Marathon Readiness Series: Boca Hawaii Norman Tamanaha 15K

I've been training for the marathon for awhile now and today I ran the first race in the Marathon Readiness Series.  The Boca Hawaii Norman Tamanaha 15K was run on the route that I have been training on since March.  I was excited to see how I would fare on the course without taking breaks for water and the bathroom.  Coming into this race I had no expectations.  The only similar race I had run was the Great Aloha Run (13K) and my pace for that race was 9:30 with an injury.  Funny, I've been injured for the last 3 weeks too.  Thus, I wasn't sure what to expect. I have had to lay off my training meaning shorter distances and no hills.  In fact, I was supposed to take the whole week off per doctor's order but instead kept the mileage low and the pace slow.  

Before injury I had planned to run the race at about a 9:30 pace. My marathon target pace is 10:30 and I ran my two halves at about 10:15.  With all this running that I do I still have no idea how to run a race that isn't a 10K.  I've been saying for months that I need to start running with a heart monitor and it is true.  A soccer player all my life, I don't know how to run until I am spent.  I've been trained for so long to always leave gas in the tank for a sprint. :)

Anyhow, the injury to my ankle and arch meant that I decided not to "race."  There was no way I was going to risk further injury.  The end prize is far more important to me than a great time.  So, I went in with the attitude of running hard but smart, listening to my body, learning from the race, and with the ultimate goal of having fun.

Race morning began with some excitement.  One of the girlz turned off her alarm, the bibs had no holes for our bib belts, and the porta-pottie had NO TP!  With all the little dramaz I was worried there would be big dramaz on the course but luckily I was wrong.

The horn blasted and we were off.  About 900 runners on the narrow strip meant that the start was crowded.  Being tiny I was able to dart in and out of the crowd.  The hubby wasn't quite as successful and he got boxed in at the foot of the hill.  Since mile 1 felt okay I decided to power up the hill.  It's a game that I play with myself any time I run hills.  I always see how many people I can pass.  It helps me run strong and hard and stay mentally focused.  At triangle park, the start of mile 3 I was still feeling okay.  I took some water at the water stop but totally missed the Gatorade (boo).  

The incline back up Diamond Head went well and I took it easy down the slope near Kaimuki Middle.  In my training I noticed that down hill runs really aggravated my injury.  I took a gel here even though I didn't need it because I wanted to be sure I continued to run strong.  Hubby and I coasted along to the gas station and at the sharp right turn by Waialae Golf Course I tweaked my ankle a bit and decided to ease off.  This portion of the race was scary as there were cars going down the road in both directions and runners running on both sides of the road.  I was worried I was going to see road rash!  I was able to get some Gatorade at this station but it was totally GROSS!!  Red water, lol.  

As we made the right turn into Kahala I glanced at hubby to see how he was doing.  This stretch had been his downfall at our Hibiscus Half and so I shouted some words of encouragement to him.  We ran steady here which was good because it is a stretch with no shade.  It is the last 3 miles of the Honolulu Marathon and we'll be sure to be running this stretch when it is hot!  So, I am training myself to mentally own this portion of the course.  I always have mantras I repeat to myself here, especially because after the flat is the incline up Diamond Head and down to the finish.

As we approached the last few miles and the last hill I willed myself to run hard.  I had some Gatorade at the last station (perfectly mixed orange) and told myself to POWER up.  I owned this hill!    I ran up hard passing as many people as I could.  At the top I decided to run hard down to make up some time. In my head I was doing the math.  A glance down at my Garmin made me realize that if I ran the last two miles strong I would be able to come in under 1:30.  

At the bottom of the hill I knew there was about 2 miles left.   I knew I had to run smart until we reached Kapiolani Park.  I wasn't sure how much energy I had left or how my foot would hold up so I continued to think strong thoughts.  As we got to the Park and made the left turn to the road that would lead to the Finish Line I thought of all the other races I had finished on this very same road.  I visualized the Finish Line and decided to pick up the pace.  I sped up to about three-quarter speed and SUCKED IT UP.  As I got to the tennis court I knew the end was almost there.  I looked up and picked the target that I wanted to beat.  I sprinted hard and strong and passed people along the way.  As I neared the line I saw the clock and knew I would be under 1:30.  Hubby was right next to me and we were finishing strong!

