Gobbler Grind 2010 Race Report

…or GG2010 as it has come to be known :)

Its been 3 weeks since my last post and 2nd Half Marathon and its been a very busy three weeks for sure. Since the Lou Joline HM, my lower legs have not been happy at all. Not sure what did it. but they have been super tight despite the foam rolling, icing, yoga’ing. So I took a small break from trail running and just concentrated on getting some short runs in with the longest one being just 6miles coming a week before GG2010.

In the last three weeks, I volunteered at another awesome race put on by the Trail Nerds. Pilgrim Pacer is the only paved on they do (I think) and I had a blast supporting our fellow runners on a cold and windy morning. I have also since then found out the what is likely the source of my issues…a pretty nice curve in my spine. While a curved spine is very common (as my hubby keeps telling me) the degree of said curve matters (as I keep telling him) and mine has a pretty decent curve. In any case the doc says this is more than likely the issues as mine spine has rotation and is essentially causing my hips and everything that hangs off it to have some rotation and torque. GREAT!!!  So what to do…strengthen hips, gluteus and core!!!

OK…now having given you the abridged version of that…we move onto GG2010! This is my 3rd time doing this race. First year was the 5k, last year although I signed up for the Half, I bumped down to the 5k as I had some pretty rough ITB issues and finally I managed to make it to the Half Marathon this year. The Fair Weather Runner and her hubby were up for the race as she was running the Half as well.

I had picked up packets with the way cool shirt color and was Kinesio Taped and as ready as I could be for this.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Of course pre-race carbo load dinner, translation Blanc Burger and Beer, was full of hilarity!!Race morning came about and while we hoped it would be cooler and a lot less windier, it was not to be so. Temps were almost at 60F around the 8am start time and the winds were gusting at 20-30mph!!! This was going to be rough especially at the straight up the hills and into the winds section for about 2.5miles or so.

We got the start with plenty of time to spare and to find a Beka’s friend Shelly as well. After some seriously technically challenged announcements, we were off. The first 5k was through the business park roads and at some points the wind was really blowing through building. Check out the course map here. Miles 1-3 went by pretty well and I was doing under a 11 min/mile. I felt pretty good.

Then at the 5k mark, the Half and Full Marathoners headed into Indian Creek Trails which I was very familiar with as I run them often. Just gentle rolling hills nothing too bad, but also nothing where its too flat for an extended period of time either. So far so good, I was doing around 11-11.30 min/miles but did have a walk break to stretch out my calves and hip as it was starting to get a little tight. Not good news for Miles 6-10 :( I kept moving and then we headed out of the trails at Mile 6 and things started to fall apart. Miles 6 and 7 were just long hills headed straight into the wind..which combined knocked me down a lot. I took more walk breaks than I had planned and had to stretch a little to get calves and left hip from stiffening up too much again. Mile 8 was kind of a downhill and then uphill kind of stretch..again into the wind. I was just praying that my knees didn’t act up. The Mile 9 was all downhill and I picked up speed and tried to play some catch up and managed a 10.30 min/mile. Then we headed back into the trails for the last 5k and I knew I wouldn’t PR on this one. I was pretty bummed, but I wanted to finish as strong as I could and kept moving and went for it in that last mile.

End result: 2:43:18…no PR, but still better than my first HM time!! And btw major shoutout to the FWR who killed it!! Nice job :) Lessons Learned:

• Need to do more tempo runs to be able to hold steady pace mile after mile. Maybe some speed work once I have my hip issues sorted out.
• Work some more hills into training. While I ran trails that worked hills into training, I need to be more diligent with them.
• Train to do negative splits. I tend to start out out too fast (for me) and towards the end had a hard time keeping my energy going.
• Get back into strength training!!
• I can push the speed when I want to..that last 1/4mile I busted out a sub 10min/mile because I wanted to get done :) Just need to slowly work that in throughout the race!!

GG2010 was the last of my planned races for the year! I finished 3 Half Marathons and 2 within 3 weeks. I did manage to knock out 8mins off my first attempt and the goal for next year will be to get that down even more and shoot for under 2:30!

Now I move onto focusing on working on some weak areas that are causing me problems. I need to get these worked in as I move into Marathon training!!!!

But for now…I’m going to chill out and enjoy some much need family time :) I have lots to be thankful for. Its been a tough year, but we’ve managed to stay afloat, make new friends and be closer to old ones!! Hope everyone has a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday! Indulge in the love and warmth of family and friends..and even a little turkey and pumpkin pie :)