Not going to lie…I have totally been avoiding writing this race report but I need to just get it out and be done with the whole thing. I went into the Bay with a few goals:
- keep a slow, steady overall pace as this is just a training run
- negative split
- finish and feel confident about my May marathon. (m much?)
The results?
- Pace: I keep the pace I was supposed to. PASS
- Negative split: giant FAIL and apologizes to those who I told post race that I did negative split. Apparently basic math is failing me.
- Confidence: Another giant FAIL. I feel like the marathon is going to be yet another fiasco and I will have let myself and my support team down.
I debated even starting the race on Sunday as I felt terrible. In retrospect, I should have just sucked it up and popped a couple of Advil prior to the run. But I have the fear of my liver exploding if I do something like that so I took 1/2 an Advil which did nothing. We were lucky to have a place right downtown Hamilton to park and meet up prior to the race. Most of my friends had great races and some giant PBs which is awesome.
Even if some of them can’t figure out their Garmins. :)
The weather could not have been better for the entire race. By the end I was dumping cups on water on myself to try to cool down. Huge difference from last year and some good prep if on marathon day it is as warm as it was. The volunteers and spectators were amazing. Hats off to you all – you made me smile on a frown dominated day.
The hubs was out roaming the course on his bike and it was a treat to see him at the 10km mark:. The arm sleeves came off very soon after this pic.
I basically felt like crap from the start line to KM 18 where for some reason I felt really good. That lasted until KM 24 and again just felt terrible for the rest of the race. I limped into Copps in a personal worst time feeling deflated…and sweaty. Only the hubs could have coaxed this kind of smile out of me.
It is easy to say: “Move On.” It’s tougher to actually do it. I KNOW this was a training run but I still feel like it just should not have been this hard. I will go into our next set of long runs with a positive attitude but the doubt seed remains.
In the end…move on I will. And hopefully kick this Debbie Downer to the curb.
19 comments:
I hate runs like this....
But we know that they also make us stronger because we never want to feel that way again. Hang in there.
Sucks when you have a bad run on race day.
Ugh. That sucks. I'm sorry your confidence has been shaken a bit...but hope you find your mojo sooner rather than later.
Oh gosh I can totally understand, but that is not an easy race and it has its challenges.
The last time I ran ATB I was almost in tears the last 5k because of feeling craptastic. But one bad "training race" doesn't make the ultimate goal race bad...you just learn from it and move on! Best Wishes on recovering quickly.
I was only doing the relay and mine went the exact same - I went out WAY too fast - that hill was my undoing :P
I think anyone who does it all is amazing! you should be proud of yourself
so on the advil thing. I actually do it before major long runs, but the key is to make sure you stay well hydrated.
Bad runs are inevitable. Sucks when it comes at key times. It tough, but I try to think of it as a lesson learned on what I could have changed and then also that this was the bad run that I got out of the way before race day!! I won't say move on...but I will say learn from it and adjust what's needed and run on!!
You are strong and determined - you will move on and feel better. We all deserve time with our emotions when we have a bad run, but just don't let it take over for days on end. Have a well-deserved pity party, then get re-focused and back to your BA self!
As for Advil, I have taken that stuff for years before a long run or a race whenever I feel just not right at the start. Never had a problem. Drink tons of water if you do.
There's nothing worse then a race that leaves you feeling like that. I know how you feel that's for sure, I think every runner can relate. I'm sorry it was a tough go for you and don't at all think it's a reflection on how your marathon will go. Every run/race is different. Hang in there! As for the Advil (or Aleve) I pop them always before a long race.....whether I need them or not.
Ugh. So sorry. I know how much that sucks. Give it a few days, then dust yourself off and get back at it with a new determination.
YOU've FREAKING GOT THIS WOMAN!!
the runs that suck . . . you can always learn a lot from those ones.
you are awesome.
sorry it did not go well but I agree with Emz...you will learn from this or take something from it and use it on marathon day. it is better it happened now than on marathon day right.
laura-live WELL, LAUGH often, run much.
focus on the laughing part this week!!
Were you sick with the flu or a cold? That can be such a drain both physically and mentally. If you can smile like that at the end of a lousy run you can do a marathon with a good attitude on a much better day.
Awww honey pooo, don't say "fail", it makes it worse. No fails. You got out of bed, you ran a race where you didn't feel good, and you finished. Success.
I know, cliche'! But it's not fair to say "fail".
Sorrry you didn't feel your best, but the good thing is, it will definitely get better from here!
A tough one for sure but take the positives and dump the rest.
Negative splits - this is a racing illusion that fails to take into account the course layout. If the hills had been in the first 10k things would have been different. Honestly I dont know anyone that regularly runs negative splits especially in longer races and that includes everyone from the front of the pack to the back.
Remember you were running a training run. Look back in your running log and I am sure you will find other training runs that sucked, we all have them. You are just putting more importance on this one as it was in a race. Dont, remember its just training.
You should actually feel somewhat positive about your marathon. Its all in how you frame it when you think about it. You kept your pacing even, one of the big things for a marathon, you completed the distance even on a hard / bad day. This all while in training, no taper and not peaking for your goal event.
You did great .... take what you can from it and keep on training. Good luck
u look happy! love that big smile~
ps. u did not fail. u adjusted your goals to the situation! no worries! u still rock!
You're my freakin' hero for getting through that run. That race is hard enough as it is, never mind doing it feeling how you did.
You have been so committed to your training and you've been absolutely stellar at it. Keep that in mind as you finish ramping up these last few weeks and know, like the rest of us, that it will translate to a fantastic marathon. I have confidence in you!!
I hate the sucky ones. If it's any consolation, I always have at least one long run before a marathon that leaves me feeling deflated like this. It probably wouldn't have hit you so hard if it weren't in a race setting. You can and will come back from this! Your REAL race will be vastly better.
Better to have the sucky race today then in May... hopefully you have it out of your system now. You have been training like a fool... it MUST have just been one of those stupid 'off' days. Shake it off. You are not letting anyone down - not even yourself, so don't go thinking otherwise!
Post a Comment