Doonst learns a lesson in Hamilton
Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2007 11:19 pm
First of all congratulations to everybody who ran PB's today in the Hamilton Marathon, that's respectable. Of course now I can't say it just wasn't a PB day or course.
I ran most of my half with mlazenby, that was a high point. We usually just pass by each other in trail races, when I am doing 25 K and he is doing 50 or more. I had freely admitted that I didn't have much invested in this race, that it was just a fun run on an exciting new course. Also I knew the statistics on the course elevation, and the wind predictions. Nevertheless, I paced Mike to a 45:30 first 10 K, similar to my last 2 fast halfs (1:37/1:38]. This was partly into a substantial breeze. It started feeling tough when it flattened out after the big hill we ran down. Not a good sign when flat ground seems hard, still some elevation to pay back. We were still running pretty good until about 17 K. I had started to walk through the aid stations, something I don't do in halfs as of this year. Sent Mike ahead around 15-16 K I think. I did keep him in sight for a while.
When I got to the long uphill, it all unraveled. My exhaustion, the hill, and my lack of motivation created a perfect storm of suckiness. When it came time to push, I just didn't bother. I even walked a couple of times between aid station, in a half, I literally don't remember when I last did that. As as I slowed though, I was surprised that not many people streamed by, I guess lots were fading on the hill. By the end, I didn't care much about time, but I did want it to be over. 20th split time was 6:48. Then back to a 5:11 on the flats to bring it home. Final was 1:46:18, a 5:02 pace. Slowest half in 18 months. I was quite beat at the end though, so I couldn't have slacked off as much as I thought. I figure if I "raced" it up the hill like I usually do, I might have been 2 minutes faster. Kicker is, I came in 7/45 in my age group, my last two half times would have put me 3rd. (On much easier courses of course.)
So the lesson that I learned: don't go out at an "A" race pace, if it's not an "A" race, especially if the hard part is near the end. It hurts.
I don't know yet if I could like that course, point is moot since it will be totally different next year. As always the company of fellow maniacs made for a great day, on and off the course. Orange pom-poms rule!
I ran most of my half with mlazenby, that was a high point. We usually just pass by each other in trail races, when I am doing 25 K and he is doing 50 or more. I had freely admitted that I didn't have much invested in this race, that it was just a fun run on an exciting new course. Also I knew the statistics on the course elevation, and the wind predictions. Nevertheless, I paced Mike to a 45:30 first 10 K, similar to my last 2 fast halfs (1:37/1:38]. This was partly into a substantial breeze. It started feeling tough when it flattened out after the big hill we ran down. Not a good sign when flat ground seems hard, still some elevation to pay back. We were still running pretty good until about 17 K. I had started to walk through the aid stations, something I don't do in halfs as of this year. Sent Mike ahead around 15-16 K I think. I did keep him in sight for a while.
When I got to the long uphill, it all unraveled. My exhaustion, the hill, and my lack of motivation created a perfect storm of suckiness. When it came time to push, I just didn't bother. I even walked a couple of times between aid station, in a half, I literally don't remember when I last did that. As as I slowed though, I was surprised that not many people streamed by, I guess lots were fading on the hill. By the end, I didn't care much about time, but I did want it to be over. 20th split time was 6:48. Then back to a 5:11 on the flats to bring it home. Final was 1:46:18, a 5:02 pace. Slowest half in 18 months. I was quite beat at the end though, so I couldn't have slacked off as much as I thought. I figure if I "raced" it up the hill like I usually do, I might have been 2 minutes faster. Kicker is, I came in 7/45 in my age group, my last two half times would have put me 3rd. (On much easier courses of course.)
So the lesson that I learned: don't go out at an "A" race pace, if it's not an "A" race, especially if the hard part is near the end. It hurts.
I don't know yet if I could like that course, point is moot since it will be totally different next year. As always the company of fellow maniacs made for a great day, on and off the course. Orange pom-poms rule!
:clap:
Some races, that's the highlight. Very tough course from the sounds of it, and well, you know, you just ran a Boston qualifier.
