Hi friends! Coming at you today with a training update AND a RACE RECAP from my first (and likely only) race of 2021!
I kept an 18 year “racing” streak alive by running in the Battleship 12k (7.45 miles) a couple weeks ago. Over the last (almost) two decades, there have been years where I have only run one race, years where I have run over 20 races and years of everywhere in between. While there is still some time left in 2021, I have a feeling like will be a “one and done” year for me. I debated whether or not to even run a race this year (more on that to come), but decided that the chance of regret was really only present if I decided not to run, as I rarely (if ever) regret actually participating in race.
Before we get to the race part, let’s back up a tad and take a look at what my training has looked like since we last chatted.
Training Update
About a month or so ago (mid-October), which is coincidentally exactly where my last post left off, running stopped feeling quite as “good” as it used to. There were good days sprinkled in, but there were also some days that were just not pleasant and those days made me question why I was really even still trying to run every day. My main observation was that it was taking me much longer than to recover than it usually does. Given the fact that my body is doing A LOT of other things (you know, like growing a human), I guess this makes sense! Isn’t it annoying when logic and common sense mess up your plans? Ha.
My lower back and groin were also getting very sore after each run. I talked to my doctor about this and he basically told me that it would be strange if I wasn’t having at least a little bit of discomfort. He also said that as long as I wasn’t having contractions, it was fine to continue running. This made good sense, but later I started wondering what exactly a contraction feels like and if I would even know if I was having them. Things that make you go hmm … Once I experience them I will probably look back on this and laugh, but I mean how do you know until you know?!
I decided that the best plan would be to only run every other day and to sprinkle in some other forms of cross training on the in between days. The elliptical has actually become quite enjoyable, which has not always been the case in the past. Thankfully I have no pain before, during or after the elliptical! I like to “pretend” that I am running when I am on the elliptical and I keep up with my splits, etc. like I would in a race or workout. The time flies by and I really feel like I am getting in a solid workout. My elliptical “PRs” are a 32:58 10k, a 51:20 10 miler and a 1:10:46 half marathon. I mean, if only I could run that fast! As silly as it sounds, I’ve actually gotten a lot “faster” on the elliptical over the last month. It’s rewarding to see progress, which is one of the main things that I have always loved about running. Hopefully my cross-training fitness will translate back over into some postpartum running fitness. We shall see!
A typical week at this point looks something like 20-25 miles of running, 5-10 miles of walking and 25-30 miles on the elliptical. Oh! And one 45 minute session of Reformer Pilates! I’m still enjoying that as well. I am not pushing the pace whatsoever on the run. I’m running about 1:30 to 2 minutes per mile slower on my easy runs than I did pre-pregnancy and I also sprinkle in walk breaks periodically (if I feel like I need it). Interestingly enough, according to Garmin, my VO₂ Max is only down about 5 points from my “peak” in the Fall of 2019 and Spring of 2020. I have no idea if this is true or not, so take it with a grain of salt, but for now I am just going to pretend that it is accurate and be happy about it!
With all that being said, I know that my fitness is still decent, but I am not willing to push myself on the run. This made the decision of whether or not to “race” last weekend a bit tricky. Basically it came down to an issue of pride. Could I show up to a local race knowing that I am a) not going to give it my all and b) not going to win? The decision was harder than I would like to admit and more freeing than I realized it could be!
Race Recap
The Battleship 12k is a patriotic run on Veterans Day weekend to honor those who serve our country. I’ve run this race twice in the past (2016 & 2017). It’s a great race that supports a great cause! The race starts on the Eastern Shore of Mobile Bay, runs across the Bay on the Causeway and finishes at the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park.
My race plan was this:
- Have fun!
- Enjoy the beautiful weather (sunny and 43 degrees!).
- Be thankful to be able to run.
- Be appreciative of our veterans.
- Bonus points to be awarded if I made it the entire way without needing a potty break (IYKYK).
