Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Hyannis 2012: What Went Up, What Went Down

Overall Time (Net):  3:24:44
Pace per mile:  7 minutes, 49 seconds
Overall place:  34/403
Age group finish:  8/46
Splits (5-mile): 37:13.6 (0-5), 36:47.9 (5-10), 37:12.7 (10-15), 40:25 (15-20), 52:23.3 (last 10km)
Splits (Half): 1:36:55.5 (1st half), 1:47:48.5 (2nd half)

With consistent temperatures in the 50s right now, it's difficult to recall how bitter that wind on Cape Cod was just two weeks ago but make no mistake: the conditions were what one would expect on the Cape in the middle of winter.

Unfriendly.

This was a race that started with a bit of self-doubt.  In addition to the bitter weather, the lack of speed workouts (including no other road races in the month of February) and getting stuck near the back of the pack with the 12-minute pacers made the opening minutes frustrating.  I knew that I had to push it all aside - dwelling on it was pointless.

The first mile was spent caught behind a sea of runners, but once I broke free the pace was much easier.  One thing I did notice early in the race was that my upper legs felt heavy (I guess that's the best way to describe it) which may have been a blessing in disguise.  Though it kept me from posting anything below 7 minutes in a single mile, it kept me focused on keeping a slightly slower but more even pace.  I stayed around or under a 7:30 pace through the first 15 miles, stayed under 8:30 for 23 of the 26 miles, and managed to avoid a 9-minute mile entirely - especially at the end where I returned to under an 8 minute pace in the last 1.2 miles.

Though far from my PR (3:08:21) and BQ (3:04:59) goals, I was proud of my endurance both during and after the race.  There was significantly fewer sore leg muscles the next day which is a testament to my winter workouts this year.  It was my best for Hyannis, beating out last years time by about 2 1/2 minutes.  Which means if I can keep this up I should be in great shape (literally) for the rest of 2012.

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