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July 04, 2005
Age-Handicapped
How is 12:30 already? I woke up at 6:30 AM and the day has already flown by without me doing all of the things I planned on using my almost complete day off for. The nerve of time passing!
Yesterday was my last day in the Outer Banks and I went swimming at the community pool. Alone. No one else was there. I tried to wait until other people showed up to get in the water but no one came for 15 minutes so I decided to just go ahead with my workout. It was stupid, and I know better. My concession to the workout safety gods was not to practice flip-turns which would be the most likely cause of injury during my workout. I swam for 30 minutes and it was awesome to swim outside. I also played tennis: My dad and myself vs. my sis and B. My Dad and I were victorious 6-1, but it was also exciting b/c this was the first time I was cutting from side to side and my knee felt fine.
I ran in a 4 mile race this morning. It was pretty cool b/c the race was age-handicapped, meaning people start at different times based on gender and age. The idea is that once everyone has started at their different times, the race is “even” and everyone has an equal shot to cross the finish line first. It was fun to be in the race and know you were supposed to be passing (and holding off getting passed) by both men and women.
BUT, for someone in the age group with one of the later starts (and the last female start), I lost all advantage that comes with youth! I was put face to face with my abilities as I saw women who routinely beat me get to start ahead of me (b/c they are older). This race was a very humbling moment. Honestly, there are many men and women in this area who are not just fast for their age group, but fast RUNNERS, and this race really showcased their abilities.
As for my race, I am disappointed. I ran 31:38. I had hoped to run faster. The course was almost completely flat and the weather was not too bad for DC at 8 in the morning. I think it is slightly (maybe 10 seconds or so) slower than the 4 mile race I ran two weeks ago once you take into account the other race course was short. In addition, the other race course was much harder than today’s course.
The good news is I did not feel as horrible during this race as two weeks ago. Oh yes, it was a pleasant way to start the day and I got to run somewhere new. But that’s it. That’s all the good news.
From a previous four miler I know I can run faster than that. Things I need to do: run more miles and do speedwork and/or tempo runs (like I was doing when I was running faster.) I am calling an end to my recovery period and I am going to start either building a long run and/or running faster during my shorter runs. I kind of want to do both, but I know I can’t at the same time, so I may try and brainstorm a way to do a combination of both (so neither all out). I am also going to stop eating junk food. I may eat it one day a week or something, but I need to figure out a new system where I eat less of it. AND, I need to start out slower. Today’s first mile: 7:00 min.
Happy holidays to you all!
Posted by Audrey at July 4, 2005 12:29 PM
Comments
cool, thanks for playing along with the survey! here or there, anywhere was fine.
that sounds like an interesting race format. i get smoked by all ages so i'm not sure if i'd like it but it sounds interesting nonetheless!
Posted by: brent hopkins at July 4, 2005 02:33 PM
That's a wierd race method. I've never seen that before. I wonder how they decide how far apart to put the age groups.
Good job on the race, Audrey! I don't how hot it was down there at 8 AM but I'd bet it was pretty warm. Heat just destroys speed. I'd bet there was a psychological effect too since you had to start so far back.
And good luck with the junk food. What kind of junk are we talking about?
Posted by: Jon in Michigan at July 4, 2005 02:41 PM
"Age and gender handicaps are calculated based on the age-graded tables established by World Masters Athletics...The handicaps were based on the mean differential set forth in the tables for 5 Kilometers and 8 Kilometers. The performance level used for these calculations was 75 percent, defined as 'regional class.'"
As for junk food: I like chocolate, peanut butter, and tostistos better than things like hard candy.
Posted by: Audrey at July 4, 2005 03:45 PM
Hey-when did peanut butter get relegated to junk food status? It is a major staple of many runners (myself included) and is full of good fat and protein!!
Posted by: Dawn at July 4, 2005 08:29 PM
Good job on the race Audrey! I know it's not what you wanted but a race is never a wasted experience (unless you don't learn from it), which you are, acknowledging which things you need to work more on to hit the times you like! I'm sure you will!!!
Posted by: Nanda at July 4, 2005 08:32 PM
Awesome race, Audrey! The race format seems really odd, but kind of neat. I love 4 mile races . . . there is something rhythmic about going past 3, but not having to run 5. I think you are in fantastic shape!
Posted by: bridget at July 4, 2005 11:40 PM
You never told me you started a blog! Bum.
Happy (belated) 4th.
Posted by: Aaron at July 5, 2005 05:06 AM
handicap races are really fun--however, i think the longer the race the better...b/c it gives you a bit more time to catch up to everyone! one way you might be able to get a long run in and a faster shorter run is to try out and back runs for your shorter runs. go out at a conversational pace-one that feels good (time yourself) ...and at the turn around just pick up the pace. try to repeat the course--about once a week and run the course the same effort each week...and with consistency and added strength you should find yourself getting faster and stronger each week.
Posted by: liz at July 5, 2005 12:07 PM
I agree with the starting out slower, it's always fun to be the one doing the passing late in the race, and if you run an even pace, you will almost certainly be doing better than most of the people in the race. I'm amazed at how many people have been racing for years and still don't seem to know how to race. But for you, right now, since you haven't been doing speed and racing much, it's probably hard to know what pace you can keep up for four miles. Sounds like a cool race, though!
I've made all sorts of "rules" about junk food over the years, and it's hard to find ones that I can actually stick to. That's why I like my current approach - I don't have any rules about when I can and can't eat junk, but I generally don't buy any of my own (except in special circumstances). I generally don't eat it, unless it's involved in a social occasion - 4th of July cake, everyone's going out for ice cream, etc... I will make exceptions, of course, but most of the time I just don't keep it around the house. That seems to be working pretty well. Don't be too strict, and good luck!
(Sorry for such a long comment!)
Posted by: Alison at July 5, 2005 12:25 PM
Good job in your race. I do agree that you need to go out slower and you will feel much better later on, but that is all about experience and is much easier said than done.
Like other commenters, I would reiterate that you should not be too obsessed with your diet but it is good to eat less junk food for sure.
Posted by: Barb at July 5, 2005 02:07 PM