Race week!
I kept up with my training as much as I could this week, knowing that Saturday was going to be a race. My plan wasn't to race this full out. I wanted to finish feeling strong and knowing I could keep going. That meant slowing things down, but I was okay with it.
I only missed a swim and a bike workout this week and that's pretty good considering it was also the Cub Scout Blue and Gold Banquet and I was traveling to St. George to run the race.
Friday, the roads were terrible with another snow storm, but we plowed our way down to St. George. Part of me wanted to cancel the whole thing, but I'm glad we forged ahead. There were six of us; Hillary, Sabrina, Kathie, Amber, me, and a friend from my new home, Shanon. Only Hillary, Sabrina, Shanon and I were running the race.
It was snowing in St George when we arrived and that is pretty unusual. I've only been there once before in the snow. But by the next morning, though it was cold, it was beautiful blue skies for the race start. I had brought all the stuff that I usually run in when it's 27*, but the sun does different things there. I shed the jacket, gloves, and hat even before the start and mid-way through wish I were wearing capris.
The race--Dogtown Half--was beautiful. I highly recommend it (but wish they'd go back to their $35 price tag!). St George has done their trails right. They go through some beautiful country. My race plan was to focus on my fueling and making sure that I could tune in to my body. I wasn't all that worried about my time. This isn't my A race for the year and I used it as a faster training run.
Shanon stayed with me for most of the race even though she could have run it so much faster. It was nice to have someone to talk to and we kept the pace conversational. I ran all the way (except for through the aid stations) until mile 10.5 when I stopped to blow my nose and Shanon shot ahead of me. There was a nasty hill and I was tired. So I ended up walking up the hill to mile 11 and then walked for .20 miles at mile 12. I finished strong though and felt like I could have kept going.
Fueling wise, I think I almost have it nailed. We stopped at Olive Garden for a late lunch/early dinner and I ate my most favorite dish, Lasagna Frittata. It clocks in at almost 1100 calories. But it is SO good. Then for dinner I ate corn chex because I wasn't really hungry but knew I needed to eat something. For breakfast the morning of the race I ate half of a bagel. During the race, I only had cuties with me and they worked great, though I think I need to start them at mile 3 and eat them every three miles instead of trying to stretch them out to every 4 miles. I resisted the Gatorade at the aid stations until mile 12, but I think I need to start that earlier too. I got a much needed boost to finish strong.
So, cuties every 3 miles. Gatorade starting at mile 8 and every 4 miles after. That's the plan for the next long run.
I think the biggest factor in this race has been quitting sugar (except for once a week, and not binge-eating it). I felt so good for most of the race and my recovery has been awesome as well. I hate that because I really love my cakes and pies and all things yummy, but I am definitely seeing the results!
This week we go camping and I try to fit in 6-8 miles all alone in the cold desert. Wish me luck!
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