So, let me give you the run down….
The only time I’ve been less prepared for a race was last September when I ran the Blackmores Sydney Half Marathon after two weeks off running with the Flu (which turned out to be Glandular Fever). On that day, I was convinced I’d battle to complete the race in under two hours. I finished in (at that stage) a PB time if 1:28. On that day, I ran with no expectation other than to complete the race and have some fun. Yesterday’s race was much the same, but without the PB result.
But where does success lie? In the result or in the effort?
In the past, I would have answered ‘result’ in a heartbeat. But the only thing we can really control during a race is our effort and our thoughts. Yesterday, I managed both, and for me that’s a brilliant result.
On Saturday (Race Eve), I felt amazing. My body was well rested, well nourished and well hydrated. I felt stronger that I ever had going into a race, but was well aware that my training had been disrupted, inconsistent and my endurance was not where it needed to be. But boy was I prepared to race, race hard, and fight to the finish.
My plan was to run the SMH Half Marathon at a consistent pace (4:17/km) and try to target a ninety minute race. But I knew that the first two kilometres were down hill, so I let my body go and focused on keeping my effort lower than usual and just let the decline do its work. Despite this, my first two kilometres were 3:54 and 3:53. I actively slowed my pace and maintained, what felt like, a comfortable pace (between 4:08 – 4:17) until about 15km. At half way (10.55km), I had around forty seconds up my sleeve, but was well aware that I was in for the fight of my life over the final third. My lack of training, was starting to show, and I was ill equipped to manage the 710m of elevation on which I would normally thrive. Under normal circumstances, I’m lightweight and fast over the hills, but at kilometres fifteen and sixteen, the hills had me almost running backwards!
Going into the race I had three goals, no looking back, no watch checking, and run with my heart. Two out of three isn’t bad. I did check my watch, but this time, not to be concerned (and mentally beat myself up) if my pace dropped, just more to stay in control of my pace and not go too quickly in the front half (of which I’m usually very guilty).
At kilometre seventeen, I was prepared for the slow climb up Macquarie St, and I started to feel strong again. I pushed when I could and relaxed as much as possible as I passed the finishing area and headed into the Botanical Gardens and up towards Mrs Macquarie’s Chair. Aware that I was falling off the pace, I gave it everything I could and everything I had left. As the back ninety minute pacer (my Sydney Strider buddy, Chris Jackson) caught me with less than a kilometre to run, I initially shook off his shouts of support (“Come on, Greeny!”), I was pretty much done. But then I decided to go, and go hard. When someone offers you an opportunity, you take it.
With a few hundred metres to go, I passed him and picked myself up to a sub four minute pace as I surged towards the finish line. I beat the ninety minute pacer, but came across in 91 minutes. Not a PB time, not by a long shot. But a PB effort and that’s what really counts.
The upside: If I can nail 91 minutes at my worst, I am excited to see what I can do in six weeks on a flat track on the Gold Coast. But once again, my focus will be on effort, not on result.
I was incredibly proud of my efforts yesterday, but what gave me even greater joy was watching my running buddy and coaching charge (victim?) Ralph (@rundezvousralph) run a 1:38:51 (an 11 minute PB).
Mental toughness, heart and grit – they were a winning formula yesterday, and will continue to drive my racing throughout 2018.
The Rundown 