Last night around 7:00 p.m. or so, I decided I would run the Atlantic City half marathon. I debated whether to run the race because John and I are already signed up to run the Philadelphia Marathon next Sunday (November 22). Technically, I’m in the “taper” part of my training plan, which means reduced volume. However, contrary to what some may suggest, taper does not mean reduced intensity. Granted, it’s not typical to race a half marathon the week before a full marathon, but it’s not unheard of to do so. Some people run a marathon (or more) every week.
So, it was with some caution that I decided to run the AC half. My training plan had a 10 mile run scheduled for today, so I figured what could 3 more miles hurt? Given my training and experience, I was willing to bet that my legs could take it. I had some encouragement to “go for it” from John, as well as some other runners that I follow on twitter. And, I still have 7 days for a “real” taper. Cross my heart, and hope to have a marathon PR, I will take it easy this week.
So, I woke up at 5:50 a.m., took care of the dogs, got my gear together and headed out the door. As I was leaving I thought to myself: Wow, it is so much easier to get ready for a running race than a triathlon! I need about 1/10th of the gear and time. The simplicity of running is one of the aspects that drew me to the sport years ago. Sneakers, shorts, shirt. Okay, ready!
My favorite part of races is the running community. The endorphins and benefits of healthy living result in some really cool people with super friendly and optimistic attitudes. I always expect to meet some really cool people, who are doing amazing things with their lives. Today was no exception. I met a fellow runner that I follow on twitter (@cyktrussell), a woman I do spin class with at the gym and her friend that I also know from the gym, a guy that wants to do the Bassman next year, the woman who wound up winning the marathon, the guy who placed third in the half marathon, as well as a bunch of people that I chatted with at the finish line after the race. I ran into people I knew from the beach, from work, from other races, from life. That’s a nice side benefit of doing a race near your hometown: the venue is full of people you know. John makes fun of me because it’s quite typical that I will leave a race scene meeting at least a dozen or so of people. When I’m a spectator, that number is significantly higher. He laughs because as we leave races, I’m waving bye to Sue, and Jim, and Zach, and Rebecca, and on and on. I’m just chatty (shocker to those who know me, I know!).
The race itself was delightful. The AC Marathon almost didn’t happen this year because until about 40 days ago, there was no race director. But, the Jewish Community Center of Margate stepped up to the challenge. My friend Miriam’s sister, Marg, was one of the people who helped make the race a “go” this year. With only a little more than a month to put everything together, everyone did a GREAT job. Great goody bag, great t-shirts, smooth registration process (w/o super long lines), prompt award ceremonies, etc. At the finish line, they had live music (great touch!), and plenty of post-race goodies, including super-yummy chicken broth, bagles, soft pretzels, water ice, fruit, coffee. Compared to last year’s marathon, this year’s was much better organized, with much better amenities. No doubt next year’s race will be even better when the organizers have more than a month to put everything together.
The race started promptly (yay!). The announcer yelled, “On your mark, get set… go!” As we started down the Atlantic City boardwalk, I felt great. The weather was perfect, about 56 degrees, light wind, overcast skies. At the beginning of the race, I worked consciously on holding back my effort, and keeping my heart rate under 150 beats per minute (bpm). I looked at my watch at the first mile marker. I was averaging an 8:05 minute mile, but I didn’t feel like I was working hard at all. My heart rate was around 150–just where I wanted it. Normally for me, an 8:05 min/mile is fairly fast pace for a run of this distance. I figured that as long as I didn’t let my heart rate go to0 high (anaerobic or almost anaerobic, which is around 170/175 bpm), then I would be plenty recovered from the effort by next Sunday.
As I moved through the miles, I continued to average around an 8:04/8:05. I couldn’t believe how good I felt! I was singing to myself, looking at the coastline, enjoying the collective hum of hundreds of runners moving together. I could see the surfers taking advantage of the remnants of the northeaster storm that pummeled the South Jersey coast this week. The waves were beautiful and clean. The storm had wreaked some havoc along the beach. I could see where sand had been eroded – and in some spots, it had been deposited all over the boardwalk. At one point, we had to run about 25 meters through sand that was about an inch or so thick on the boardwalk. In front of the Showboat, there is a handicap ramp access to the beach. The tide had destoyed a sizeable section of this ramp, while hollowing out much of the dune cover underneath it. Truly amazing the power of the ocean.
I started to dig in and pick up the pace a bit around mile 10. I brought the rate to a tempo pace, where I was on the anaerobic threshold (about 165 bpm), but still keeping the effort aerobic. So, not my fastest pace, but I was moving at a good clip – maybe a 7:30ish min/mile. As I headed into the last half mile, I let my legs go. I have to admit, it felt awesome.
I crossed the finish line at 1 hour and 44 minutes (7:54 min/mile average pace). A personal record! According to the unofficial race results, I was the 11th female and I earned third in my age group (age group 30-39). I have to say that these results are VERY unexpected. The competitor in me wishes I could have gone “all out” to see what could have been, but I have a bigger goal in mind for next week. I’d like to run the Philly marathon in 3 hours and 35 minutes. The last marathon I ran was 3 hours 41 minutes, so I need to shave 6 minutes to meet my goal, going from an average pace of 8:26 min/mile to an 8:15 min/mile. Racing at my fastest today would have jeopardized that goal because of the time I would need to recover from a hard speed effort.
Overall, two thumbs up and a fist bump for the AC Marathon. I’m looking forward to seeing what I can do next week for the Philadelphia Marathon.
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As a reminder, from now until July 25, 2010, I’m training and racing for The Iron Scholarship Fund. For more information about this charity, please visit the information page on my blog.
