**Time posted is a complete guess.No official time and no watch to boot, will post later today.
Isn't a big part of racing about strategy? When you're going to push it, when to hold back, who to stay with, how to pass, when to pass, running the tangents, when to surge... That's what I thought after a group of girls formed a circle around me just after the finish. A wolf pack showing their fangs! The first one says, "Hi what's your name?" I responded. "Well Tara, how come you didn't lead the race?" Instead of going into detail about my injury, fitness level and hopes to be able to run the entire thing, I opted for a simplified answer, " I just tried to hold on today and do the best I could." The next one chimes in from behind. "Yeah, but that makes it harder mentally on the leader." Another one adds, "Just go in front next time!" I reply, "No I don't think so, I don't like to lead early on, it's too much pressure and scary on a course like this, you don't know what the end..." Another cuts me off "Yeah, well, that's not fair, you make someone else do all the hard work!" And with that they all ran off in a group as they each took turns turning their heads while delivering a well seasoned stink eye, I must say. Wow. That was a first. I sat their stunned for a few moments and thought about running after them for further clarification but was pressed for time and needed to run home to relieve the sitter. However thinking about it, it would appear the issue might have been wasting too much energy on intimidation rather than competitive racing.
Turning back the clock... I spent the early morning hours in bed listening to the wind and wondered how it would impact the race today. I drove to Ogden and began warming up. I already had some doubts when my Garmin died after a night of recharging. I hate that watch. Warmed up about 1.5 miles and stopped with the feeling I was on borrowed time with my ankle, so left it at that.
The race started out well. Since I was running blindly, I threw time out the window knowing wind and hills would be exigent. I made a strategy early on to run with the leader until I felt comfortable taking the lead. Then I would sprint to the finish in a dual competition. That was the plan. I ran comfortably behind the first girl for the first 4 miles- with gaps ranging 2-5 seconds. It felt relaxed and easy, but I also knew what was to come. The first 3 miles were pretty downhill with a tailwind. The last 3 were back up the hill with a greedy headwind, especially the last 1.5.
At 4 miles, she turned around and deliberately moved to the side as she motioned me to pass her. We were all alone on the street at that moment, and I took that as a "stop drafting off me!" cue. Dually noted, I took turns drafting off of her and other men, and others did the same to me. All is fair in my eyes... so I passed her and took the lead, but knew she would pass me again as we were approaching the last 1.5 climb to the finish.
The wind was strong and I wanted to walk. At the top of the hill she had gained about 50+meters on me and I was tired! My heart felt like it was going to explode. It was apparent I was not conditioned for this today. I decided to resign my plan and let her take it. I didn't think I could gain back that ground either with about 400 meters left and feeling complete leg fatigue. I kept my eyes focused just in front of me as several guys passed. I looked up again and thought she looked closer than before....maybe there was a chance. I put it in double drive X10 and sprinted to a 1st place finish, maybe only a few seconds ahead (no watch or results yet). Yes!
I immediately felt dizzy and sat on the curb to get myself together. Several men approached me, all commenting the same, "You looked like death up that hill", " I didn't think you were going to make it!" Wow, you looked tired!" Then to top it off, the wolf pack confrontation.
Here's my two second soap box -> Every competitive runner has a strategy, and if you don't, then you're goals are different. I don't tell people how to run their race, don't tell me how to run mine. Rant over. What do you think? All comments and opinions are welcome:)
Next race is a 10 miler. The strategizing begins.....
I'll post the time after the results come out later today. I am guessing around 43? Felt like 6:55ish pace for most of it. No clue.
Happy running!
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