Quincy Half Marathon - Hell Yes!

Stats:

Time: 1:32:56; 7:04 pace (unofficial, per Garmin); 7 minute PR.
Place: 3rd overall women; 30th overall

Splits:
1 7:14
2 7:06
3 7:18
4 7:15
5 7:23
6 6:58
7 7:04
8 7:07
9 6:59
10 7:07
11 7:04
12 6:59
13 6:40
.1: 5:22

The report:
I was a bit nervous about this race. I got a head cold on Friday. I had a tough week of training, with 4 fast and long runs. I felt heavy and slow. Last night I found myself coming up with excuses but I cut myself out: "You trained hard, no need for excuses, you go and run hard".

I was excited in the am and mentally ready to race. I cleared my sinuses with the netty pot, took a Tylenol and felt better. My boys came with me as we were planning to visit my uncle who lives close by, after the race. It was chilly and windy in the morning. My plan was to run in shorts and T shirt, but when we got to Quincy I changed my mind and wore Chris's jacket. Can't wait for the pictures...me in an oversized jacket... As soon as I got my packet I realized that there were no timing chips. I went to the finish line and positioned myself in the second line. At 9:02, we were off.

My initial plan was to stay at 7:20 for 10 miles, and push during the last 3.1. Well, as you can see from the splits, that did not work out (which is a good thing). Deep inside I knew the race is small enough that I could place, so I let myself go faster, but not crazy fast. Lots of women passed me in the beginning miles, but I was fine with that. I can now tell the fast runners by their stride. I knew I am going to pass most of those women in the later miles. I felt good, but not super, but I reminded myself that I tend to feel better a few miles into a race. I wore my Nike Free shoes and had some concern about how I would do with them in a race (they were amazing!).

The first few miles were rolling inclines. I was awaiting the big hill at mile 5, and took a gel in preparation. The hill did not disappoint. It was about .75 up and .25 down. I shortened my stride and pumped my arms. I felt great. The next 3 miles were pancake flat. We had the ocean on our R and it was beautiful. I was feeling awesome, so I started to pick up the pace. I decided I would keep a 7:10 average by mile 10, and then reassess. By mile 8, I had passed many of the women who were in front of me. The course started to roll again, with short and steep hills, and I started to get out of breath as I would crest the hills. I took deep breaths and reminded myself that there will be a downhill and I am a great downhill runner. At mile 9 I passed 2 women. I went faster. I saw 2 more women in front of me and decided to pass them, too. I did, at mile 11. From then on, I had to focus on guys, because there were no women in sight. I started to feel tired so I took another 1/2 gel. I pushed the pace a bit, because I wanted to feel pain, more than to go faster (there were no women in site to pass). At mile 12 a police officer told me I was 3rd woman, and that the hill I was cresting was the last one. I picked up the pace. I got close to the puking threshold, and was happy about that. It meant I was working hard. The last .1 I sprinted as I saw the clock. I wanted to see 1:32:XX and not 1:33. I made it in under 1:33. Petru and Chris ran the last .1 behind me, cheering me on. After the race, we watched runners a bit, and Petru kept yelling: "C'mon runners, you go fast, you pump arms, you win!!!".

I am very happy with the result, though of course, there is the perfectionist part of me who "knows" I could have run faster. But I feel like this after every race, so I am not sure whether somehow my mind erases the suffering and remembers only the endorphin soaked feelings. I do know that a sub 1:30 is in my future. I also now have the confidence that I can run a 3:20 in Boston. In fact, based on my time, I could run a 3:15 or so. Will see!!