It has been 5 weeks since the Dallas Marathon and I came into this 70%. I took a lot of time off from running and did lots of traveling to Austin, Houston, and Dallas visiting family and friends in the meantime. It wasn't until the 1st when I started to really prepare for this race so it gave me less than 2 weeks to be ready.
Race morning I made sure to eat some toast before to get some food in me and we were on our way for an early 6:45am gun time. Temperature was around 38 degrees with NW winds up to 15mph. Since I didn't feel my best, I planned on running with the pace group for a 1:30 finish time until 10 miles, then pick it up depending how well I felt. Plan:
Miles 1-10: 6:50-6:55 pace
Miles 10-13.1: under 6:50 pace
I lined up with the 1:40 pace group because there were so many people jam packed that it was impossible for me to move my way up closer to the 1:30 group. I ate some orange vanille Gu Roctane (taste like sherbert!) 5 minutes before the horn and I felt awesome after the 1st mile. So awesome I was running too fast. I slowed down to a 6:54 pace and noticed I was 10-15 seconds behind the 1:30 pacer. As I was turned down Burnet Rd, I had the urge to pee again. I felt frustrated and got it over with behind a bush which took off time so now I am a good 45 seconds behind the 1:30 group. I wanted to catch them and settle in their running rhythm before it was too late.
Miles 7-9 (6:55) (6:53) (6:54)
I finally caught them on Shoal Creek Blvd during the 6th mile. The pace leader was entertaining and kept motivating the group as runners kept drifting off his pace falling back. He discussed the hills after mile 11 and about a training group in Austin led by Gilbert Tuhabonye. I thoroughly enjoyed running with them because the spectators kept screaming, "Yea 1:30!!!" At times I noticed I would run ahead of the group, but I slowed down the pace to stay with them.
Miles 10-13.21 (6:43) (6:39) (6:13) (6:33) last .21 (5:57)
When the group got to mile 10, this older runner decided to pick up the pace for the last 4 miles. When I say older I mean at least over 65, white hair and all. His name is Doug and he wants to run Boston in 2 years. He was great to talk to because he kept joking about how it's easy for him to qualify because of his age. We chatted more until I noticed there was a long downhill stretch on Duval St. I told him good luck and nice meeting you and booked it. Mile 12 was my fastest split and I thought back to the San Antonio Half Marathon where I was suffering at this mile of the race. This helped give me the drive to keep pushing up and down the hills on Red River St. until I turned on MLK to see this nasty-long-uphill-headwind finish.I kept driving my legs and using my arms running to a 1:28:15 moving time finish. My official time is 1:28:45 with the pit stop at mile 2.
I was happy because I finally hit a time goal I wanted. I was realistic with how I felt and stayed true to my plan. Adrianna also PR'd by 13 minutes!! Looking forward to the Rock 'n' Roll Dallas Half Marathon in March!
Age Group: 23 out of 195
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