Race Reports - Renaissance Half Marathon and July 4th Run

I have been doing coached speedwork for about 2 months now. I decided at the beginning of the year that this would be my year (like I decide EVERY year).

Here's the thing about me - I can kind of be lazy. I train. I push myself past a comfort zone but not too often do I just go ALLLLL out to where I am staggering across a finish line. I don't know if I am afraid or if I just don't have that sort of drive. Anyway, last summer I was pretty steady around 10:00 minute miles for my long runs and we'll say 9:40 for shorter distances if I was feeling good.

So, since January, I have lost close to 10 pounds as well as adding biking and swimming to my mix. My times started to get better. So far my fastest 5K has been 27:58 and 2:09 for the 1/2 marathon.

Well, last weekend I did the Renaissance 1/2 marathon in Jackson, MS. I was hoping to break 2:05. The weather was pretty good considering it is summer in MS. We started the race at 6:30. I ran with my brother in law for the first 5 miles. I was feeling pretty good. Then, things started heading south very quickly. My left IT started hurting. I slowed and let him move ahead. Mile 6 my right IT started hurting. Dookie.... it just got worse from there. I finished in 2:11 so not bad but a little disappointing when you have a goal in mind. But from mile 6 on I just kept hearing that voice that said, "you think you are going to do a marathon. You can't even do a half well." I am going to have to banish the voice.

So, on the fouth of July. The speedwork had really been leading up to this race, so there was some pressure to perform. The course was kind of hilly so that made me nervous. My legs felt really tight from the get go. My goal was to PR preferably in the 26's. Mile 1 was 8 and I held 9's I guess from there. My official time was 25:40! I was pumped. I can't believe I did that. That was the most I had ever put out there during a run.

Now, today, the long run. It was crap. I am hoping it was from the races this past week. Again, the voice.

But, I am so pleased with my PR.