It doesn't bother me that I ran slowly. I told people all week I was thinking something in the 3:15-3:20 range. It was hot, I hadn't trained properly, and the last two weeks I've had the worst habits with diet and sleep that I've had in a year. I knew I wasn't going fast yesterday. I was the only person I saw in the race who consciously started in a slower corral than his qualifying time permitted. I planned to go slowly, and I was determined to avoid running 6:15 miles from the gun. I started off with a downhill mile in the 7:10 range, and it just felt so easy. And every mile until about the half (1:32) felt the same. At that stage I figured what the hey, I was on target for a negative split and a decent day on a modest effort. But right around 15, I just started feeling nauseous and then had a horrific stomach cramp. I couldn't tell you the last time I had a serious stomach cramp. From there I was strong on the ups and weak on the downs. Around 20 some BC kids offered me a beer, and I figured that since the race was already in the toilet I might as well hit the sauce. It tasted pretty good, but didn't exactly help the stomach issues. So I mailed it in for the last six.
I don't mind that I ran slow, but I'm disconcerted by how weak I was in the second half. I thought I was in shape where a 3:15 would be relaxed and pleasant, heat or no. Guess I was wrong.
I suppose this is the kick in the pants I needed to stay humble and hungry going in LT100 training this summer, which I'm planning to begin in earnest next Monday. I want a big buckle and maybe more, but yesterday makes me think Ive got some work to do to put myself in a position to get there. That's ok. I've got time. Just got to re-focus and get it done.
