I don't usually like to talk about my racing results in general, because, well, I always get the impression that non-athletes get bored hearing it, and athletes are ready to start comparing times. But, on this occassion, I wanted to get something out there.
As some of you know, I was in Phoenix last month, getting ready to race the Desert Classic Du, and unfortunately, got hit by a horrible ear infection that knocked me out of competing. I found brooding over the subject for a few days to be comforting, but, thanks to the advice of my coach, I found another race right away, an Indoor Duathlon, in Orland Park. Perfect. Nice and close to home. Low key, and I could even convince some of the family to come out. So, I set my mind to training, and getting in a race.
The mind plays tricks with you when you miss a race, but, what I learned is, you can outsmart yourself. The key is, think slow. For me, this isn't too hard, b/c well, I'm not too bright. But, when you think slow, you learn to deal with things easier, and stop your mind from reeling. And that's what I did. I just focused on training and getting a race in my legs.
I got to the event early Saturday morning, and a wave had already gone off. In it, contained last year's winner, and local health club bad ass, so, I figured it would be good to see his numbers before I took off. I went thru my warm up, and as usual, felt lousy, but was glad to have that feeling back. Then I pulled up my compression socks, all white of course, and in my black one-piece tri suit, took off. Now, as a few of you know, my sense of pacing is, well, poor. This day was no exception. It was a small track - 10 times around for a mile, but for whatever reason, I thought I was running on a nice 200 meter indoor track. Later in the day my ankles told me otherwise, but, I lit out, and really didn't think at all, only focused on going as fast as possible for the opening mile and a half run. When I hit the line for the last lap, the clock read 7:07. I thought it was wrong, but, then the pain was coming on full throtle, so, if nothing else, it felt like a 7:07.
Then on to the spin bikes, with no tension, pedaling away at 120 rpms. You know, just like a normal race. 10 miles of this nonsense, and then back to the track. I had a lead on everyone, but I wasn't going to let off the gas. I hit the second run, another 1.5 miler, and ended the show with an 8:20. I beat the leader and last year's winner by 3 miuntes. I would like to thank Pantera, as in the final laps, all I heard in my brain was "Cowboys from Hell" pushing me to finish. I didn't notice but a crowd had gathered, and I was shocked it was to see me and congratulate me on a great, and winning time. I was elated, and more importantly, felt like my fitness was where I wanted it to be.
The biggest point I want to make is, I know, as a lot of elite amatuer athletes do, we avoid indoor races, as they don't really mimic a true race. Well, maybe they don't but, I will tell you this, they do help provide people in a cold weather climate figure out where your fitness is. Am I going to go out and run my next race at 4:53 pace? Probably not, but, if I can make more turns than a clown car and still run sub 5's, well, that says something. So, instead of looking down your nose at the indoor races, use them to your advantage. If nothing else, it keeps you motivated training in the cold. Yeah, I was running around the track and noticed the cold and snow outside, but, I was RACING, and that felt great. Its true, if you are a hero in January, you probably will wilt before June, but, if you go out to a local indoor and have some fun, you may be suprised at what happens. I know I was.
I need to thank a few people, mainly, my coach, Jen, who kept me motivated, and definitely got me racing right. And to my folks, who, didn't think I was going quite fast enough, and needed to tell me to pick it up, everytime I went past. Nothing like watching your Mom making the hand motion to go faster as you are already at redline pace.
And to Jane, well, thanks for being there. You didn't have to be, but, as a true friend, you were a great source of inspiration.
To those reading this, thanks for reading. I will have funnier stuff coming up soon, but, for this race, the Black Sheep needed to get a good one in.
