My last race was the Honolulu Marathon in December. Normally I use the month of January as a break time, however, this year I've continued to log 30-40 mile weeks and training. I also added in strength training with Ripped classes and other cross training. The result has been that I have been able to maintain a healthy happy weight, and stay excited about running.
Going into this race I knew I was the best prepared I had ever been going into the Great Aloha Run and I was hoping for a new Personal Record. I had been training at 9 minute miles for 6-8 milers for awhile and I knew that it was going to be within reach. I had run the race at 1:13 last year and was set on hitting 1:12.
When the race started I took off with all the fast runners. The adrenaline had got to me and I was flying. When I looked at my watch and saw a 7:50 pace I knew that there was no way I was going to sustain that and I backed off. I reminded myself to stay at a sub 9 without being winded or tired and that's what I set out to do.
Throughout the race I did what I needed to do to stay mentally tough. The hills and the heat and the crazy people and water all around me threatened to do me in but my will to get a new PR was stronger. I stayed in my head throughout the race and pushed myself when I normally would have backed off. The last 2 miles seemed to go on forever and like I would never get to the stadium. Once I was in the stadium I forgot how long the run was to the actual entrance. I was starting to fade but I pushed harder.
And then suddenly I was descending into the tunnel. I ran hard because I knew I was going to beat my time and by a margin larger than I had expected. My goal was a 1:12 and I smashed it at 1:11:46, just under 2 minutes faster than my 1:13:39 in 2015. Suddenly I knew that I could reach my dreams if I continued to work hard, and it was exciting!!
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