Goals and Accomplishments

I've been meaning to post a blog about last year's goals and accomplishments but I procrastinated and now I will have to combine it with this year's first race report. So... sorry, it's going to be a little long. I guess I am pretty goal oriented. I like to write down specific race time goals and individual split times, as well as overall placing goals in my training log at the beginning of the year and it keeps me in check throughout the year on what I am focusing on. And I try to be realistic for most of them so that I have a pretty good chance at achieving them, yet also make it a challenge. At the end of the year I look back and can see what I worked towards and what I achieved.

Last year was probably a break-through kind of year for me as a pro triathlete. I spent 2009 as a rookie pro, learning the ropes and trying not to get intimidated at the races. I learned in 2010 that I could hang with the big girls if I just believed in myself and my training and my goals. And each race served as a baby step up the ladder in terms of confidence as a racer. I raced world champions on several occasions and proved that I can hold my own with them, and now I actually enjoy those races the most where the competition is the stiffest, as it gives me a true sense of where I stack up and what I need to work on to reach the top. Prime examples were my last 2 races of 2010, namely Clearwater and IMAZ where I faced the toughest pro fields all season and persevered with 2 consecutive PRs on 2 consecutive weekends. More than crossing off the last two goals on my checklist, I gained another notch on the confidence meter and ended 2010 on a high note, excited to only get better in 2011.

So 2011 came and I had a new list to make for the year, including a goal for an open marathon (I like to run one each year as my schedule allows, as I see a direct link between my triathlon and running fitness. When one is going well, so is the other. ) which I set as running 2:50 or better. My previous PR was set in AZ where I ran a 2:52 two years ago, but battled some foot cramps in the last 4 miles and was forced to stop several times. I ran a 2:54 last year on a very hilly course with no competition so I figured on a good fast course with some other girls to run with, I could definitely hit that goal.

I picked the Mississippi Blues marathon back in mid December as my winter marathon. I had about a month to 'prepare', which really meant about 2 or three long runs and maybe 1 or 2 tempo runs. Nothing fancy. With it being only 7 weeks post IMAZ I knew I wasn't going to push my body through a tough marathon training program, so I kept up my swimming and cycling as best as I could with the weather permitting, while keeping my run mileage around what I do for IM training. A far cry from what serious marathoners run, trust me ;) (been there, done that and gotten injured) I expected  a few speedy girls to show up at the race after checking out past results where the top 2 runners were in the 2:40s and third place would be around 3 hrs. With a nice purse, I thought I could get a new PR, while making some cash as well. Ofcourse, it never quite works out that way :)

Once in MS, I found out that some well accomplished and 2:30s to 2:40s marathoners would be showing up and that it would have to be a perfect day for me to crack the top 5 and take home some prize money. I decided to just focus on my own race as there was no way I was going to keep up running their pace (6min miles or faster?!) , and instead focus on attaining my goal of hitting 2:50 or better, which is 6:29 pace per mile.

I was actually quite impressed with the VIP treatment I was given as an "elite" runner. Much different from what I've experienced as a pro triathlete so far. I was put up in a super nice B&B style hotel, fed and chauffeured around, and met some pretty interesting new people. I may or may not know what the secret to their run success is after watching and talking to some of the Kenyan and Ethiopian runners there. Lets just say they keep it simple.

The race started bright and early at 7 a.m. when temps were a tad chilly still and I was not quite sure about my attire of just a S/S and shorts. I decided to wear gloves and my compression sleeves (have become a firm believer of them ever since IMAZ where I had zero post race calf issues this last year. Can you hear me, CEP marketing?! :) The speed right off the bat literally took my breath away, oops. I had Brandon (he came along and ran and PRd in the half marathon, which started with the full) running beside me and I kept panting, trying to tell him between breaths that this pace was a bit fast for my liking. It had also been less than 48 hrs since coming down to sea level and it apparently affects me in a weird way where I feel like I am at a higher altitude than Boulder, having some breathing issues.

My first three miles were more like 10k pace so I forced myself to slow down a bit, at which point I also struggled with a persistent side stitch for the next mile (breakfast was at 6, a bit late for a 7 a.m. race start) Finally I seemed to have found a rhythm and I tried to settle into my goal pace, worried a bit that I had overshot my chances at a good race with going out a bit too hard, trying to keep the fast girls in sight. I was in no mans land, running alone, with just a few volunteers lining the winding, hilly neighborhoods of Jackson. I had exactly 2 people pass me, 2 masters runners who were 2nd and third place of their race category, and I made it my goal to keep them in sight.

mile 22 on a downhill

I managed to keep one of them close and even caught up to another elite runner who had pulled over for a pit stop, only to get right behind me and draft off of me for the next three (hilly with headwind) miles from 18-21. She was right in step with me and I felt a bit like Dave Scott and Mark Allen back in the day, no one giving an inch. Let me tell you, it was the toughest part mentally of the entire race. I so wanted to tell her to either back off or get ahead, but it's part of racing I guess, so I just plugged along and pulled her with me. Then her foot steps stopped and she was gone. I found out later that she had taken a spill (Some of the pavement on the course was rather rough.) and I don't think she finished. I do hope she is OK.

Gritting it out to the finish line, hurting everywhere

The race actually went by really fast and before I knew it I was checking my watch to see if I could pull it off. It would be a hard task considering the wind was blowing directly in my face going uphill from mi 22-25. I dug deep and remembered all that I have been able to toughen out in an Ironman, and I tried my best to ignore my increasingly fatigued legs that felt like they had weights tied to them. At 2 hrs 48min I looked down at my watch and then up the road (uphill!) at the finish line banner. How bad did I want this? It was up to me. I picked up my pace as best as I could and fought up to the line, probably the hardest finish I have ever raced in a marathon. I crossed the timing mat with 10 seconds to spare before the clock changed to :50. I had just achieved my first goal of the year. I had also run myself into 5th place and would get on the podium. For anyone who thinks triathletes can't or don't know how to run fast, I'd like to challenge you :)

Top 5 Women- top 4 runners and the triathlete :)

Hardly a day has passed and I am already scribbling down a new goal, should I run another open marathon this year. I know I can go faster on a flatter course. Or with specific training. We shall see. Triathlon season is knocking on my door and I have a full list of goals I set for myself. Can't wait to see where this year will go! For now the goal is to be able to walk normal without my hamstrings or quads seizing up on me every time I stand up. Ah, the price to pay :)

Official Race Stats: 1:23.50 13.1mi, 2:49.50 26.2 (6:29 pace per mile)/ 5th woman