TD Beach to Beacon

TD Beach to Beacon 10K is one of the most well known in the country.  It draws a large crowd, including many elite runners.  Honestly, it was never on my radar until last year when a friend of mine did it.

I really had no overwhelming desire to run this race.  But, a friend convinced me to try to get in.  So, I did. The race sold out in a little over 4 minutes.

There is a lot of hype in the weeks leading up to this race.  I went to the expo on Thursday and the energy was really high.  Everyone was excited.  It was a relatively large expo considering it was only a 10K.  Overall, it was well organized and the volunteers were super friendly.

I really wasn't sure what to expect from this race.  I had raced hard on Tuesday night and only did a small shake out run the next day.  I wasn't sure how my legs would feel.  I didn't go into this race with any specific goals.  I was prepared to just run it for fun and take it easy if my legs weren't there.  I wouldn't be disappointed.  On the other hand, I knew it was possible I could PR if my legs were feeling good.  I wasn't sure of the course elevation profile, but I feel comfortable enough with regular hills that I didn't think it would be an issue.  My race strategy was going to unfold on the fly.

On Saturday, I arrived at one of the shuttle parking lots and waited for my friends.  When they got there, we got in line for the bus.  We were on the first bus and got to the start area without any trouble.  There were drinks and snack there for runners while you waited for the start of the race, which I thought was a nice touch.

The sun peeked out just as the race was starting and I was worried.  It was already warm, and the sun was feeling hot.  This is a relatively large race with about 6,600 participants.  Having run Disney races, I am used to crowded conditions and huge races so I didn't think it would be a big deal.  I was wrong.

The race started and everyone seemed to be at different pace--clearly self seeding had not worked well today.  I tried to run the first mile as best I could.  My legs actually felt pretty fresh and despite a little arch pain in the right foot, I felt ready to race--if I could only find an opening.  I spent a good deal of the race weaving around people.  Not just the first mile..,the whole race.  Thankfully, the sun mostly disappeared behind some clouds for most of the race.  Most of the course were on road that were very slanted, which made it difficult to run the edges.  I tried to run along the center line as much as I could.  I got slowed down significantly at the water stops when everyone stopped to walk.  I tackled the hills without much issue except for the one at mile 5.  My stomach wanted to revolt by the time I got to the top, but I was able to focus on my breathing and get myself back in the game for the final mile.  

The finish was pretty and the course support of this race was wonderful.  Everyone raves about it.  I thought it was great, but very similar to race I had run Tuesday night.  After you cross the finish line, you are directed up a huge hill to get to the post-race water tables, food and all of that stuff.  Having run hard, having to wait for water and ascend another hill isn't incredibly fun.  Then, you get to wait in a long, slow line for the bus back to your car.

All in all, it was a great race.  I did get my PR. 1:03:25.  I felt I would have been a little bit faster on an open course, but feel like this time is consistent with my other recent race times.  I know there were a lot of famous people there, but I'm not one to pay attention to that sort of thing.  I'm not sure I would go out of my way to do this race again, but I'm glad I did it once.

A Mental Game

Training for the 2016 Hartford Marathon is well under way.  A couple of months ago, I spoke with a running coach about a time goal.  I thought he was crazy.  I *knew* there was NO way I could run the time he said I could.

And yet...

A couple weeks ago, I had a 12 mile training run.  There was a half marathon that weekend and the weather looked unusually cool for a July race.  So, why not?  I registered on a Thursday for a Saturday race.  I hadn't run much that week other than 3 miles Thursday night.

The weather was ideal for me:  mid-50's, cloudy with scattered light rain.  Just enough to cool you off without soaking your shoes.  My goal was 2:30 and I started just behind the 2:30 pace group.  I knew I might lose them in the beginning, but was confident based on my training, that my later miles were my fastest and I would catch up.

That's exactly what happened.  They got away from me at first, I caught up with them around mile 4, passed them around mile 6, and never saw them again.  My time was 2:27:17 on a hilly course.  A 12 minute PR!  I felt amazing.  I followed my pacing strategy, felt strong on the hills, and gave it all I had.

Fast forward a few weeks.

I had a 10 mile race on my schedule that I had planned to use as Proof of Time for Disney.  However, I was so happy with my half time, that I didn't feel like I *needed* this race.  I went anyway and honestly wasn't feeling like it was my night.

I had slacked on training the week before, it was the end of the day, a little warmer than I would have liked and getting there was just a comedy of errors.  (Nothing like walking to the start area only to realize you left your bib in the car!)

I had hoped to run somewhere around a 10:50-11:00 mm.  I started out at a pace that felt relaxed and easy.  At 2 miles, I was well under this pace at around 10:20.  I started to doubt whether I could hold that or not, and at several points during the race attempted to pull back a bit just in case.  But, I was able to hold on with only 1 of my miles being above a 10:40.  I finished with a time of 1:45:11 which is approx 10:31 mm.

Rewind to that discussion with the coach.  As it turns out, my recent race times would indicate that he was right.  I can run those paces.  It is a realistic time goal.  I can race more aggressively than I have in the past.  My first half marathon was a horrible experience and I think that has had a strong mental hold on me for the past 4 years. But, no more.  I can hold a pace.  I can push harder.  I can race smarter.  It's all a mental game...  and I'm winning it.