My goal from the beginning of the year was 1:53, and that was aggressive. I set that goal before we got pregnant, after finding out, I didn’t change it, I thought that would be cheating. Anyway, it was possible, if I had given myself a little bit more hill training, I might have done it. The day was beautiful and perfect for setting a PR. I’m definitely faster than I was a year ago.
My plan was to go out with the 1:55 group and if I felt alright after the last hill, give it all I had. Well, the last hill proved difficult. I did much better going up Gilham this year than I did last year though. I watched the pace group pull away. I kept them in my sights though and finished maybe 150 meters behind them. I finished 1:55:54 officially.
The best thing about this particular race day was my team. Five members of my team earned a PR at the race, including me. I just can’t explain how cool it is to have a group that pushes you and motivates you and encourages you everyday of the week, then joins you for a run on the weekend too. It was just great watching and running with my teammates. Jason, Kevin, Tim, Ron, David, Vivek, and Senthil all kicked butt. Vivek and Ron really weren’t trained-up for the race, but still had fun. Everyone else set a PR or surpassed their goal for the race.
I was using the race as a measuring stick. How I finished was going to determine how I wrapped up the year. If I had hit 1:53, I would have stuck to the plan and attempted a PR at Gobbler Grind. I think its all going to workout though. I’m saving some money for one. Work pays for the 13.1 at Gobbler Grind, but not the 26.2. The 26.2 is $99 too. I think thats just a little bit too much for running on the trail that I run on all the time anyway. Also, there is a 26.2 in Little Rock on March 4th. It gives me a little more time to do a real training plan and its a real race. AND, its voted best value by RunnersWorld magazine. It’s only $80 (if I register before the end of the month). I was hoping to make it a family trip since my father-in-law has family out there. The problem with that plan is that my sister-in-law is due on March 1st. Luckily for me, my good friend Steve has agreed to carpool and split expenses with me!
I’ll do my best at Gobbler Grind, shoot for a 1:52:59, and take a break. My life is different now. I don’t really know how to make plans anymore.
I’m rambling. A PR is a PR!
