I stopped after the 12k run today at Blackwater Duathlon. Those folks were tough and fast - at 1 mile into the run (that I hit at 9:59) the other women looked like they were all a half mile or more in front of me! (Only I and one other woman finished the first 12k at a pace slower than 10 min/mile).
It was just too freaking hot for my state of fitness. I couldn't keep my heart rate under 170 and still jog. Too early in the day to race with a higher heart rate than 170, with 40 miles on the bike and 5 miles in the run yet to go. I had to keep dropping to a walk to get the heart rate under control. Started gettting goosebumps. I finished 12k in 1:23 (12:22 min/mile) with each mile dramatically slower than the last (plots to follow if I download them from my Garmin). I found my bike was the VERY LAST in T1. It actually started to go a little bit dark for a moment there in T1.
I figured that I'd have to walk most of the second run in order to finish. I just didn't have the gumption to want to walk the second run for 5 miles.
Instead I opted to ride my bike out (after I recovered a little) and work the last aid station during the run instead. I had MUCH more fun, and helped the other death marchers make it home.
I might have qualified for the World Championships if I had finished - there were only 3 finishers in my division. (And I hear the duathlon World Championships course in Richmond this year is pretty hilly and brutal.)
But that's racing. There's always next year!
12 comments:
:-(
Oh well - sounds like you made lemonade out of lemons.
You are right. There is next year and the many, many years after.
You always have such a positive attitude..you are right..there's tons of races next year..especially Eagleman eh?
I vote race to train! Races come and go, but training effects linger.
Awwww...that sounds completely poopie. :-(
At least you got to volunteer and have some fun! Positive attitude all the way.
There is a LIFETIME of races! The hot-humid weather has hit here too- NO it's NOT always a DRY HEAT! I had trouble breathing this a.m. I am sure my heart rate was up, but I did take it easy-and I wasn't racing.
You still got in a great workout it sounds like!
Heat is such a killer - worse than hills. I'm glad you found another way to enjoy the race - way to go!
Volunteering was a lovely thing to do.
Listening to one's body is sometimes the hardest thing to do. Good job.
Chills sounds like you were on your way to heat exhaustion - good thing you bagged it! By any chance did you take any allergy or cold medication that kept your heat elevated? Just wondering. Better to be safe, right?
Nancy,
I am glad you were smart and knew it was time to step away. I would rather have you all safe and snug, instead of...well you know.
You made the right choice! Volunteering was a great idea. I'll miss seeing your smiling face here in Richmond though.
sometimes after hours and months of training we fail to finish. God only knows how I know that, and so to I suppose people who read me, but its not the worst that can happen.
A bad day, a bad race. So what. there are many more races to be had. Your a competitor Nancy through and through. Your heart beats red, white, blue and persistance. Our founding fathers would not expect less from its best.
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