Race day morning was quite different from what typical race day mornings have looked like in years past. I picked up my packet the day before the race, which meant that I didn’t have to arrive earlier than necessary on race day. I had no plans of drinking coffee or eating anything pre-race. There’s too much going on in my tummy as it is and unfortunately, I have discovered that the only way to run semi-comfortably is with nothing extra in my stomach. There was also no pre-race warm up on the agenda, as running 7.5 miles without stopping was going to be a feat in and of itself! With all that being said, I woke up around 6:45 and left the house just after 7 for an 8 a.m. race start. Once I got to the race start and found parking, the only other task to complete was to wait in line for the porta potty. The lines looked to be extremely long, but thankfully moved really fast. I made it to the start line with a minute or two to spare.
Lining up on the start line was definitely a bit strange. Instinctively, I went up towards the front of the corral before realizing that I had no business being up there. I expected to run just at or slightly under an 8 minute per mile pace, which would be a good bit slower than the lead runners, who I figured would run just under 6 minute per mile pace. I moved back several rows and hoped that I was far enough back that I wouldn’t have to run faster than what felt comfortable to avoid getting trampled.
The race has a gentle downhill start, which is really nice! I had to hold myself back a little bit during the first mile. The pace felt effortless, but we were running downhill and we had 6.5 more miles to go! My first mile split was 7:37. I thought about trying to maintain that pace the rest of the way, but I wasn’t sure if that was going to work out or not. I didn’t want to overextend myself or crash and burn, so I decided to go ahead and slow my roll a little bit.
Miles 2 through 5 were fairly uneventful. There aren’t a lot of spectators along the course, but you are running across the bay, so there is plenty of water and scenery to take in. We had to go over a few small bridges with only a very slight incline, but we also got to go back down the other side of each incline, which made it nice. I chatted with people almost the entire way. Some were people I have known for years and some were runners from out of town. The common question among the people that I knew was, “What are you doing back here?” Ha. The common question among the people that I didn’t know was either, “Do you mind if I pace off of you?” I was happy to be consistently ticking off the miles and more than happy to have people to run and chat with! My splits were 8:01, 8:09, 8:08 and 8:10 for those 4 miles.
Once we passed mile 5, I picked the pace up a little bit. Aside from being very overdressed, I felt amazing! The low the morning of the race was mid-30s, but it warmed up to mid-40s before the race even started. I’m pretty sure it was closer to mid-50s towards the end of the race. I definitely dressed warmer than I would have if I had been running harder, but even still I’m pretty sure I could’ve done without the gloves, the ear warmers and the long sleeve top. Miles 6 and 7 were 7:21 and 7:02 and my last half mile was 6:52 pace. I was thrilled to able to run those paces and not be out of breath at all. Woo! I was on a runner’s high after that for sure!
At mile 7 we turned into Battleship Park and there were volunteers at the last water stop handing out American flags for us to run in with. I really love this thoughtful detail. It’s really special to carry a flag across the finish line. I loved the race again this year and I would highly recommend it to anyone (near or far). There are so many men and women that sacrifice their lives to protect our freedom. Participating in a patriotic event on Veterans Day weekend is a wonderful reminder of just how much we have to be thankful for.
I finished in a time of 57:52 (7:46 pace) as the 122nd overall finisher and 28th female finisher. Going into the race, I honestly thought that I would be unhappy with however I placed, but as it turns out I proud of myself for getting out there and getting it done regardless of time and placement. I’ve always known that there is more to running than times, paces and breaking finish line tapes, but this race definitely helped to reiterate why I love this sport.
I got to visit with friends briefly after the race, which was also an added bonus of doing the race. It seems like everyone’s lives have gotten so busy or perhaps it’s just that we’ve just settled into our own routines and we rarely see each other any more. I guess this is somewhat of a natural progression as life changes, kids get older, etc., but it also makes the times when we do get to hang out (even briefly) all the more meaningful.
I hope you guys have a wonderful week! Have you ever run an odd race distance?