Redemption - Sort of.

My last tune-up race was today. And it didn't suck. In fact, it was the best tune-up I have had in years.

The race: Without going into much detail, the race itself was a complete cluster f*vk. Seriously. It was put on by a great charitable organization, but the race part - um please hire a race director with some experience with races please.

I tried to register online twice, it didn't work. I sent the RD an e-mail. RD called me and got it all sorted out. I got e-mail confirmation entire family was registered. We showed up race morning, and no, we were not registered. Refill all forms in freezing rain after going back b/w 2 lines - neither of which wanted to deal with us. It was raining, so rain delay. THEN, they announce the race will no longer be sanctioned or supported - no volunteers, no course markings (this course had lots of turns, particularly in the first 1.5 miles), no water. BUT, if you want to run, go for it. Half the crowd clears out. WTF. I go to the start line and a volunteer is passing around a map (he obtained from a runner) and is trying to give directions. Don't worry, he says, there are bikes. Um, you realize the bikes are for the fastie guys out front only right? Gah. We start, skies clear, there are 3 water stops (2 of which you hit on the way back, so FIVE fully stocked water stops) and lots of volunteers. Really?!? You cancelled your whole race when you were fully ready to go?!? THEN, despite chip timing, not everyone's times registered. Including mine. In fact, I was not even on the results sheet at all. AND, all the 10K winners announced had actually run the 5K. Do you really think the 10K female winner ran a 22:02? Come on people? Okay, rant over.

My race:

Oh, first, let's back up and look at this season's numbers. This was my third 10K this season.

1. 8.13.11 - 47.33 - Despite slow time, small race so I was first place female.
2. 9.04.11 - 45.48 - moving in the right direction
3. 9.25.11 - 45.05 - not a PR, first female.

So the improvements are continuing. I had a strong race today, and had the course not been long, I think I would have been as close to my PR (44:11) as I was hoping. I felt very strong throughout and my ongoing mantra was "Today, I will." That worked very well for me. In the 5th mile, I slowed more than I wanted to. Not sure why, but my guess is a combo of a headwind and my determination not to be a slave to my Garmin (and thus fell off some).

Overall, I am VERY happy. My runs this week have been quicker with very low heart rate (again seeing 120s frequently). I am feeling confident and strong.

Thanks for your support this season. You know who you are and I have appreciated all of your words and they have kept me motivated on my hard runs and races - including today.

Week 1 Taper Recap:

M: rest / abs & legs

T: 8.25 with 5x600 meters; 90 sec recoveries (2:23, 2:23, 2:22, 2:21; 2:26)(oa: 8:54/143) / arms, abs & legs

W: rest

R: 12 (8:34 / 154); abs & legs

F: 5 recovery (9:34 / 138); arms & abs

Sa: 8 w/ 8 striders (8:51 / 149); abs & legs

Su: 10K (45:05) w/warmup and cooldown

Total: 46