Run: Race Previous Next

11/19/2016

9:00 AM

7 mi

44:44

6:24 mi

Health

155 lb
3435
52.8

Weather

30 F

Ratings

7 / 10
3 / 10

Notes

Still trying to discover answers for this one. Probably the worst race I've had in quite some time, well... at least the worst 1st half, I did recover some. Here's how it went down.

Got out of the start line fine, letting all the sprinters get there early lead, when that all settled down, I was happy to discover the lead pack was still just ahead of me. I made my way up to it with Drew and Sutton. Perhaps I should have focused on my own pace, but being in the lead pack felt so good, though that could have just been the adrenaline and being stoked about a chance at a high place.

Around a mile, I let the lead pack go. But what I thought was a casual easing off the pace, instead ended up being a step on the brakes as many people started passing me. I just felt terrible all of a sudden; my chest felt tight, like I couldn't get any cold air through; my legs were suddenly heavy and tired; and my hips were feeling strained as well.

Falco and Retro passed me, but they were the first, soon I was back in the 40's and thinking about dropping out (and probably would have if we were closer to the start), that or find a porta potty (not sure if that would have helped anything).

My 3rd mile felt like it was close to a normal distance run pace, but that allowed me to recover some. By halfway I wasn't getting passed anymore and began to have hope I could salvage this race. Unfortunately my first couple attempts at picking up the pace didn't go as well as I'd like, but I did start passing people. It went slowly at first, but I started to steadily pass people as we did more trail and stream running (though it was difficult to pass at times).

I was still pretty demotivated and made my feelings known when I saw Hazard and Citius spectating, but I did find renewed vigor when I finally caught sight of Retro and Falco right before the big hill (side note, I did clear that last ditch/jump crossing). The motivation did not make that hill easy or enjoyable, however, but I did have enough energy for the downhills to really open the legs and pass a big group. According to Strava, I was a whole minute behind Falco before 5 miles, so it's nice to have confirmation that I picked up the pace considerably. I finished 29th.

So I'm left with what could have gone better once again.

Maybe the simplest answer is I need a break, I did start my racing earlier this year and it's hard to maintain a peak this long.

The other simple answer is I went out too hard and didn't realize it until too late. My first mile was 5:23, but it is on roads (though hilly) and is the same pace I started my 10miler. I also don't think I should be too far behind Drew or Sutton to start any races. But it was the wrong choice today, there were likely other reasons I ran poorly, but getting out hard made it worse.

Plenty of other possible excuses, maybe the sudden cold temps hit me hard, or I didn't wear enough clothes; maybe I had too much to eat or didn't hit the bathrooms enough; any number of things in my training could be the reason, who knows.

I keep on thinking back to my 10th place finish in 2013, waiting to improve on that (and it's not like I was in amazing shape that year). I did start off slow that year, so I think I need to try that again and hope for the best. If that doesn't work, maybe 2013 was just a fluke and LHF just doesn't suit my running abilities.

Like last year, I'm left with feeling morose at the end of the season when I should be happy with the results I did have in October. I think I will take a few days off, but there's 1 more trail race I'd like to do in 2 weeks.

Comments

RedCholo

Shoot... I'm sorry to hear that LHF didn't go so well. It'll be good to have both a physical and emotional break from training and racing before gearing up for the spring! Do I hear steeple at Norse Relays with me and Frenzy???

Nutmeg

I'm still planning on it, you're going down.

RedCholo

Oh Yeaaaaaah?!?!