Monday: 20m upper body

Tuesday: 6.9m 8:06/pace

It’s about that time to share with you the race day details! Usually I need a week to absorb the race, reflect, plan and hello…Celebrate!! This was a huge PR for me (3 minutes and 18 seconds!) and I’ve been enjoying a week off from running to revel in racing success.

So let’s jump right into it!

At the start during mile 1 my body was relaxed, but I felt like this pace was too easy for what I wanted to do that day. I figured this would be my warm up mile since I didn’t have much time to actually do a warm up. I figured you can’t bank time and i’d pick up the pace as the crowds fell. My first mile beeped at 7:54, I could have swore it was a 9:30/pace, so my heart jumped and I kept repeating, “I CAN PR TODAY.”

Shortly after I found some space and sped up, I overheard a couple who were talking about their pacing strategy and the guy said, “We’re at a 7:16/pace I think this is a good pace…” I couldn’t agree more and I kept up with them until the marathon & 1/2 split at mile 7. I didn’t realize they were running a full marathon at that pace! It was slightly deflating, but at the same time, I was running my own race and just used their calm, even pacing as inspiration.

I felt really good at a 7:15-7:25 pace and basically tried following the tangents as best as I could while enjoying the music playing. I can honestly say I felt really great this entire race. Then I saw the number 8 spray painted on the asphalt and remembered i still had a ways to go. This is when i juuuuust started feeling tired.  This gave me a lot of confidence cause usually i’m blowing up by mile 9 or 10 and struggling and slowing to the finish.

After a quick body check–>legs felt good, posture good, tunes good…I decided it was time to work. I picked up the cadence and focused on getting to mile 10 and then pushing the final 5k.  I kept positive by focusing on my goals and trying to keep a soft smile on my face as often as I needed.

I couldn’t maintain much of a smile during those last 2 miles. I was incredibly uncomfortable, but I refused to slow down. I pumped my arms so my legs would have to keep up. I kept repeating, “don’t stop when you’re tired, stop when you’re done.” and “You’re not slowing down, your brain is just getting tired” both mantras helped me continue until the final right turn toward the finish.

And just as the wheels were coming off, and my legs were hurting so bad I couldn’t feel them I heard my best friend, Marie yell out, “CORRII!!” I turned my head and they were right there watching me in the final stretch. I can’t describe how badly I needed to hear a familiar voice of encouragement because I felt like I was slowing down and the finish line was a bad dream where you’re running but you aren’t going anywhere.

Across the finish line where my legs finally got to rest, everything felt fantastic. I have never crossed a finish line more proud, elated and satisfied. I’ve been searching for that feeling of running a smart, but left it all on the course, race.

I started this race with my head, and finished with my heart. As cheesy as that comes off, it’s how I will forever race, running with my head then with my heart.

And of course shortly after the race I had a burger & beer with Marie 🙂

I have a ton of thoughts and a few reasons why I’m so thrilled with the outcome of this race:

-There was no pain in my IT band, or any area for that matter.

-I did the first 4 miles in under 30 minutes (something i’ve always wanted to do) and the first 10k in 46:34 (my best 10k ever)

-I negative split the course. I haven’t done this in YEARS.

-I broke into the top 100 female of a major race. This was a dream goal…

-3:18 off of my 1/2 time is a huge step toward someday getting under 1:30 and qualifying for Boston.

88th Female, 19th in age group 1:36:07 7:19/pace 

What are your go-to mantras!

Have you had a “best” race?