It ain't Chinese algebra!

Another weekend, another race, and another good experience.  My confidence for a decent marathon in December is growing, which is the best thing to take away from this morning.  This morning was the 1st Grants Pass Half Marathon, 10K, 5K and when I heard the winner received winter running gear, as well as a tech shirt and gloves to every participant, I figured the price was right to race.

It was fairly cool this morning in GP, around high 30's-low 40's with just a bit of moisture in the air.  I couldn't decide what to wear, but went with a long-sleeve shirt and gloves which was about right.  After a 2 mile warm-up, we lined up to start the race.  I had 3 goals before the race; 1) win, 2) in the slowest time possible, 3) with each mile under 6:00/pace.  The first 2.2 miles were like a typical HS cross country course on grass, wood-chip trails, bike trails, wooden bridges and around many tight corners.  From that point on we ran on a highway that consisted of rolling hills and stretches of pancake flat roads.

I ran with another guy through the first 3 miles at a comfortable pace.  For the next 3 miles, once per mile I would surge for 30 seconds and increase the gap between the two of us.  The pick-ups felt pretty good and it broke up the miles mentally.  I thought if nothing else it would mess with the other guys head a bit.... :)  Around mile 8 both of my hamstrings felt rather tight and possibly strained?  I didn't want to push the pace any harder, but at least maintain and finish off the run without a hint of an injury.  I pushed my last mile to see what I had left and was able to hit a 5:09, so that built the confidence a bit. The final .1 took us back onto the grass and across the start/finish line where they had chocolate milk waiting for the finishers (why don't all races provide this?  It was awesome!).

Anyway, so I pushed it harder than I originally planned but that seems to happen to me every time I race.  It's hard for me to slow down when I get caught up in the 'excitement' of the race.  At the same time, I don't think I 'gave it everything I had,' but that's okay.  I ran faster @ the Bryce Canyon Half Marathon in 2006 by 7 seconds, but I think I'll count this as a PR for a couple reasons.  It wasn't a blazing downhill; it was a loop course that started and finished at the same spot so no net elevation gain/loss.  Perhaps I could have gone a bit faster had I tapered some or if I hadn't ran 70 miles this week (my highest ever).  Not a big deal though....  I just looked at this as a training run for Sacramento.  2.5 miles to cool down and my hamstrings feel better now, so hopefully it's nothing, but I'll keep my eye on them.  So I met 2 out of 3 goals.  I won and kept each mile under 6:00/pace, but I could have slowed down some, but again, I get caught up in the race and have a problem not racing.

Type A (40)  Shoes feel good enough that I'll consider them for the full 26.2

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