Sunday, August 28, 2005

Run Nancy Run!

Wow!

When I left the house it was a torrential downpour. When 3900 of us (or so) gathered for the start of the Annapolis Ten Miler next to Navy-Marine Corps Stadium, it sprinkled on us. Then not a drop for the entire race! We were lucky indeed! So while the humidity was maxed out, the temperature was much cooler than usual for this race, which helped a lot.

I ran well! Started sensibly with the first three (mostly downhill) miles in the 11 mpm range, then slowed once I hit those wicked hills as I anticipated. One Carb-Boom and a Succeed cap just after the 3 mile mark, and another dose of both just after the 6 mile mark, and I stayed well-hydrated at the frequent water stops along the way. I didn't care for the taste of the two Carb-Booms that I tried (orange-vanilla and apple cinnamon) but at least they didn't make me gag.

I worked hard for a finish time (on my watch) of 2:01:24. How hard? My average heart rate for the entire race was 175 beats/minute. I glimpsed a reading of 181 on the heart rate meter on the final cruelly steep uphill toward the finish line, even though I was trying my best not to look at it then. :-) (So much for the old "220 minus your age" for maximum heart rate estimation - that yields only 172 for me!)

That's my 2nd fastest ten miler, and more than a minute per mile better than my three previous outings in this race! Yay!! I think I could have gone a little faster if my legs were fresh, but my old hamstrings still felt a bit stiff from the 30 miles on the bike 2 days ago. But just like that day, what a difference 10 degrees makes! So I'll count that as a pretty darned good training weekend and take a full rest day again tomorrow. Ahhhhh!!!!!



Hmmm. I just noticed that there were only 3867 finishers - and yet entries were capped at 5000. Wow, over 22% no-shows and non-finishers!?!? Amazing.

12 comments:

Downhillnut said...

Dawn and I volunteered at an itty bitty 5 & 10 miler this morning. If we had run the 5 miler we each would have PLACED in our age groups! Ah well...

GREAT job on your strong performance!

Dr. Iron TriFeist :) said...

That's a great effort, long ride or not. Sorry I couldn't keep the rain away. They must have changed the steps to the rain dance.

Recovering Alumni said...

Way to go! Glad the weather cooperated for you.

Nancy Toby said...

Well, if they don't give refunds, you might as well *start*, right?

You can still make some progress with a couple of long swimming practices. I'd say rest up from running, maybe do a short bike ride or two, and try to get in 1 or 2 long swimming sessions in the next 7-10 days.

GOOD LUCK!!!

N

Holly said...

Well done Nancy! :)

tri-mama said...

Awesome run Nancy! I can't believe you are still going in the humidity. I guess you have to just get used to it, but I'd be tapped out by now.

Maybe if we ignore Terence he'll just get bored and go away.

MB said...

good job!

:) said...

You rock!

Chris said...

Great effort, Nancy! Isn't it awesome when the weather gives us a little break? :)

Lynne said...

Simply Awesome!

Nancy Toby said...

Thanks, everyone! I love this time of year when you get a big performance boost from cooler temperatures - it almost makes those gruesome hot summertime workouts worth it! ;-)

*jeanne* said...

WTG!!!

I thought about you and the other A-10ers while I was in Jupiter for the wedding. Glad you all got a break in the weather (Man...it was MISERY down in Florida for me and Jamie. Melt-down time!)

I was VERY sad to miss the A-10...but sometimes other priorities win out!