I wanted this race to mean something but it is hard to put your hopes into a winter series race. What's most important to me when I race is being satisfied with my effort and that didn't happen today. Upon arriving at Saltair, there was some noticeable wind. I had a nice warm up primarily with James and the wind got stronger as we returned to Saltair. After I changed and did a few accelerations, I felt good and 5:30 felt comfortable.
Right before the race started, I had an unusual negative though of something like, "Why do I have to do this. Doing well is hard." The race started and I settled in at about 5:25 pace after a bit of a quick start. I felt very comfortable and the first three flew by uneventfully. I chased Nate and Benjamin who made up the "chase pack" to the lead five (I think there were 5). First three were 5:23, 5:28, 5:26. As the leaders passed after the turn, Jake said something like, "Go get them." I thought that was a nice idea, but it didn't have the needed effect of increasing my determination. 5k was about 16:50. After the turn, I realized just how bad the wind had gotten as it was blowing hard from the west. Mile 4 was 6:08. It got slightly better after turning southwest but I had no determination. I continued to coast at a comfortable pace. Miles 5 and 6 were 6:01 and 5:53. I sped up for the last bit and got a 1:24 for the last .25 on my Garmin. My mile splits were right on for the first couple but there was an 11 second gap by mile 6. So splits are a bit fast.
6:00-6:15 is now my giving up coasting pace. Perhaps that's good because that is getting faster but I haven't learned how to dig in and will myself to go faster. I fought the wind but I didn't really fight to stay on pace. In fact, I decided to not even look at my watch after the turn because I didn't really have a plan B for the wind. I fell off from Nate and Benjamin a bit on the second half and made no effort to close the gap. I didn't really care.
On the cool down, James wanted to do 5 by 60 seconds hard. I went with him and by the third rep my legs were feeling it and I was working in the latter half of the minute (4:50-5:15 pace w/general slowing over the minute but faster each rep). I haven't replicated that effort and pain in a race and I think that is where my opportunity lies. Decent speed, a good aerobic house, now I just need to learn how to push the limit and run hard when my will weakens (or even better, maintain a strong will).
While running, I feel like, "How much does it matter if I push right now?" But returning home, I am angry with myself for not giving it my best. This is my challenge going forward.
Overall, still in a good place. 5:45 pace so a nice workout and no worse for the wear (good positive spin from Coach K). 80 mile week with a good mid-week tempo. Averaging 80 for the year thus far. I was feeling a bit beat up midweek (dealing with a new bout of hip bursitis on the right side) but I am fresh and motivated now.
Congrats to Riley for breaking the course record on a tougher day than last year and showing what it means to fight the elements and continue to push hard. He ran something like 16:25 on the second half which to me shows a lot of toughness. I believe this shows I had 15-20 seconds per mile in me on the way back if I had his determination.
| 