DA BRONX

On Sunday, February 11, I ran the Bronx Half Marathon, the second race in the New York Road Runner's Grand Prix Series.

I love racing. I know that the whole triathlete thing is more about about the lifestyle and yada yada yada, and in theory I wholeheartedly agree. But, I gotta say that when I get to a race and soak in the whole atmosphere, I just love it. I love all the healthy people and I love the competitive atmosphere, and I love the mental aspect of 'how far can you go?', and I really just love pushing myself.

First things first...I PRed. I ran a 1:47:07. My previous PR 3 weeks ago had been 1:52:45, so I was pretty damn happy with that improvement.

I didn't know what to expect going into the race. I had been doing the vast majority of my training on a treadmill, and I knew I was getting faster on the machine, but I just didn't know if that would translate to a faster road race. I'm ecstatic that it did.

The course wasn't 'hilly', but it was by no means flat. There were countless inclines as we ran up and down highway over and under passes. It wasn't a pretty race. I've heard the Grand Concourse that we looped up and down is pretty in the spring, but in the winter it's kinda boring. I didn't really mind the lack of scenery though. I just wanted to see what I could do, and I did it.

My spoken goal was the break 1:50, and I crushed that. But, I had this inside I-can't-say-this-out-loud goal of perhaps running closer to 1:45, because that would prove that I had the slightest chance to qualify for Boston at the Los Angeles Marathon.

I know, I know. No one goes from running a 4:18 marathon to qualifying with a 3:40. That's why I've kept my mouth shut with this one. My original goal with this training and upcoming race was to break 4 hours, and I'm now very confident that I can do that. But, as you see yourself get faster, how do you not up your goal? How do you not keep pushing yourself to the next limit?

I don't think there is anything wrong with always upping the ante (because otherwise what's the point?), but what about the necessity of feeling happy that you reached a goal? Because, yesterday I was very happy that I broke 1:50, but I still kind of had this ache that made me wish I had just ran a bit faster. I know I could have. Definitely on a different course, with less wind and maybe a bit warmer temperature, but probably even on this course under the same circumstances. But, it doesn't matter, right? There will always be those doubts, and the important thing is that I had fun out there, regardless of the time.

For LA, I'm going to go out trying to break 4 hours and see what happens. If I'm easily running an 8:30 pace, I'll go with that (cause Boston requires 8:28 splits). If not, I'll be happy with the dramatic amount of progress I've made since November, because I really should be both happy and proud. Boston can wait until later.

And if even 4 hours doesn't happen? I'm still happy and proud. I've broken through to find something new within myself, and that's all I wanted anyhow.

And now, the ever-popular, all-inclusive....
SPLITS!

mile 1- 8:49 (dodge-city)
mile 2- 8:22
mile 3- 8:03
mile 4- 8:21
mile 5- 8:10
mile 6- 8:04
mile 7- 8:12
mile 8- 8:05
mile 9- 7:57
mile 10- 8:06
mile 11- 8:18
mile 12- 7:57
mile 13- 7:53
last .1- <:48 (I waited to stop my watch to avoid the 'stop-button-watch-picture' we're all so familiar with)

total: 1:47:07

The water stop miles? Still painfully obvious, and I couldn't help myself from stopping at almost every one. I didn't need it, but I was always scared that I would need it before I had another chance. Nutrition-wise, I also wish I had had a Gu with me, because I felt myself wanting something more than Gatorade by mile 8 or so. The miles with inclines or the ones that were against the wind might have been slightly slower and required more effort, but all in all what slowed me down most was the water stops. That should be relatively easy to fix, right? Any suggestions?

So, I guess that's the news from Lake Woebegone. I don't mean to be down on myself or the race; I had a blast running, and I can't wait for next time. And a PR by more than 5 minutes in a half marathon? I really am thrilled. All the questioning of one-self and hoping to go further and faster? That's the best part, I think. What else makes you examine yourself so completely in mind and body? Music does for me, but there is always room for another outlet. And what's more?

I love it.