Training
So this time I trained mostly by training for the Long Beach Marathon on October 11th that I am planning on racing. I added more rolling hills and occasionally mountains (iron mountain), and a few long runs. These helped a lot, in terms of my endurance. In addition, the super-long-runs to Del Mar and back (~4 hours including rest break) helped my endurance.
I drastically increased mileage and the overall intensity through some of the harder runs, but I have been slacking on the tempo runs as of late. I prefer running hard uphill or downhill, as tempo runs tend to be boring and flat, but fast. The speed is something I am unused to, and as such my running form tends to deteriorate rapidly as I sustain a fast speed.
Day of the Race
As I have been slacking on the tempo runs and my real goal is to achieve a Boston Marathon qualifying time, I really hadn’t planned on racing this one and trying for a new PR. However, with motivation from my running friends I decided to test myself. This course has the significant feature that it is mostly downhill, with a slight uphill during the last two miles.
I started out at a medium pace, and over the course of the first two miles sped it up. The more time I gain in the beginning, on the downhill, the more slack I would have in the end to meet my goal of 1:35.
The downhill was a piece of cake, and I earned a few minutes of slack towards my goal. The next part was just maintenance. After the initial four miles, it just had to keep my pace to make my goal. I breathed smoothly and realized, I could keep this up!
As I passed the airport and continued running, the view of the downtown San Diego skyline appeared in front of me. It is magnificent. I see it every time I drive to and from the airport, and it’s beautiful. I am at peace and it is a perfect day. I continued running.
Breathing is obviously an important part of running, and I often measure my performance and effort level based on how hard I’m breathing. At this stage of the game, my breathing was steady and not struggling or gasping, so I keep up my pace.
I made it to mile eleven, and then the uphill started. Just two more miles left, I thought to myself, I can push it a bit more. The uphill battle is starting to wear at me. I’m going quickly, and each breath gets harder.
The course turns into Balboa park, and I feel the finish line must be near. I start racing and sprint through the finish.
I surpassed my goal and had a time of 1:30:03. It was a perfect conditions for my new PR, with the cool but cloudy weather and a nice downhill course.
Tags: half-marathon