As I crossed the line I was happy to be feeling strong and pain free.  Hubby told me that the announcer had called us, "Team Lulu" as we crossed.  

As I reflect upon this morning's race I know that the Olympics has played a part in inspiring me to run strong.  I also have been thinking about the "sport" of running.  How important it is to have a strategy that is based on knowledge of a course and knowledge of you run.  The last year has put me in tun with my body and I am truly loving the mental part of running.  I am loving the challenge and loving learning about this sport.  

I now have a few weeks until my next race which will be a Half Marathon.  I am opting out of Race #2 in this readiness series and choosing to train on the Marathon Course instead.  I will also be cutting back mileage to allow my foot to heal (this will be very, very hard for me).  

While this post is pretty cerebral the pictures that follow will show you just how much fun we had!  The girls and I enjoyed picking up our outfits (costumes?) and had a great time running and playing with one of our favorite Lulu Educators, M!!!!  

After the race we had some yummy Pho and went shopping....running.  I love it!!!!

Chip Time:  1:28:39, 26th place in my division and 462nd overall.  

Mango Days 5K 8.5.12

This race was my first 5K.  A friend of mine asked, "How can this possibly be your first 5K?"  I guess in many ways I am a frugal person and if I am going to pay to run I want to get the most bang for my buck thus when faced with paying $30 bucks for 5K or 10K I always chose 10K.  Seems almost like a waste to pay money for 3 miles!!!  Nevertheless, after completing the run I realized that I will have to re-think the 5K race.  It was a nice change of pace (literally) to run fast and finish fast.

Coming into this race I didn't know what to expect.   I've been running injured ever since we took the kids to ice palace.  Not sure what's wrong with me but it's a combination of swollen ankle, sore arches, sore achilles.  Since racing is starting up again I kept my mileage low this week (nothing longer than 4 miles) and I've been icing, stretching, and massaging.  In my head I wanted to try and compete this race at a sub 9 minute pace but I wasn't sure how the foot was going to hold up.

When I got to the race course we ran into friends from highschool.  G and S were both athletes in highschool like Mike and I and we knew them pretty good.  I had seen G race at the Coconut Race and I knew he was fast.  Talking story with the boys at the starting line got my kinda pumped and I decided to see how I could do.

The horn sounded and everyone took off.  Since it was gun time I wanted to stay close to the front (something that I never ever do) and I wasn't sure what to expect.  Since it was a smaller race (about 400 runners) it wasn't too bad.  It still amazes me how fast some people can start out.  I am a very slow starter.  Very.  I need to practice the start if I am going to be running more 5Ks.  Anyway, we started out at about an 8:30 pace.  I wasn't sure how I was going to be able to hold the pace being that I had never really strategized a 5K race.  I was just hoping that I wasn't going to crash and burn in a short-lived blaze of non-glory.

I was able to hold the pace for the first mile but at mile 2 glanced down at my Garmin and saw that I was at about an 8:43 pace. The good thing about a 5K is that at mile 2 you only have one more to go so I decided to stay at that pace and burn it at 2.5.

As we made the turn toward the endline I tried to hold pace at about 8:30.  I could feel that the lack of runs this week coupled with the injury was holding me back and I was unable to start the kick that I usually do at races when I have a mile left.  As I got closer to the finish line I decided to give it what I could and I took off sprinting.  I looked up and saw the clock.  26:50.  I looked for the mat.  Too far away.  I wasn't going to post a sub 27 finish time.  I was both bummed and pissed at myself.  I needed better "course management."  I had been looking at my pace and happy to see 8:30s that I had neglected to look at my finish time.

As I crossed the mat and heard the beep of my timing chip I stopped my Garmin and saw 27:03.  With gun time there was no hope in sub 27.  Oh well...maybe next time?  :)  A huge mahalo to my friend Kathy who gave me her bib so I could race today.  I think I want to do more 5Ks. For sure I need to try and beat my new PR.

After the race the hubby and I jumped in our car and headed to Diamond Head to do our marathon clinic run.  Between the heat and the morning race I struggled through the run but was able to complete 10 miles.

What an insane day!!!