else Melt Down?
- I am a big reactor. Although melt downs happen to me they aren't always good indicators of how I am actually feeling. I can melt down and really only be feeling kind of frustrated but regardless..... my melt downs are inevitable.

Who else likes to cross train and what do you do?
I am really liking the swimming and biking....

10k recap and no more hair.

 I was feeling pretty good about the race, my legs were a little tight from doing a P90X legs work out 2 days before but nothing that I couldn't manage.  The weather was nice but getting more hot and humid  by the minute.  As I was waiting in my corral I had made up my mind that this race was for fitness.  To see where I really truly am at and what I need to achieve during my next training season.  Yes in the back of my mind I was thinking 47:25 from the book Run Less Run Faster but I kind of new that it might be a little out of my reach but a good goal to strive for.

According to my garmin
6.32 miles @ 49:44
Splits
1-7:57
2-7:20
3-7:57
4-8:27
5-7:52
6-7:48
.32-7:25

Ok so I was far off from my 47:25 but I still felt good.  After not running a serious all out race for an entire year I was happy with what I did do.  During mile 4 I slowed for water, it was so hot and humid that I desperately wanted a drink.  I was not the only person thinking that, so was everyone else!  The race was crowded and I could not run through the water station, there were just too many people doing the same thing so that slowed me down. 

When the race began I decided that I was only going to look at my watch at every mile.  I don't like looking all the time, it just messes with my head.  Also during the race I kept thinking about the Great Migration in Africa and the running of the bulls. As I could see the sea of people all running around me and in front of me I kept thinking..... Man we look like a bunch of animals running from something lol!

Anyways, yes I could factor in it was hot, humid, my legs were sore the course was hilly, too many people, yada yada yada but the fact is that is what racing is all about.  Taking the elements in to see what kind of outcome you can achieve.  Every race day is different.   Yes I may not be the fastest but after my 2 weeks of speed work I feel pretty good!!  Woohoo!!

Now I get my one week rest in Myrtle Beach with my sister Heather before my NYC training begins.

Because the race was in Central park Scott and I ate at Good Enough to Eat on the Upper Westside after.  It was one of our favorite places when we lived up there.

The breakfast of champions!

After we were done stuffing our faces we headed to the East River Park just a block from where we live in Brooklyn to get some sun.  It was only 10:30 and already a scorcher!

AND THEN...... at 2:15 I cut ALL my hair off!  So we went into town to celebrate with a little frozen yogurt from my favorite place 16 handles! I had the pink grapefruit and pina-colada flavors with mochi, shredded coconut, banana and yogurt chips.  It was just so so good!

Hope you guys have a great Sunday!

XX
Sarah

Hair before.....

My 10k is this morning.   I woke up at 5:30 even though my alarm was not set till 6:00.  Does this ever happen to you?  During the week I get up at 5:30 so when the weekend hits my body doesn't want to sleep in.  Lameness....

This week I came up with a new quick recipe that was so so good!
Whole Wheat English Muffin
Lite Laughing Cow Cheese Triangle
Two Eggs Overeasy
Prosciutto (good quality, Italian)
Arugala

Salt and Pepper to taste

I eat the muffins open face instead of a sandwich.  I like to cut into it and the let the yoke break open.  So fast and delicious.

I have been busy working on my Spring 2012 collection.  This is me posing (hahaha) for one of my favorite looks!  I am making a weird face cuz I'm cool like that!

Last night we ate at one of my favorite pizza places, Motorino.  I had Scott take a picture of my because that was my last night with LONG hair!  Yep, that's right.....Heather is on a kick with cutting hair and has convinced me to cut mine off!  Growing up I always had short hair, I mean it does grow back out, right?!  The reason I am hesitant is that if I get mine cut at my 2:15 appointment today I will be getting mine much much shorter than Heather's.  I don't brush my hair usually and I only wash it once or twice a week so it is in bad condition. Which means it really should be cut off.  We will see....

Any fun weekend plans?

Wish me luck on my 10k!  I will be wearing the same thing I wore for my marathon because I love the outfit so much! Will recap later.

Oh and Scott said he was going to come! Woohoo! He never comes to my races because they are so early but I guess he wants to today (actually he is really just dropping me off and heading to the gym and will be back to pick me up) but that's ok because as long as I have a ride and I don't have to take the train :)

XX

Sarah

Bolder Boulder Run down

Today I ran the bestest 10k in the world.  The Bolder Boulder.  Over 55000 people run this puppy and it includes a super fast jet flyover and some crazy parachuters that come and land right in Folsom Field.  It also includes some amazingly fast professional runners from all over the world. It really makes me happy that I can participate.  Here are some photo ops and the breakdown.

Some of my Running Bestest Buds

 Me and my hubs.. he of course beat me coming in at 46:03 with NO TRAINING AT ALL. Men... seriously. I am going to have to keep getting faster until I can beat him. Although, I did smoke him on our last 1/2.

Here is the breakdown:

PreRace dinner: Slow roasted pulled pork with homemade BBQ sauce and cole slaw. DELICIOUS. Fruit, some amazing baked beans and some chocolate cake.  YUM.

Breakfast: Combo of Frosted Mini Wheats, Grape Nuts cereal with Shot bloks about 1/2 before the race.

Timing:
I turned off my average mile pace and so my watch never ever kept the splits! So all I have is the time off of the website. (next time I will not do this... )


My garmin did say 6.29 Miles. Also, according to there website I ran a 48:45 and my watch said 48:46... so there ya go! The official time is better and I'll take it =)

Mile Splits:
7:49
7:49
8:07-(I wish I would have had my avg mile pace here, I would have gone faster I am sure...... I only had total overall pace and instant pace... next time I know better I suppose)
7:56
7:44
7:40

So I am happy although that third mile I would have wanted under 8 for sure, and I do feel like I would have pushed it a little more in those middle miles if I actually knew what my average pace was per mile instead of overall. I kept thinking, well my overall pace says like 7:50 so I guess I am doing ok....I know I will pick it up on that downhill mile. For those of you who don't know mile 4-5 is totally downhill. I am actually surprised that my last mile was faster because of that 4th mile downhill.  Oh well, I am not complaining. =)

The other thing that was uber special about this race is that fact that my parents, brother and niece all ran/walked it as well.  Nothing is more fun then watching your family members conquer something like this.  YAY for my family. We rule.

Here is my AMAZING FAMILY! I hope we can all do it again together.... hmmm the Disney Marathon.... hint hint.

Happy Memorial Day All - Jen