Sunday, April 10, 2011

Run for Retina Half Marathon Race Recap 2011

Okay...I totally forgot to do a goals post...But here is what I was planning on doing...

Official PR was: 2:15:25 at last year's Run for Retina
Somewhat PR...at the Mid-Summer Nights Run they had a 21.1km check point and I did a 2:12:51 so I was REALLY REALLY hoping for Under 2:11:59...So a Pace of 6:15/km since my pace was just over that for Around the Bay I thought it would be manageable...

Yesterday I relaxed with Family in the Morning and afternoon...went and got my Hair French Braided in Pig Tails (It is my favourite to run in) and then had a yummy pasta dinner with Friends...this was my first time that I didn't really pay attention to my pre-race rituals...I did hydrate some but wasn't too serious like previous races...

Went to bed at a decent time but had a horrible sleep...pretty much was up every few hours...I think it was nerves or the dog...who knows...not a good night sleep...my tummy was somewhat upset this morning but I think it was anxiety based...The hubby dropped me off at the starting line and I mingled with friends while he went and picked up another friend...they were able to come just before the start to get some pictures!





Lindsay, Catherine, Myself and Lindsay's mum Cathy who Ran her FIRST 5km! So excited for her and Lindsay ran it with her...I just love stories like those!!!


PS. That sweet purple mickey mouse sweatshirt with the collar (classy I know) has been in my closet waiting to be thrown away at a race for over a year (I got it at Value Village) however races have been WAY to hot to wear one...TODAY was the day to give it away...however I ended up taking it off before the race and giving back to Catherine and my Hubby to hold...well after the race I was freezing and ended up wearing it again...ugh...still in my possession!


Anyway...RACE.....


The Gang caught me on the way out...



I started off with a woman who was aiming for a 5:50-5:55km pace...I was chatting with her and it was quite congested so I stuck with her for the first 3km...It felt really COMFORTABLE...it was odd...at that time we were doing about a 5:30-5:45km pace so I backed off a bit and wished her luck...

I saw Hubby and Catherine at the 4km mark...

Still feeling REALLY strong at this point...wondering if I was going out too fast...but was super comfortable so I went with it....





I was supposed to see Hubby and Catherine again but they didn't make it...which I think was probably a good thing...for the first time in a race I focused on myself...I got in that zone and just kept going...I told my mum to be at a point by a certain time...unfortunately I was running still at a speedy pace and she missed me...I still think this was a good thing...

I tried hitting the LAP button on my garmin for the first time at each KM mark...but unfortunately I missed some...no biggie...I did find that it helped and do know this is something that I want to do for future races!


7km I took two GU chomps Watermelon...They were good...my stomach was still uneasy but I knew I needed take something...I didn't carry a fuel belt and was relying the the four water stops...Not enough but it all worked out...

At the 10km point I was still feeling really strong and was just aiming for UNDER 6:00 per KM....CRAZY I know since my original goal was to do 6:15per km...It was starting to get hot and humid and I was REALLY worried that I was pushing my luck...


At the 14km mark I took a full GU chocolate mint...this REALLY helped...I felt very rejuvenated and it was just what I needed...since I was taking water and had one cup of e-load at the stops I was getting just enough...

From km 14-17km I felt surprisingly strong...I saw some friends in the park who were volunteering and taking pictures along the route which was great...it kept me going...

At 18km...I started to bonk...I told myself to get to the aid station at 20km and I could walk it...I bribed myself and it worked...the aid stations were so small that it was a 30sec walk at the most...it helped...at 19km there is a gradual hill...followed by another small hill at 20.5km...I told myself that if I power walked the hill I could kill it at the end...So funny that I was passing runners by walking really quickly...at the top of the hill is a bridge...as soon as it became flat I kicked it up a notch and had a 5:37km pace...woot woot!


I look at my watch and realize...if I book it...I can maybe squeeze in under 2:05....




My Garmin said: 2:04:53...AMAZING...


So pumped and excited at this point...I went to check my time on the printed out sheets and it said 2:05:12...both Gun time/Chip time were the same...I spoke with the sport stat people and they cleared the situation up and figure out that I finished in:

2:04:50!!! PR by 10min and 35secs....


I honestly wish that one day I could do a sub 2:10...and then today to do a Sub 2:05...I am on cloud nine...I learned a lot about racing today and leaving it all out on the course...I really couldn't have asked for a better race...It is a good reminder in trusting your training...


6 comments:

  1. Awesome! Congratulations on a fantstic PB

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  2. Congratulations on the PB! It's such a great feeling when you do better then you ever hoped to! BTW - I love your skirt and socks! They look so cute!

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  3. That is a HUGE smoking PR!!! Congratulations! Killer race.

    Mmmm watermelon chomps taste just like candy!

    I've done the lap button thing at a 10K but not sure I want to have one more thing to think about in a long distance race... then again, could be a good distraction.

    Anyway CONGRATS AGAIN!

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  4. That's an amazing result Alicia! Congrats on the absolutely massive PR. I just stumbled upon your site today, but I'd say you've put in all the hard work and deserve a result like this.

    What's your next race? Anything in the city?

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  5. My next race is Mississauga Marathon :)

    I am thinking of doing the Runner's Choice Night 5km and I would love to do a 10km with them too!

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  6. I'd highly recommend supporting events put on by Runner's Choice, they NEVER disappoint. The 5km that starts and ends at the barking frog is a blast...I can't wait to run it so I can enjoy a beer and burger on their patio. :D

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