I could not be more pleased with the 25k race today. There is no doubt that this was my best ever long distance race and I'm still enjoying the moment 12 hours later. The statistics will show:
- 29 minutes faster than last year
- Improved age group position from 80th to 35th
- An unofficial half marathon PR since I ran a faster pace for 15.5 miles than my PR half marathon pace.
- Probable unofficial 10k PR over the last 10k.
- Second loop faster than the first and third loop faster than the second.
All I have to say is it is a lot more fun starting slower and finishing faster than the other way around. It is certainly a confidence booster for the marathon, which I needed as I was starting to "go wobbly".
What made today so successful (other than the chance to see so many friends)? I attribute the results to three main factors.
- The weather was nearly perfect
- A conservative first 10k
- A gel for breakfast, a gel 15 minutes before the race, a gel after 10k and a final gel after about 18k.
I'll be in Colorado all week and am looking forward to some altitude training. The ski slopes are opened, but I'm not sure I'll ski. I love skiing but I am worried about tweaking my knee, which remains somewhat suspect to twisting. You know you are a runner when you forgo skiing, which you love, for fear of an injury that would reduce your running.
8 comments:
Hmmm, perhaps I should try gel for breakfast. Perhaps it will make me go faster. Perhaps, perhaps.
Good running! Good to see you again.
All good indeed.
Reading your blog put a smile on my face again this morning as I continue to live vicariously through you this racing season. Congratulations and have fun in Colorado.
Too funny - I have a post started at home (that I haven't finished) which calculcates what my time was at the 13.1 marker as well.
My third loop was 30 seconds slower than my 2nd (but they were both faster than the 1st) - I was a littls surprised since I felt like I finished strong.
Have fun in Colorado - how fun! If you're not going skiing, can you at least pack a camera so I can see how beautiful it is there again?
Excellent run yesterday, Joe! Glad to see that it went so well for you! It was great to get to catch up with you again, and it's always fun to talk ND football. :)
Enjoy the mountains!
Erin
I just can't eat gels unless I've been running for a while. Just not appetizing to me. ;)
Very nice race yesterday, and thanks for slowing just enough to chat with me for a moment during your 2nd loop!
as i look over the flatness that is michigan, the stack of grading that i have to do, the piles and piles of books that need to be sifted through, and then read that you are forgoing skiing, i pray that your psychosis is not genetic. great job on the run
Good show Broadway Joe!
I am sure you will enjoy some good brews in Colorado.
Great run, Young Fella. Dang, you're getting stronger and faster by the week!
Steeeve
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