Hellish conditions today made racing very tough. It was 95 in Philly yesterday and by 8:30am this morning the temperature hovered around 70-75...but the humidity made things brutal.
I went out conservatively and started walking down guys who went out too fast even in the early miles. I hit mile 3 in 15:18 and knew it wasn't going to be a PR day (which was why I was here). 25:55 at mile 5 after some 5:18s got my mind thinking about dropping out. I was picking off guys, but what was the point? I could A - grind through and run 1-2 minutes slower than my PR/goal time or B - shut it down. I opted for B and stepped off the course at mile 7. I ran back and found Wiggy and Dix then ran the last 3 miles with them and actually began to enjoy the race. I cruised in with the women's winner and ran around 55:00.
This is the first race in my 15+ years of running that I've dropped out of, but I have no regrets. I've had a great season.
More later...
I went out conservatively and started walking down guys who went out too fast even in the early miles. I hit mile 3 in 15:18 and knew it wasn't going to be a PR day (which was why I was here). 25:55 at mile 5 after some 5:18s got my mind thinking about dropping out. I was picking off guys, but what was the point? I could A - grind through and run 1-2 minutes slower than my PR/goal time or B - shut it down. I opted for B and stepped off the course at mile 7. I ran back and found Wiggy and Dix then ran the last 3 miles with them and actually began to enjoy the race. I cruised in with the women's winner and ran around 55:00.
This is the first race in my 15+ years of running that I've dropped out of, but I have no regrets. I've had a great season.
More later...
7 comments:
You didn't actually "drop out". You still finished, and that's what counts. You made a smart decision. You'll get em' next time.
Everyone had the same conditions. A race is still a race...even if you don't hit your expected splits. Looking at the weather before deciding to participate might have saved you the trouble.
Great job this spring Jake. You went on a tear... PRing left and right. I look forward to the summer training season with you.
Message to Anonymous #2: Don't hide if you are going to say jackass remarks... That was a ridiculous statement. If it is on your schedule (especially as the last show down), you race... what do you have to lose.
Anonymous - this is true if I was racing for a W or a good place (like a team race or an xc race) but Broad Street was on my schedule because it is a fast course where one can run a fast time. Conditions made a fast time (my objective) impossible and I did not know that until mid-way through the race...at which point I shut it down.
Thanks Wiggy.
Friends don't let friends post anonymously. Klim - you've put in some great performances this spring - nothing to be worried about. I'm looking forward to seeing what you do this summer/fall. I like the plan you guys have put together so far. One suggested workout that I didn't see is a long run, 20-22 miles, with 8 miles of tempo. Something like 2 miles easy 4X1 mi tempo with 1 min rest 8 miles easy 4X1 mi tempo with 1 min rest 2 mi easy. Daniels book has a few examples of workouts like that.
Thanks Ben. The Chicago plan is still a work in progress so we'll look into that.
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