Although I’ve been running seriously for about 3 years, I
really haven’t raced much, especially shorter distances. This is mainly because
it’s hard for me to justify paying $X amount of money for a race when I can
just run that distance on my own for free! Yet, I know racing is important
because it makes me step out of my comfort zone and pushes me to hit paces I
never would on my own. Plus I love everything about a race environment. The
competition, the energy of the crowds, the amazing feeling you get when you
cross the finish line knowing you’ve given it your all. So I’ve made a mission
to get comfortable with the uncomfortable and race more.
During my off-week of running after the Chicago Marathon,
what else was I supposed to do except sign up for races? I couldn’t wait to run again, so I eased
those post-marathon blues by entering some races. I went into the Hot Chocolate
15k with really no expectations. I had never raced a 15k, and honestly had no
idea what my pacing strategy would be. Its 4 miles shorter than a half
marathon, so I assumed I could run faster than my Half-Marathon PR pace of
6:40. However, I know I am capable of a faster Half-Marathon time, so I wasn’t
quite sure what my optimal pace should be. I spoke with my coach prior about
using this run as a tempo run and not pushing myself too hard, since I hadn’t
done any speed work since Chicago. It was honestly nice to go into this race
thinking I was doing a workout instead of racing, because it took some pressure
off. I also didn’t want to set my expectations too high because I had looked at
results from the prior years and the top 3 women all finished around 55
minutes. I knew I was not capable (yet) of running that fast. So, I set a goal
to run around 1:01, which is a 6:30 pace. I automatically would set a 15k PR,
so I was excited to just see what my legs could do.
I qualified for an elite status using my Chicago Marathon
time which was exciting, since I’ve never got to start at the very front for a
race. I got to do my warm-up, which
consisted of 5 minutes of slow jogging, drills, and a few strides, and then it
was go-time. Once the race began, everyone took off in what felt like a full
out sprint. I knew I had to hold back or else I would crash and burn toward the
end. There were several women ahead of me that first mile, but I knew I would
be able to catch them later.
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| Thankful for free race pics! |
Mile 1- 6:12
I went out a little faster than I expected but it was hard
not to get caught up in the excitement. There were also 5k runners in the mix
this first mile so I had no idea where I stood place wise.
Mile 2- 6:17
Still pretty fast and I was nervous I was screwing myself
over by not pacing strategically. But, I felt good and continued to push on. I
continued to pass several women (and men). Around mile 1.5 the 5k runners split
off and I realized I was the 3rd woman.
Mile 3- 6:27
I purposely tried to slow down during this mile because I
wanted to stay conservative enough during the first few miles so I could have a
good kick at the end. I saw the first place woman ahead as she acquired a bike
escort. I found myself running side-by-side with another woman and man this
entire mile. We came through 5k in 19:39 (6:20 pace).
Mile 4- 6:22
At this point I made a goal to stay around a 6:30 pace. I
had awful shin splints and my legs were getting tight. I mentally split this
race into segments, so the distance at this pace wouldn’t feel as daunting. I
was already 5k down and with only 2 more 5ks to go, I was confident I could
hold onto a 6:30 pace.
Mile 5- 6:29
Despite slowing down a little, the other two I was running
with dropped back. They must have really slowed because after about a half a
mile I found myself running completely alone. I quickly looked back and could
barely see them in the distance.
Mile 6- 6:33
My legs were feeling tired at this point but I was almost
halfway done! I came through the 10k at 39:44. I quickly smiled because I had
just broken 40 in the 10k (again), but this time I was in the middle of a race
and still had 3 more miles to go. Back in July I ran a 10k PR of 39:28, so it
was pretty exciting to know I was just 16 seconds off my PR. Now I’m wondering how
much faster I can run a 10k! I was running pretty much alone still with some
men passing me as I passed others. I kept 1st place female in my
sights and desperately tried to close the gap between us.
Mile 7- 6:23
The volunteers at this race were great! There weren’t many
spectators out on the course, but the volunteers gave me a huge surge of energy
every time I passed a water stop. It was fun hearing them cheer for me as 2nd
woman overall, as they encouraged me to keep running hard and fight to pass the
woman ahead of me. This was the first
time I realized that I would potentially break 60 minutes. I got this time in
my head and I started to visualize crossing the finish line with the clock at
59:xx. Then I laughed because just 3 weeks ago I had been hoping to run exactly
2 hours longer than this. And, here I was huffing and puffing dying to cross
that finish line.
Mile 8- 6:31
I was feeling very tired, both mentally and physically at
this point. I tried to surge but my legs said no. I told myself just hold on to
this pace and give it all you got that final mile. At this rate I knew that no
woman was going to pass me, so I settled for second place. I’m frustrated that I
let myself get into that mindset, as I am usually not one to settle due to my
competitiveness, but at mile 8 I was exhausted and just wanted to be done.
Mile 9- 6:10
Once I saw that last mile marker something switched in my
brain and I knew it was time to push. I did some mental math and knew it was
going to be close if I continued to run at a 6:30 pace, so I picked it up. I
saw 1st place ahead as I continued to close the gap. She looked like
she was slowing so I had a sliver of hope that I would out kick her in an epic
finish. Unfortunately I never caught up, but I was still very happy with that
final mile. It was my fastest mile of the day even though my legs were on fire.
I usually look at my watch multiple times during the last mile of a race, but
not this time. I kept looking ahead for that clock. I saw the woman in front of
me break the tape, and gunned it for the finish line. I congratulated the first
place woman and was amazed to find out she’s a mom of 4 young kids. She is such
a badass and definitely deserved the win. I waited around an hour in the cold
to get my prize. Not going to lie, it felt pretty cool stepping on the podium
and winning prize money (and a free massage!).
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| Official Results |
This race did not turn out as I had expected, but surprised
me in the best possible way! I did not think I would place in the top 3, so I
was grateful that no faster women showed up that day. Shorter distance races
are super intimidating, but they are definitely starting to grow on me.
Marathons hurt a lot, but usually not until the end. This race hurt pretty much
the entire time. Even though they are more painful for me; I think that I need
to continue to race shorter distances for a few reasons. They force me to set
big goals that scare me. Thinking about running faster than a 6:30 pace for 9.3
miles definitely gave me some anxiety. Yet, nothing felt better than crossing
that finish line knowing that I not only crushed that pace, but I felt that I
had more in me. It was also a great test of my fitness before I run CIM in a
few weeks. This week was my first higher mileage week coming off 2 recovery
weeks post marathon. My legs were nowhere near rested, so it makes me excited
to think of what I can do with fresh legs! I have way better endurance than I
do speed, but I think it is important for a successful marathoner to be well
rounded in both areas.
Overall, I am super proud of my efforts from this race and can’t
recommend this race enough! It was very well organized, with awesome medals,
and not to mention lots of free chocolate at the end. Shout out to my amazing
boyfriend for coming to the race with me and 6:30 in the morning and standing
out in the cold the whole time waiting for me to finish. He definitely deserved
to eat my chocolate fondue post-race J
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