(Bra, shorts, sneakers, socks)

The teachings in working and racing by no means cease!  It doesn’t matter what number of races I do, I be taught a bit extra about myself at every one.  I like that about racing, even when the teachings are a bit painful.

Andrew and I stayed up on the Marriott Resort in SLC.   That vitality drink of his was very wanted.

I awakened a bit earlier than 4 a.m. with about 6 hours of sleep which felt fairly good.  I ate a bagel in mattress, took a bathe, after which received prepared.  Andrew and I met my pals within the foyer at 4:25 after which jumped on the bus that picked us up on the lodge.  My time on the Vigor Half-Marathon earned me an elite spot, together with the lodge room/bus pickup.

Lauren and I are driving quite a lot of buses collectively as of late.

We received to the beginning line at 5 a.m.  We used the porta potties, talked with pals, and did a mile w/u @ 10:00.   I made the foolish determination to not put a bag of ice in my bra right now and dump water over my head as an alternative, which was a horrible determination.  I ought to have taken the bag of ice with me.

The race began at 6:01, and I jumped proper into my quickest mile of the day (5:31), however that was additionally as a result of it was the largest drop in elevation throughout that mile.  It was quick.  

At mile 2, I noticed that I used to be actually sizzling already however tried to distract myself with something and all the things that I might.  I stored my miles at round 5:45-5:57 (loads of downhill) and noticed Andrew proper as we received out of the canyon (mile 7?).  As soon as we had been out, I simply stored getting hotter and warmer.  

I targeted on pumping my arms, staying current, and having mini objectives of attending to the subsequent stop-light slightly than pondering I had x extra miles to go.  I feel that’s the key for working with me… as quickly as I take into consideration how a lot additional I’ve to go once I harm, the earlier I need to cease and stop.  If I can deal with doing the NOW (proper foot, left foot, proper, left), I can chip away on the course. 

I felt like I used to be in survival mode for that final 5 miles, however weirdly was having enjoyable too.  I don’t understand how these two issues go collectively, however I really love races even once they harm.

We’ve got to welcome the ache as a result of we all know it’s coming.

I took a caffeinated Maurten proper earlier than the race began, one other at mile 4, after which one other regular Maurten at mile 9.  

The 2 trickiest components of the race had been that I didn’t get water from miles 7 on, and it was arduous.  For some purpose, a couple of of the water tables weren’t there, after which once I lastly got here throughout one at mile 12, a bunch of individuals within the 5k stopped proper in entrance of me, and I twisted my ankle fairly dangerous.  I forgot concerning the water at that time as a result of my ankle was all I used to be excited about.  It didn’t injure me, fortunately!  I don’t assume I’ve ever felt so dehydrated at a race… I solely had water twice at mile 3 & 7 (just one different water desk at .3 however I had dropped the cup there).  The opposite arduous half is while you hit mile 10; you be part of up with the 5k and that was fairly packed for a couple of mile and brought on quite a lot of weaving.  I’ll convey a bottle or two with me subsequent time and put together for the weaving and know that issues will unfold out once more for the final two miles.

Are you aware these end traces that really feel like an optical phantasm?  After I turned the nook to this road and ran in the direction of it, the end line appeared to be farther and farther away.  I used to be fortunate to have Andrew there driving with me after which my coach leaping in and working with me too but it surely felt just like the final .5 mile lasted for 2 miles.  My final mile was 61 seconds slower than my first mile…. positively not one of the simplest ways to race, but it surely occurs:). 

Counting steps for that final stretch additionally helped me to not cease and stroll to the end once I wished to.

They make it straightforward to get your outcomes proper after you end the race.  This race is extremely organized from begin to end (minus the water mishap).   Not my aim however I’m so comfortable I didn’t stop–> 5:31, 5:44, 5:49, 5:51, 5:57, 5:48, 5:51, 6:19, 6:02, 6:19, 6:10, 6:12, 6:32, 6:34 tempo for final bit.  Constructive splits for constructive folks, as Ali would say;)

Is there a greater post-race deal with after feeling fried on a course?  I feel not.  I chugged two huge water bottles inside minutes of ending.  I felt dehydrated, so I want to simply plan on bringing a small water bottle or two with me on sizzling days as a result of I can’t all the time depend on water being there once I need it.

It was so good to meet up with pals!  PS I don’t put on the Runner’s Nook prime anymore as a result of I didn’t make the staff this yr!  It stung initially, but it surely has been a superb factor for me to show my youngsters that you just don’t all the time make the staff, however that may’t cease us from reaching our objectives.  The RC staff is wonderful this yr!  (Lauren (new PR!), Tawny, and Alison under)

*Emo ran a half pr!  We went to highschool collectively, and everybody known as us twins again then.  

Just a few extra objects to speak about:

*I did this 10k course in 2019 (the final 6.2 miles of the half I did) with a 6:11 common tempo and did the half this yr with a 6:03 common tempo.  Huge issues are going to occur in St. George (and I’m so comfortable I’ll be capable to have bottles at that race)!

*For the primary time ever, I put my telephone within the drop bag.  I didn’t need to run with it however wished it to take some footage earlier than the race.  It was a superb determination; I beloved solely having my gels and chapstick on me. 

*Andrew had the concept that I begin doing a run or two per week in the midst of the day.  A simple run however one thing to assist me to get stronger with the warmth as a result of it’s my arch nemesis with working.

*I feel I DO like working a mile or two or three the day earlier than a half-marathon.  I travel on this, however I feel I’ll strive it for my subsequent half.

*Simply my paparazzi photograph of Jared Ward… he ran a 27:53 within the 10k and received.  He instructed Andrew on the expo he beloved his mustache:)

*Andrew went additional on his bike, attempting to see me all around the course than I ran.  It was so good to see him so many instances and so good of my in-laws to stick with the children so we might have a race getaway.

*The 2 instances I had water to drink I additionally poured some on my head.  It was like an INSTANT aid the second the water touched my pores and skin.  I must ship a thank-you card to the person at mile 11 with a fan spraying water on the course.  It felt heavenly.

*This course had indicators up about .25 miles earlier than the photographer to let you understand they’re up forward.  Let’s see if that interprets into extra smiles within the race photographs than common.  

*I ran over the timing mat in the course of the warm-up and was a bit burdened that it could begin monitoring my time then; fortunately, it didn’t.

*I got here in fifth place and was handed by 4th place at about mile 7.  It was the cutest factor as a result of her dad was on a Vespa and stored arising subsequent to her (within the correct lane drivers wanted to be in) and cheering for her.  It was actually candy to observe.

*We completed with a 3.44-mile c/d @ 8:24 tempo –> 17.64 miles for the day.  A Cubby’s (my present favourite Utah restaurant) burger and candy potato fries (with additional salt) tasted so so good.  

*Fairly dang enthusiastic about this at the moment… we’re all working collectively for Utah’s largest race!  It was Utah’s vacation yesterday, therefore all the festivities.

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Does anybody else warmth prepare? Give me suggestions, please. I need to get higher at it!

Ever been reduce from a staff?

Andrew is able to shave his stache, and I would like him to maintain the mustache. Shave it or hold it (clearly, he can shave it if he needs, however we’re simply kidding round with one another on this:)?

Does anybody else reside in the identical space they lived in throughout highschool? Do you run into folks out of your faculty typically?