Since I wasn't able to attend the Seawheeze Half Marathon last week and the Windward Half Marathon was cancelled this year I decided to sign up for the Hickam Half. I ran it in 2013 and in the 2 year break I guess I forgot how brutal the race was. Add in the fat that it's like the hottest summer ever and you get a challenging morning.
I had been worried about this race all week. I've been super tired and have had some leg pain and my runs hadn't been going well at all. The heat and humidity have been sucking all the energy out of my and my runs have felt sluggish. In all honesty I was looking for a reason not to run the race and as I waited for my friend Elaine who was going to get me on base I was also secretly hoping that she wouldn't show up.
Lucky for me by the time I got to the race and used the portapottie with the long line it was time for the race to start so I didn't have much time to think. As I lined up with the other runners I decided to run at Marathon pace and aim for 10 minute miles. As the gun sounded there was quite a bit of jostling. I wasn't too worried because we were starting behind the timing mat and I assumed that it was a chip time (I was wrong). I set off running with the pack and settled in to a 9:45 minute pace. All around me the runners were sprinting off and passing me and I let them go. I knew that the sun would be up soon and that I needed to run smart. We continued on around the base and I reminded myself how lucky I was to run this race. The first 3 miles are very scenic and take us through housing and on to the water. I love running past the officer's quarter's and the Officer's Club. From there we head out along the beaches piers and toward the golf course. I love this part of the run because it brings back great memories of my youth spent at Hickam fishing, crabbing, and playing at the beach. Once we pass the canal though, it gets really hard. It's a hot straightaway directly into the sun and completely brutal. All the concrete, black top, and planes make the air hot!!! On today's run there were tons of golfers trying to weave and pass us on the road and it was a little scary.
I was happy when I got to the turn around and told myself to run the next 7 miles strong and on pace. By this point I was hovering around a 9:55 pace but I slowed down to about a 10 because the heat was getting unbearable. I took all three gels and threw water on my body at each stop. Thankfully there were many stops, but sadly none had any Gatorade which I really needed.
For the last 3 miles I was staying strong in my head and passing many runners who were walking. I gave myself a mental high five for sticking to my game plan and playing it smart. As I looked at my watch I knew it was going to be close to get in at 2:09 as I neared the finish line I realized that the course was long and I was not going to make it. I ran strong to the end and finished with a 2:12, my slowest Half this year but pretty good considering everything.
After the race I was rewarded with a medal and a free massage and I ran an extra mile around the track to hit my week's scheduled LSD of 14 miles. All in all a great day and just like that Half Marathon #17 is in the books!
Saturday, August 22, 2015
T
Sunday, August 9, 2015
Norm Tamanaha 15K 8.9.15
I woke up this morning with a really sore back and a sore throat. For the first time ever I contemplated skipping a race. My mindset just wasn't into it. Thankfully I talked myself out of staying home and drove out to Kapiolani.
I was tired on my way there and contemplated cloying my eyes for 5 minutes after parking the car but thankfully I talked myself out of that huge mistake too.
I got my timing chip then went back and stood in the long bathroom line. Lucky I was early and was able to line up at the start with about 10 minutes to race time. When the race started I decided to keep a nice and easy pace. My plan was to run 10 minute miles and relax. Somehow I got caught up in the race and went out at about a 9:40. As I ran up Diamond Head at a 10+ pace I realized that running Mililani hills yesterday wasn't the brightest of ideas. My pace was slower than usual and as I neared Kaimuki Middle School I was way more fatigued than I should have been for short mileage. At the gas station I decided to take a gel and drink some water as well as tailwind. Unfortunately the Tailwind didn't work for me and I had to work hard on the Kahala stretch. I had decided to use the Cliftons today and my knees started to hurt. I switched and ran in the middle of the road to avoid as much slant as possible but that mean I was running in full sun on the back side. As I approached Triangle Park I took another good drink of water and looked at my watch. My average pace was at about 9:55 per mile and that just wasn't feeling good to me so I started yelling at myself going up the hill and willed myself to run as hard as I could. I was able to finish the last 2 miles very strong and end up with a 9:38 pace. I should have done better but I wasn't mentally prepared for today (good wake up call to be better as I prepare for the Honolulu Marathon) and in all honesty my body is simply tired.
After I finished the race I had some of the free and yummy Brio ice cream then ran 2 laps around Kapiolani Park and the Zoo for a nice and slow easy 5 milers to get my LSD up to 14 miles this month. Right on target!!!!
My next race will be the Hickam Half Marathon so I am going to give me body a little rest this week and hopefully find a little but of mojo. Just thankful that with everything going on I was able to pull off a pretty solid race and get my mental problems resolved by the end of the race. Lots of work to do but I am up to it.
I was tired on my way there and contemplated cloying my eyes for 5 minutes after parking the car but thankfully I talked myself out of that huge mistake too.
I got my timing chip then went back and stood in the long bathroom line. Lucky I was early and was able to line up at the start with about 10 minutes to race time. When the race started I decided to keep a nice and easy pace. My plan was to run 10 minute miles and relax. Somehow I got caught up in the race and went out at about a 9:40. As I ran up Diamond Head at a 10+ pace I realized that running Mililani hills yesterday wasn't the brightest of ideas. My pace was slower than usual and as I neared Kaimuki Middle School I was way more fatigued than I should have been for short mileage. At the gas station I decided to take a gel and drink some water as well as tailwind. Unfortunately the Tailwind didn't work for me and I had to work hard on the Kahala stretch. I had decided to use the Cliftons today and my knees started to hurt. I switched and ran in the middle of the road to avoid as much slant as possible but that mean I was running in full sun on the back side. As I approached Triangle Park I took another good drink of water and looked at my watch. My average pace was at about 9:55 per mile and that just wasn't feeling good to me so I started yelling at myself going up the hill and willed myself to run as hard as I could. I was able to finish the last 2 miles very strong and end up with a 9:38 pace. I should have done better but I wasn't mentally prepared for today (good wake up call to be better as I prepare for the Honolulu Marathon) and in all honesty my body is simply tired.
After I finished the race I had some of the free and yummy Brio ice cream then ran 2 laps around Kapiolani Park and the Zoo for a nice and slow easy 5 milers to get my LSD up to 14 miles this month. Right on target!!!!
My next race will be the Hickam Half Marathon so I am going to give me body a little rest this week and hopefully find a little but of mojo. Just thankful that with everything going on I was able to pull off a pretty solid race and get my mental problems resolved by the end of the race. Lots of work to do but I am up to it.
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