RandomFailure

Going into a race with low expectations is nice; that way, there’s no disappointment afterwards. I had only one goal for this uniquely Philly race (at 8.4 miles, the distance itself is somewhat unique): finish in under one hour. I hit 59:50 – just made it.

But tactically, it was once of the worst races I have run in a long time, if ever. I started out too fast (pretty much usual for me; mile 1 in 6:06), but I felt comfortable and had some people nearby that I thought I could stay with. Then Headphone Woman came by. A relevant aside: two weeks ago at the Bridge Run, she went flying by me a little after mile 5. This time, I thought I could stay with her, even though we hadn’t hit mile 2 yet. I suggested we run together, to try to catch the woman ahead of us who was, at the time, the first female. This was the big mistake: I really couldn’t hang. I stayed on for about 1.5 miles and then couldn’t hold the pace any longer.

Some people passed me in ones and twos. The depressing moment was when a group of six guys went by me like I was standing still. The challenging part of this event is that it is completely run on the path, and we have to dodge all the other people using it. Around mile 6, we hit the boathouses and the regatta that was going on. The combination of spectators, rowers, and shells made for some interesting dodging.

I just focused on finishing in under one hour, which seemed to be slipping away. I could keep track of the quarter mile splits thanks to the numbers painted on the path. But I had slowed considerably; I was maintaining about a 7:20 pace. Hitting the start of Boathouse Row, entering the last quarter mile or so, I knew it would be close. When I finally saw the clock, I knew I had it in under an hour.

I need to not be so stupid next time, especially when I’m not ready to run that fast. 

A short report this time (I don’t have the wherewithal to write a long one).

I really enjoy this event, with three exceptions:

1. Parking for the event. There’s only one entrance to the parking lot. This morning, I got impatient and parked in a different lot.
2. The huge delay from gathering everyone together and leading us to the start. But this is more of a function of the nature of the event – running over and back on the Ben Franklin Bridge – than anything else. Logistically, they have to make sure all traffic is cleared off the bridge and everything is in place.
3. A minor quibble: too many turns after mile 4. I think some of this might be forced to get to 10K. It get difficult to stay on rhythm, which I lacked today.

The bridge portion (the first half) went about as I expected (mile 1 in 7:00, mile 2 in 6:31 (mostly downhill), mile 3 in 6:50). Surprisingly, not that many people passed me on the first downhill, like had happened in the past. And today the flats just killed me. Not sure why. Saw tons of people lined up along the course, waiting to get in to see the President give a stump speech for NJ Governor Corzine (who ran today). Out of the few hundred people standing around and doing absolutely nothing, about three cheered for the runners (Thank You!). Caught a temporary side stitch around mile 5; shook it after about three minutes of so, but the damage was already done. A few people went zipping by me between miles 5 and 6.

Overall, not a bad run. At least I finished in front of the guy dressed like an extra from Braveheart. I need to do some speed work over the winter (provided I can maintain general fitness in the weather).