This is my 6th year in a row running this race. I ran a 2:18 in 2013, a 1:45 in 2016, and a 1:49 today. Same course, same hills! This is the most telling elevation chart.
You see that flat spot?
You don't?? Thats because you're either running up hill or downhill in Lexington!
I was super excited for Team Tech who was experiencing Bluegrass for the first time. I tried showing a different elevation chart that didn't get them nervous at all. Brittney has been training hills on the treadmill and was ready to crush it. We met up at the expo then went to dinner. I specifically went to Carino's for the gluten free pasta...which they were out of. Server recommended changing the same meal with potatoes which worked out just fine. After dinner, Brittney and I stayed with our friends Holly and Tony who live 12 minutes away from Keeneland.
Race morning all went well. I was a bit nervous with my pre-race nutrition plan. Intermittent fasting has been going really well and I wasn't sure when to break my fast. I raced 45 minutes last week fasted and no issues. So today I decided to run 3 miles then hit a Gu and start drinking Infinit. The thought that I'd run on fat for 3 miles then sugar for 10 sounded good. The race got postponed 15 minutes due to traffic congestion.
Once we started, I felt great. I hit the first few hills and was passing people going up them. I saw Ray, who works with Brittney at the top of a hill. I was straight cruising. I don't look at pace, I run by feel. I use my app to buzz every 5 minutes and then another at 15 seconds. Like Pavlov's dog, 1st buzz is walk 15 seconds, 2nd buzz means run for 5 minutes..repeat until end of race. I had picked out a specific playlist for the entire race. Which was working beautifully through 6 miles. I saw horses out running, a donkey playing with a horse, runners from ORRRC I recognized, and this beautiful scenic course I was just thankful to be a part of.
Then out of nowhere, my headphones went silent. These are 2 months old and fully charged. I didn't panic, I tried turning them back on but nothing happened. My mind went frazzled. The music drives my feet. It pushes me. I finally decided to try and fix the issue. I walked and messed around with my cellphone and headphones. I then decided to not worry about the headphones and play the music through the phone. Where all the runners around me would hear it... That lasted 20 seconds where I refused to be "that guy" ruining others race with my music. Some runners like the serene quiet race that Bluegrass offers. I wasn't going to mess that up. I've been annoyed by other runners and their cell phones. I train 90% sans music, I knew I could run this without my tunes. It also meant I had to watch my time and do my intervals without the buzzing. All these thoughts and messing with electronics through me outta my game. No one's fault but mine. Then the "did I just mess up my entire PR attempt because of music" entered my head. I wasn't sure how long I had walked but it seemed like forever. Then the thought, "SHUT UP AND RUN!" entered. The positive vibes, "I can still do this! Were just extra rested and ready for the back half of this!" started up. Most of the aid stations were playing music. One was playing a Grease movie song and that made me think of Heidi and her 50's themed birthday party. That made me smile. I continued to run. I tried to stick to my intervals but found myself running longer than 5 minutes. I think I was trying to make up for lost time. Which in retrospect, I was just trashing my legs. Things happen in races, some good, some just add obstacles. Gotta learn from them! Mile 9 hill is steep. There are drummers halfway up who helped get up that hill. I was feeling good, and still running well. I hit mile 10 and looked at my watch. I needed a walk break but did some quick math. I needed to run 5k in 21 minutes to PR. I knew that wasn't happening. I had to keep pushing. More uphills led to tired legs and the "dead leg" feeling hit at mile 11. I need to research this. It's hit me a few times and I'm not sure why. I tried positive mantras. I tried running with others. I did whatever I could to keep pushing. Then the feeling of OMG I gotta pee hits. I know I have this short stretch and a right turn to the finish. There were a few people out here. I did my best to hide behind a tree and answered nature's call. Good lord did I feel better after that. I went back out and ran through the finish line. 1:49.
I wanted a PR. It's the thing runners covet most. To show you've bettered yourself. Gotten faster! But the PR doesn't always come. If it did, it wouldn't be special. Sometimes everything has to go right or you just have the race of your life. Training has to be specific, and to be honest, I didn't train specifically for this race. I've been doing a lot of cycling and swimming getting ready for tri season. Speed hasn't been my focus, endurance has. So I was a little disappointed. I'm a competitive guy, I wanted to push myself. I feel I pushed myself. I learned to have plans ahead of time, for example..if the headphones or music fail...leave it be. Take over intervals and stay the plan. There's no music allowed in tries but if something else happens...let it be, keep moving forward. Thats a life lesson, not just a race lesson. Later in the day, final results come out, I was 252 overall out of 3176 half marathoners. I was in the top 8%. Not bad for a former fat dude who didn't train specifically for this race. Not bad at all.
On my way back to cheer on runners, I see Chris come sailing in like a bullet! I find a space at the fence to catch Paige with this huge smile on her face as she runs in like a ball of fire! Team Tech came to Lexington and crushed the race! We all cheered on the runners for just a few minutes when the most beautiful runner, with a smile and strong legs zipping past us, comes past us! Brittney looked strong as she finished her 3rd RuntheBluegrass. Team Tech and I met Brittney at the end and off to pizza we went! This was the best part!! I saw runners from Team RWB Cincinnati who were crushing the race and just so many RWB Eagles who ran strong!
Watch the news or social media talk about obesity rates in the United States and be worried about the future. OR come to a race and see ALL types of people in ALL sorts of shapes pushing themselves at ALL different paces and distances. Then smile as you realize there are a lot of healthy people doing great things. I'm proud and honored to have so many running friends! Now...I'm headed to bed. I'm exhausted!
