Okay.  May I give a little race report here? I just want to do this because sometimes I don't know where I fit in...in this world of running. I don't look like a runner. I don't eat like one. I don't really even train like one. I do smell like one, so at least I got that going for me.

 

Yesterday, as Nono, Ralph (the r.s.) and I were sitting on the couch in some hotel waiting for the race to start... we were surrounded by maniacs, 50 staters, serious runners, tri-athletes, etc.  Everyone was talking about goals.  Nono's was undefined as she was stepping into uncharted territory.  The second marathon of back to backs. But she had a happy-go-lucky view of the race, she was happy to have the home field advantage.

 

Ralph's goal was to not run Boston yet, meaning, he was running a training run for Boston, just a tad shorter than PBJ's.

 

Then there's me. Signed up for the 10-miles race but wanting a 14 miles training run. 

 

I said, "I don't know what to do.  Should I race it?"  (which doesn't mean much because my training pace and race pace are not that far apart)

 

Ralph and Nono did not skip a beat.  "Of course you should race it!  Then just run a 4 miles cool down."

 

Ralph volunteered to run with me (which didn't turn out so well in Indianapolis but worked very well here).

He even carried the little pouch thing I brought to hold my phone, car key, and Accel gel.

 

My goal: run 9:15's or better the whole way.

 

I thought this race was going to be flat. There were a few bridges.  I thought that the wind would be at my back the whole way. Whine whine whine…. I was whining in my head but, tried not to whine out loud.

 

Ralph was great. He tried to block the wind but the wind was too swirly. We had crosswinds and headwinds for the first, well, really the whole way. A rare tailwind kept me from going insane. 

 

Ralph also helped keep me sane. He just kept conversation light and reminded me to breathe and to look around at the beautiful scenery.  This latter piece of advice buoyed me back to homeostasis.

 

The results:

Mile 1: 9:07

Mile 2: 9:00

Mile 3: 9:21

Mile 4: 9:02

Mile 5: 9:40

Mile 6: 9:17

Mile 7: 9:11

Mile 8: 9:23

Mile 9: 9:18

Mile 10: 9:11

 

Garmin time:  1:32:28 for 10 miles exactly.

Gun time: ~ 1:32:54 (maybe?)

 

Average pace for 10 miles: 9:14

 

I thought that there would be no way I could run 4 more miles. But then I remembered that they were SUPPOSED TO BE SLOW!

 

I channeled my inner Mariposai. She runs her slow runs around 11 minutes or so! And it WORKS for her. So I texted Nono’s husband and told him I was starting my next 4. He texted back to say, “See you at 14”

 

I neglected to tell him that I would be slowing down, so I ran the next four in:  11:44 (gel and water break), 10:07, 10:04, and 10:14. And he was waiting for me at 14, to drive me to the marathon finish of this race from Cape May to Sea Isle City.

 

And where do I fit in?

 

This is where I fit in yesterday:  my job was to help others race better or smarter. You see, there were two people I had picked out to pass at the end of the 10 miler. One girl who had a slightly larger posterior than mine. And one svelte woman wearing zebra pants.

 

I started my “surge” too early. I passed them both with a half mile to go, they both passed me in the last twentieth. Sometimes you’re the cheetah and sometimes you’re the weakest gazelle. In less than 4 minutes, I was both.

 

So, I am going to say that I helped that larger girl and zebra pants to kick it at the end.

 

But here is what pleases me more.

 

Ralph needed to run slowly at the beginning of this marathon “training” run. And because he had to “help” me run 9:15’s, he, too, had to run that pace.

 

This set him up quite nicely to run seriously negative splits and still within his target range. After he dropped this ball and chain at the 10 miles mark, he picked up his pace to around 8:30.

 

He ran smooth and easy for the next 15+  miles… until he saw a guy he had chosen to beat way back in mile 2. Mr. Sagging Orange Pants.

 

He was surprised that he did not see Orange Saggy Pants until after mile 25…  So he set out to chase him down. Mile 26 was still within his pace range BUTT. That last three tenths (according to Garmin) was better than 7:25.  Good bye Mr. Sagging Orange Pants.

 

He finished in 3:52 something. Next stop: Boston.

:-)

 

though it did bear repeating!  

Yay!  Excellent RR!  Everyone achieved their goals!  What a great day!

 

And I, too, hate the wind.

 

But cold rain is worse.

Oh I so wish you could have run down zebra pants!!  Who thinks they are so cool wearing garb like that.  I could really relate to your comment about being a "real runner", I'm just a fake.

 

Way to go meeting all your goals and nice pace there lady!

Rose, you fit in better than any runner I know! Great race and report, too. Now that you're such a good 10-miler, you really need to come back to Michigan for the Crim races some time. How else am I ever gonna see you two again?

But cold rain is worse.

 

We had that too, but not 'till she was safely in the car. 

 

I remember several times yesterday thinking, "Oh thank G*D there isn't much wind out here today.  I couldn't do this if it were a windy day."  I am grateful to now have it from a verified source that my "not much wind" is really some decent wind.  The windy days are downright Nor-easter-like.

 

RCG isn't kidding either about the swirling.  That's pretty regular too.  I've had runs around here where every way I tured I hit a headwind.     

 

Great race report!!!  It was soooo nice to meet you and run with you a bit!  I think you are one fabulous runner and fit in just about anywhere...though if you join up with the cheetah-wearing runners group, I might pretend not to know you!

Hey Nono!

I am anxiously awaiting YOUR race report...

 

ughhh, we're not out of Congress Hall yet.  It's way too wordy, and we're not even at the starting line!   I need Twocat's editor....