The day started out with thunder and lightning and rain and hail when I left home at 5:10 a.m. to head to Miller Park for the race. When I got there, they crowded everyone into the stadium atrium area waiting for the lightning to pass. The race start was actually delayed from 7 a.m. to 7:25 a.m.
When it started, I was ready and lined up a little ways past the 2:30 pace group. It took about 6 minutes to cross the start line, but then I was able to start into an easy jog to get warmed up and going. I had two GUs and two HoneyStinger packets to carry me through, as the race stations were only going to provide water or Gatorade.
Through the first two miles, I kept my eye on the 2:30 pace group and realized I felt OK going faster than they were. At about the 5k mark at the H-D museum, I unfortunately needed to use the port-o-lets because I've become so good at pre-run hydration I tend to go over a bit. When I got out, the 2:30 group was nowhere to be found, so I just settled back into a pace that felt good.
The next section of the run was nice for me as it went along the south side of Marquette's campus (Go Warriors!), and shortly thereafter I was caught up to and ahead of the 2:30 sign again. This was into about miles 4-5-6, and I felt very good (temps were still cold and drizzly, in the 46 degree range, but very comfortable for running).
This section was when I started to realize my secret weapon was hills. After the Fleet Feet Sports hill and speedwork sessions I've been able to do this summer, I found I feel comfortable accelerating when I'm on an incline. SO in the race, when people would slow on the inclines, I would actually be passing people which provided a huge psychological boost.
The next main sections along the 27th street and 35th street viaducts were pretty hard. They were not only in the midpoint of the race, but very windy. Coming north on the 35th street viaduct into the wind was especially tough, and started a general slowdown for my times. Fortunately, there were a couple sets of signs near 35th and Wisconsin to cheer me: "Seemed like a good idea four months ago" and "If it were easy, we'd be out running too," and the paring of "Worst. Parade. Ever." and "Where's my candy?" Smiling helps you run faster. It's a fact. It's just science.
A mile or so after that, I was fighting the crosswinds in the Miller Valley before slapping five with the Brewers Racing Sausages (except Bratwurst. Jerk.), and then making my way down State Street to mile 10. This stated the Hawley Road incline, which was a terrible idea to have at mile 10. So, I powered my way up, but it really sapped me for my last few miles.
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| On the warning track inside Miller Park. About a 1/4 mile to go. |
Whereas most of my training runs have been around 11 min/mile to 12 min/mile, my splits for the Brewers mini were: 10:50, 10:39, 10:26, 12:10 (potty break), 10:23, 10:12, 10:42, 11:43, 10:55, 11:45, 11:37, 11:21, and 12:32. My goal for next year's Brewers Mini is to have splits be 10 and under. I'm shooting for 2:10. With a year to train, why not?
