I swear, this Ironman might be the death of me. That or I just need to get used to the long days of training really fast! :) I'm telling you - it's totally kicking my butt. I love the training, I'm feeling strong and fit, but I can't keep my eyes open! And with 111 days to go, that's not a good thing! :)
I did something cool this weekend - I ran a 5k with a first time runner. I remember my first race. I was nervous as could be. I didn't know where the number was supposed to go or how to attach the chip to my shoe. What do I wear? What do I eat? I'm telling you, it was so stressful! My BFF's husband has been following a training program to get him to the Mother's Day 5k. About a month ago, he asked if I'd run it with him and from then on, I kind of played the check in role - he'd check in with me, I'd check in on him. He was doing great and I knew that the race would be no different.
Saturday came and Gabe was a little nervous. I have to admit, I was a bit nervous to. I've never paced someone. What if I run too fast and he dies? What if he hates racing and never wants to speak to me again? We lined up at the start and I told him that we'll keep about an 8:45 pace and to let me know how he feels. He agreed. The siren sounded and we were off. First mile... 8:12. YIKES - I'm not meant to be a pacer, that's for sure - pure rookie mistake of getting caught up in the excitement and the downhill portion of the course! Poor Gabe, but I looked at him and he was doing great. I kept telling him that. He didn't answer. Asked him how he was doing and he muttered fine. We slowed the second mile down and got into a groove. Around 2.5 he turns to me and says "I might need to walk". And then it happened.
I looked at him and sternly said "No, you won't walk. We're almost there. You can do it."
End of discussion! :) And you know what, it worked. He ran the whole thing, finished in 26:30, and when asked about the race, tells everyone "I wanted to walk but Colleen wouldn't let me". Hehehe... that's what I'm here for! He wants to keep running which is awesome, but I have a feeling he won't be asking me to run with him again! :)
I came home and ended up signed up for a 10k. A stand alone 10k. The only 10k's I've ever done come after a .9 mile swim and a 24.8 mile bike. I'm excited, although I have no clue how to pace it out or what I should be able to run. It's in a month so I have time to work on it. Then tri season starts!
Hopefully between now and then I feel rested! Shouldn't hold my breath for that one! :)
10 comments:
aw, im sure Gabe loved that you ran with him! what great motivation! youre gonna kick butt at the 10k, you have been knocking out some great run times, so i have no doubt you will do awesome!
I have no idea what my pace is until I see my mile splits. I would be a terrible pacer! Good for you for getting a new runner through his first race!
I was in the same boat as you last fall. The only 10K's I had ever done were in a tri. I did some reading on a standalone 10K and it basically boiled down to that its still a short enough distance that its gonna hurt from start to finish. I basically gunned it from the start and held on as best as I could to the end. I PR'ed! Good luck!
That's awesome! I'm so proud of Gabe. That's a great pace. I have only in the last month been able to break a 8:43 pace!!! I'm sitting comfortably at a 9:43 pace for a 5k. Guess that will have to do for now. :-(
YAY on the 10k. You can do it!!!!!
The 10k is going to be super fun...I mean, how can it NOT be? Stevi and I will be there! AND there's pancakes afterward :D
awesome! colleen the pacer. The first race is always the hardest for them. and he still turned in a good time!
i've never done a standalone 10k either, but it's a goal to freaking try one someday.
how fun to run that race with a first timer! Who knows, maybe he has a tri in his future!
I can't seem to keep my eyes open training for a half marathon...your amazing! Keep up the Good Work! =)
Stand alone 10k?
You mean to tell me that there are people in this world that run without riding their bikes 112 miles first?
Wow this really is a strange world!
Awesome. Being a pacer sounds like fun. I would like to try being a pacer for some ultra runners to start learning the ultra ways.
get girl. i guess the training load is started to add up. :) i would love to ride the course with you sometime! it's so pretty out there!
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