I woke up at 5am to find that the temperature had plummeted into the 40s but I seemed to be running on auto-pilot so it didn't phase me.It probably should have considering my coldest run temperature to date has be in the mid 50s. I've never run in anything lower than 55 degrees. Not a race, not a training run, not even a walk outside! Never.
But this morning it was 44 degrees.
Now I live in Miami for a very good reason: I AM NOT GOOD AT DEALING WITH THE COLD!
So in hind-sight I am surprised that I even got out of bed!
But I did.
I zoomed through my pre-race ritual completely on auto pilot and was out the door. I made the trek to Broward County very tentatively being that I don't usually live Dade County (where I live) alone so I was hypertensive to where I was going. I didn't even think about the race yet, I still had to focus on getting there and making it on time.
I arrived and begrudgingly took off my sweater (mind you I had a turtle neck and a jacket on underneath) and made it out to check in and start warming up. I was nervous but not anxious and more worried about keeping my hands warm than worrying about the race.
As the racers collected at the start line, I FINALLY started to think about the race and it occurred to me that I was going to get a Personal Best.
PAUSE. REWIND TO TWO WEEKS AGO, when I race my absolute personal WORST at the ING Half Marathon. My training had gone to haywire over the preceding two months, the holidays and just overall laziness was rampant so the personal worst should have been expected. I mean I bailed on any run longer than 5 miles for 2 months and I was expecting to run a marathon! Geesh!
Back to today: I probably should not have expected a personal best. It's only been two weeks. My training has been good for those two weeks but not EXPECT A PERSONAL BEST GOOD. I wasn't back to 13.1 Fort Lauderdale shape was I? But somehow I just knew. I focused in on it and started running.
I didn't start chasing anyone, I just started running my race. About a half mile in, I started passing people. I peaked at my Garmin. My speed was holding. I was surprised. I kept running. I held my speed. By the time I reached the final turn, I knew the Personal Best was possible. I kept pushing. I got ready to push it for the last .1 of the mile and finished strong.
Final Stats:Mile 1: 10:50.48
Mile 2: 11:11.32
Mile 3: 10:52.97
.15 Mile 1:08.08
In hindsight: I probably could have pushed a little harder because I didn't feel spent. I look a little too refreshed in that picture ----->
Looking at the positive:
- I felt REALLY good after the run!
- I am back to the shape I was in right before the 13.1 Ft. Lauderdale when I was training hard and pushing forward
- I got a Personal Best by 10 seconds ... I'll take it!
- I now know I can run comfortable in the 40s .... as long as I layer and gloves, I need to get some gloves :)
Happy Valentine's Day to all!
Spend it with someone you love!
