Finally - A race in 2013!

After a slow start to the year running-wise and then waffling about this race or that race, it seems that I have settled on a schedule, at least until July.  After that, I've bounced around a few ideas in my head, but I'm taking  the "wait and see" approach for now.  I signed up for most of the key races for the year a few months ago, but was waiting to decide about Mt. Wilson.  When registration opened and closed within two hours, and I didn't have second thoughts about not registering or feel the slightest pang of regret, I knew that I had made the right decision.  Instead of Mt. Wilson on Memorial Day Weekend, I'll be running the Ojai-Ventura half-marathon which is a longer race but should be much easier to train for.  It is nice to have a schedule set and be able to focus on it!

Speaking of schedules, I was pretty happy with my training in February, but then March rolled around, and things, as they say, fell apart these past two weeks.  This usually happens in March, but particularly this year.  I've tried to take it in stride and enjoy the training that I've managed.  I was, however, looking forward to my first race of 2013 - the Great Race of Agoura Hills 10K.  This is a huge race, mainly because there are actually 4 different races going on: a trail half-marathon, a road half, a 10K and a 5K. Not to mention the kids' race.  I'd read good things about the race, and it worked out with my schedule - first day of spring break, first race of the season - why not?

My original plan for the race was to try for a PR.  I hadn't run a stand-alone 10K since November of 2011, and it happens to be one of my favorite distances.  Luckily I still had my 2011 race time which allowed me to "qualify" for Wave 1.  I think that they must have limited the number of people who were allowed to qualify, because I'm certainly no major speedster.  Still, I was glad that I ended up in that wave - it was so much smaller and easier to start and to maneuver.  But, back to my race plan.  At some point this week I decided that no way was I going to shoot for a PR.  I looked at the race profile, and it looked fairly hilly. Also, I didn't want to kill my legs and need one or two rest days (yes, I'm old; yes, I need rest days after a hard race).  In addition, Michael and I went out on Friday night and I had what must be the worst pre-race meal/s ever.  We started out with mussels and french fries and white wine, and then we ended the evening with pizza.  So, with all of that in mind, I woke up this morning taking the attitude that this would be a good way to push myself at a strong pace, but I didn't need to try to kill it.  Or myself.

Going with that attitude, I was pretty calm at the start - excited to actually be at a starting line after a 4 month hiatus!  I did wish for slightly warmer temperatures at the start and didn't shed layers until a few minutes before the race.

I love the yellow pants behind me - such a classy look!

At 7:28 (or thereabouts), we were off!  The beginning of the race is a on a descent, and people took off.  I looked down at my watch and noticed a faster pace than expected/desired, so I pulled back just a bit. I was at the back of the first wave, but I reminded myself that I wanted to pace the race, not have a great first mile and then fall apart at the end when the hills hit:

The first mile or two were pretty boring - typical suburban neighborhoods, but at some point in mile 2, we began to enjoy rolling hills and nice countryside - lots of wonderful oak trees and even some horsies!  Also, I felt great the first few miles and knew that there was a hill at mile 4, but once we were on the hill, I was able to easily keep my pace and pick off other people.  It made me quite grateful for the hills that I confront every time I head out on a run from our front door!  Finally, at mile 5, I decided to pick it up - there were still some hills remaining, but I was confident that I could keep a faster pace.  I almost regretted it when we hit yet another hill - the last one - but I managed to push it and ended just under 49:00. 

Michael snapped this awesome shot of me sporting my medal (can you tell that Dole sponsored this race?):

The medal and the t-shirt, by the way, are both pretty heinous.  Despite that, I would consider running this race next year because it really is a fun course.

After the race, Michael and I grabbed a 'real' breakfast at Brent's Deli, an old favorite which is in the area, and I inhaled eggs, toast, and hashbrowns.  We weren't the only racers/spectators who had this idea - I could tell because a few people were still wearing their awful medals.  (Not to offend anyone, but I find it so annoying when people wear race medals after the race if EVERYONE gets a medal.  If you won, fine, wear your medal, but if you just want attention, then it's lame! Okay, rant over, and maybe I'm alone in my opinion, but I'm okay with that too.  Same with people who don't try to wash off their numbers after a triathlon or cut off their wrist race wrist band for days.) 

