Doonst shows up for Chilly '07
Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2007 4:39 pm
Chilly 2007. I really didn't know what to expect for a result today. Its been 3 wintery months since my last race, and I haven't been running very fast in training, just long. I had been slightly under the weather, weak mostly, for most of last week but felt fine again today. The wind was a concern but wasn't terrible after all, just medium.
Pre-race went okay, chip pickup took at least 20-25 minutes but at least it was inside. Saw a bunch of people before the race, mostly briefly. Started off with Dave, and could see the speedy Ed Fizz for the first K or 2. They were long gone by the time I hit 5 K in 23:24, nice pace so far. Started to slow a bit on the "out" section, 4:45s instead of 4:40s, but that was what I needed to break 1:40. Still, usually I pick it up around the 7 K mark, not fade. Held that pace pretty much until Lakeshore "back" section, where the combination of wind and fatigue pushed my pace back a bit more: several right on 4:57. Saw Dave again around 18.5 K, then the Manic cheering crew around 19. It got harder but I stayed at that pace right until the last 1.4, at 4:48. That's all the kick I had left. I was very ready for the race to be over, I doubled over just to breathe for a while in the chip removal line. Final time was 143 something gun, 1:42:55 chip. Same as most of the fall tour. I guess I should be happy with that all things considered, but I dread the "plateau" effect, when it gets harder to improve. I see in other reports that some had PB days, and others had rough days, I did about average. As always great seeing everybody in the race, at the sides, and after in the pub. See y'all at ATB.
Pre-race went okay, chip pickup took at least 20-25 minutes but at least it was inside. Saw a bunch of people before the race, mostly briefly. Started off with Dave, and could see the speedy Ed Fizz for the first K or 2. They were long gone by the time I hit 5 K in 23:24, nice pace so far. Started to slow a bit on the "out" section, 4:45s instead of 4:40s, but that was what I needed to break 1:40. Still, usually I pick it up around the 7 K mark, not fade. Held that pace pretty much until Lakeshore "back" section, where the combination of wind and fatigue pushed my pace back a bit more: several right on 4:57. Saw Dave again around 18.5 K, then the Manic cheering crew around 19. It got harder but I stayed at that pace right until the last 1.4, at 4:48. That's all the kick I had left. I was very ready for the race to be over, I doubled over just to breathe for a while in the chip removal line. Final time was 143 something gun, 1:42:55 chip. Same as most of the fall tour. I guess I should be happy with that all things considered, but I dread the "plateau" effect, when it gets harder to improve. I see in other reports that some had PB days, and others had rough days, I did about average. As always great seeing everybody in the race, at the sides, and after in the pub. See y'all at ATB.
Racing is more fun when there are Maniacs around -- it was great seeing you and the gang at the pub this time. Onward to ATB!
