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.