My run wasn't a PR, but this is definitely a harder course than the flat-as-pancake race from which my current PR hails.  However, the course was not as hard as I expected, and a part of me wishes that I had tried for a PR.  Especially since I ended at 5th in my age group and maybe I would have ended at 4th or 3rd if I'd pushed myself a bit more.  Still, it was a good race, a good finish and a good overall place for me.

Ah well, ifs, maybes and buts.  At any rate, it feels good to finally line up at the starting line!

Running by numbers

So, I tried to cast all of my fears, doubts, worries from Saturday aside.
Yesterday morning, I woke up bright and early, 5:15, very appreciative of the extra hour of sleep.  The time change also meant that I wouldn't be driving south in the dark - double yay!  It was strange to head to the race as a driver - Michael is my one and only supportive crew, so I missed him yesterday morning!  I felt a bit stressed about the drive, the weather and about a bazillion other issues.  However, I made it pretty easily to Huntington Beach, aka "Surf City, USA", and a beautiful morning greeted me.  All I needed to do was wait and then run.
The race began promptly at 7:45.  While I tend to hang back and not worry about scoring a choice spot for the start, I knew that I wanted to actually RACE this 10K and not just run it.  There were two reasons pushing me to "race".  First of all, I ran the "Huntington Beach Distance Derby" last year and loved the experience.  At that time, it was a five mile race, so they changed the distance this year to a 10k.  With that in mind, I thought that it was possible that I could shave some time off my last 10k which was around the Rose Bowl.
So, I felt pretty anxious at the beginning of the run and tried to navigate that fine line between pushing myself enough to start out fast and strong but not run out of gas.  At a certain point in the first mile, I tried to refocus: not that I wanted to slow down, but I wanted to have a positive experience, even if it meant that I didn't run faster than the last time.  Eventually, after all, I will cease to run any faster, and I don't want every run (or race) to feel like a bitter disappointment because I can't continue to beat my last time.  So, I tried to center some of my thoughts on being thankful for being out and about on a gorgeous Sunday morning, running on PCH, which they had closed down for the race!  I occasionally took in the waves crashing along the beach, watched the surfers bob in the water, admired some of the dogs that were playing along PCH.
In the meantime, I also kept my focus on my pace.  It seemed like I had started out at a fast pace, and I hit Mile 1 around 7:30 or 8:00.  I wore my watch, but it's not digital, so I had to 'guesstimate' the time.  I knew, however, that it was 15 minutes at Mile 2.  For me, that is SUPER speedy!  It concerned me somewhat that I started out at a 7:30 pace, but the course was so flat that I couldn't help it.  I kept the pace, even for Mile 3 which did incline slightly, and at Mile 4, I looked at my watch - around 30 minutes?  "Holy crap!" was my main thought.  For miles 5 and 6, we had to turn around, and at that point, I felt the headwind.  No wonder the first two miles were so fast!  Also, the weather turned a bit and rain began to spit down on us.  Still, I felt great, and when I saw a woman who had passed me at the beginning, I realized that I was closing in!  At Mile 5, I decided to challenge her a bit - I pushed my pace and caught up with her and then slowed down for a bit while I ran right with her.  Then, I decided to push it just a bit more to see if she could keep up.  She couldn't!  Success!  I kind of feel like an asshole for finding it SO satisfying that I passed her.  But, she was definitely younger and she wore a t-shirt tucked into her leggings - I feel like only a real badass should sport such an 'outfit'.  And, if I passed her in mile 5, she obviously wasn't such a badass!
The last mile (or half mile) - I worried that I'd suddenly bonk in a big way, which would have devastated me.  That never happened, and I crossed the finish line at 47:30, running strong, even at the end.  I was super jazzed about my time because it is a PR for a 10K.  Mind you, this was a fast, flat race, so I'll tip my hat to the course, from which I definitely benefited.
Final thoughts?  I definitely enjoyed running in a somewhat familiar place that still feels like a "destination" with its beautiful scenery.  It was NOT, however, nearly as fun as the Lasse Viren run last weekend.  Maybe the focus on time and on a final "product" detracted from the overall experience?  Maybe I missed the social aspect that was such a treat before and after the race last week?  Maybe I missed being able to fully celebrate and share the experience with Michael?
These are interesting questions to ponder, especially as I think about the question:  Run vs. Race.
Do other people see a dichotomy between running vs. racing or am I alone in that?  It is definitely fun to actually feel that I've "competed" (in my limited definition of the term), but I'm not sure if a pure focus on numbers (speed, mileage and whatnot) will continue to leave me fulfilled.