Running High to Running Low

I sprinted down the home stretch.

August 3rd marked my fourth half-marathon since I ran my first one less than a year ago, and I am happy to report that it was my best time yet!  We took part in the Tacoma Narrows Half Marathon, a hilly course that began at the Tacoma Narrows Airport in Gig Harbor, crossed the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, included a lap around Cheney Stadium, and finished near Tollefson Plaza in Downtown Tacoma.   

Here are my stats: overall time= 1:52:13, pace= 8:33 per mile, place out of 30-34-year-old women= 17th out of 83, place out of female runners= 67th out of 468, and place out of all male/female finishers= 206th out of 794. 



We proudly display our medals at the finish line.

I was very pleased with my pacing on this race.  Pacing has continuously been a struggle for me.  With so much adrenaline and determination pumping through me at the start line, I often start out full-force with sub-8-minute miles that are difficult for me to sustain.  By mile 10, I’ve usually run out of gas.  However, this time, I stayed very close to the 8:30 pace throughout the 13.1 miles.  I finished feeling strong and remarkably energized.

This pacing success boosted my running ego, and I was finally feeling confident about the upcoming full marathon... But that didn't last long!   Exactly one week after the Tacoma Narrows Half Marathon, I had one of my worst runs yet.

I set out for a 16-mile run early Saturday morning with a running group.  I had been dealing with an upset stomach and perhaps was already dehydrated, yet I didn't feel that crummy... until we started moving.  I struggled with keeping up with my running partners and eventually had to ask them to continue on without me.  I soon was walking (walking is the runner's ultimate shame!), and every ailment I've ever had  seemed to be conspiring against me (my foot, my hamstring, my calf, my knee, etc.).  My stomach hurt; I had horrible side aches; I urgently needed to find a restroom; and I found myself spiraling down a path of negativity. 

I got lost after attempting to trek on for several miles by myself and tried to make a collect phone call (from a pay phone) to ask Issac to come and pick me up, although I was informed that collect calls cannot be made to cell numbers.  I thought about asking strangers to use their cell phones, although I was sweating so profusely that I was certain they would want me anywhere near their fragile devices.  I ultimately pulled myself together and was able to run home-- only to discover that I was locked out.  (My keys and phone were a few miles away, where I'd parked my car to meet-up with the running group that morning).  It had been over 3.5 hours since I'd first departed for the run.  I felt the complete opposite of strong and energized; I felt fully defeated.

As I reflect about these contrasting experiences, I accept that I'll have both good and bad running days.  I can't expect that every run will be my best, and I'll need to push through all of the physical and psychological challenges to keep at it -- even when it's not pleasant to do so.  I'm just crossing my fingers that October 6, 2013 will be a "good" running day for me.  Let the mental pep talks begin!