Sunday 29 April 2012

 

This was not one of my best races in recent history. And I truly felt awful.  More on that later, but I did finish in 1:45:04 which comes out to a 10:30/mile pace. 

Saturday night I slept fairly well, though I probably stayed up too late watching the rest of Forrest Gump. I love that movie.  I woke at 6:30 without the alarm and started getting ready.  Typical Colorado spring morning – chilly with a forecast for sun and increasing temperatures.  In this kind of weather I always struggle with choosing running clothes! Long sleeve? Short? Crops? Tights? Shorts?  Gah.  I ended up with my black Lululemon shorts and my green Under Armor short sleeve shirt.  And at mile 2, I was happy with that choice despite being a bit chilly at the start.

Around 2000 of the 10,000 race participants opted for the 10 mile course, and we started at 7:45 (the 5 milers and 5k started around 9:15 or 9:30).  I kept a good, easy, 9ish pace for awhile and I felt really good.  But I started to feel dizzy and lightheaded and just… weird around mile 5.  I’m going to go ahead and blame Claritin D for that.  I’ve been taking it for a few weeks now, and I do feel really weird on it. The pseudoephedrine is jacking me up – rapid heart rate, anxiety – but its the only thing that works right now.  *sigh* 

The second half of my race really suffered.  I saw Carol and Miles (so cute cheering on the runners!) at mile 7. I stopped for a minute to chat and kiss my little guy (so cute that he started to run after me!).   Really, the rest of the race was a blur.  I kinda just wanted to get to the finish and go home. 

I really wanted to enjoy this race because I really do like it. The 10 mile course was new this year, and I liked the route through Cheesman Park and down 7th Ave.  This race is fun with a lot of runners and great support.  Its too bad I didn’t do well and I didn’t feel well. 

Lessons Learned:

• no Claritin D!
• don’t forget gels or blocks!
• start slow and build my pace
• totally dressed appropriately