Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Look Out For Those Darn Bunnies!

March 3 I did the Chili Half Marathon in Burlington, On.  It was very chilly at -5 with a windchill that made it feel like -15.  Race starts are always exciting but this one started along the lake and I thought - this is flippin cold!  Despite that there were a few runners wearing shorts! 

I eventually warmed up but can't really say I had a great race.  I didnt train really hard for this race and was a bit worried about my time.  But this race was not supposed to be a fast one but a goal to keep me running through the lovely, toasty months of January and February.  

I ran into a friend at the start of the race and he said he was just using this race as a practice run for his next race.  I saw him at the halfway point of the race and he was smiling ear to ear.  He was obviously enjoying himself and taking it all in.

I usually do that but not this time.  I kept watching people faster than me and thought - dang it why are they faster than me?  I stared at their feet and tried to copy their stride.  Quicker, lighter steps.  No, lift your feet higher.  I got frustrated with myself.  Enough already stop obsessing and enjoy the race and admire the beautiful houses in Burlington.  I did for a bit but then found myself staring at feet again.  Ugh! 

A sign someone was holding stressed me out even more.  "Pain is temporary but internet results are forever."  Yikes....get moving!  My ego can't take a bad half marathon time forever! 

Ottawa Pace Bunny
The problem was I started out with a faster pace bunny than I should have.  I know,  I've made this mistake before. I should have ran with the 1:55 bunny but my eyes got too big for my feet and I moved up to the 1:50 spot.  Well the result was I struggled through the whole thing, people were constantly passing me and the 1:55 bunny passed me with only 2 kilometers to go. 

There's nothing more discouraging than a bunny passing you.  You feel defeated and you suddenly feel heavier and move in slow motion.   Darn you bunny!  I'll get you!  But I couldn't catch the little bugger.

I managed to squeak in with a chip time of 1:55:57.  Take that bunny! I was happy, it sounds sooo much better than 1:56.  My stats were pretty good too coming in 29th in my age category of 201 women 50-54.

But I didn't run my own race.  I was trying to run everyone else's race.  I do that a lot.  Instead of being happy and proud of my own accomplishments I look at everyone else's.  I need to take a chill pill, do the prep work, be confident and just do my best.  Enjoy the race,  my own race.

Now I really need to go and do some fartleks, tempo runs and speedwork.  Next time I'll get that bunny!