This 43 year old chick!
I went into this race feeling good and running strong. I knew I didn't train for a sub 2 but I was hoping that I would get a faster time. I did all my normal pre-race routines and was feeling good the morning of. When the gun sounded I went with my strategy of staying at sub 10 as long as I could and running on the edge. I started out strong and saw the normal runners that I have been pacing with for the entire series. As I ran up Diamond Head road I had a tough time with the wind that was blowing stronger than usual. I told myself to stay mentally engaged and stay close with the people I pace with. I took my first gel at the 2nd water stop at the Gas Station and continued to push. About a quarter of a mile onto Kalanianaole I started to see the lead runners. Their times seemed slow as well and it was awhile before I saw the first woman. I tried my best to follow behind bigger runners to combat the wind but that didn't help either and so I just willed myself to stay on pace until the turn around.
At the turn around I immediately felt a rush and it became easier to run without the wind pushing me back. Unforutnately, my callouses and new blisters began to throb. I had never had blister issues in past racing seasons so I am not sure why all of a sudden they're becoming an issue at every race. As I was running I saw my buddy Darren who told me, "Don't let me catch you!" and I took that with me for the rest of the race. It was exact what I need to hear. I needed to up the intensity and go for negative splits. No regrets! Anyhow, I continued to push on and keeping certain runners in sight. I didn't feel like I had the energy or strength to pass them with 6 more miles to go so I told myself just to not lose them. I ran well on Kalanianaole and as I turned on to Kahala for my challenging finish I took my 2nd gel.
This stretch has always been a mental challenge for me no matter what distance the race is so I tried to keep as mentally focussed as possible. I kept my target runner within distance and powered up the hill to Diamond Head. As I began to climb I reminded myself that this is my strength and it was now or never. I began to run as hard as I could up and as hard as I could down.I didn't dare turn around but it was a good thing because I told myself to run hard so that she couldn't catch me.
As I ran to the finish and entered Kapiolani Park I saw that I was under the 2 hour minute mark. If I could run a 6 minute mile I would be able to get that sub 2. I knew I couldn't and I decided to stop the negative thoughts and instead embrace the fact that I was going to PR. It was just a matter of by how much. It was starting to get hot and I wasn't exactly sure what I had in reserve so I ran pretty conservatively but as I approached the Tennis Courts I gave it my all. I could see the finishing clock and I could see that I was going to be able to post a 2:01 time. I gave it everything I had and finished with a 2:01.47. Yes, a few regrets and a lot of thinking about how I could have knocked off 1:48 in my race but also a lot of excitement because knocking off 15 seconds per mile is totally doable for me and my dream is becoming closer to reality.
After the race I ran 2 slow miles for my LSD and the blisters were killing me. I will need to experiment with some different socks this weekend. With three 3 weeks til the Honolulu Marathon I am feeling completely happy with my training and getting more and more excited to run my 7th Full Marathon. :)
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