We were in the middle of a heat-wave during this year’s Rock ‘n’ Roll, so I already bet from the get-go that I would not be getting a PR. And so it went!
I started out in corral 5 and Tom started with me (though he was assigned to Corral 4). Actually, we were so late in getting to the corrals, we couldn’t fit, so we ended up starting with Corral 6. I was a little miffed by this as I felt that every minute (getting hotter and hotter) would ultimately matter, if even just psychologically.
I started out too fast and knew it, so I tried to slow myself down, but caffeine was coursing through me, pushing me to go a bit faster than usual (I have been drinking green tea rather coffee for quite some time now)! It was uncomfortable and for the vast majority of the race, I actually felt like throwing up. I’m not sure if this was due to my speed, the heat, having eaten a bagel right before starting, all of the above…or other?!
I obviously managed to carry on, but this race was definitely tough both physically (due to nausea) and psychologically. I was unhappy for most of the race, dwelling all too much on how hot I was and how it was too much like Disneyland. I let myself walk at every aid station and pour water down my back.
At about Mile 10, I realized that, for sure, I would not be getting a PR (and,honestly, by this time, I just couldn’t care less), so I walked a significant amount.
In the end, I wish I could have just pushed myself even just a tiny, tiny bit harder. I’m not good at being uncomfortable!
I do wonder, however, if I have hit my peak. Perhaps I’ll do better at the inaugural Disney Avengers Half in November. Perhaps I can defy my age one more time….And, for the record, A. and Tom did not get PRs this year either; they finished in 1:46:48 and 2:00:53, respectively (and, interestingly, despite A.’s time, I did better within my age/gender group than he did–guess gals are just generally slower…!).
Here are the overall stats:
Total Time: 1:53:43
Pace: 8:40
Overall Place: 1358/8362 (16%)
Division (age): 30/491 (6%)
Gender: 307/4234 (7%)