Time Trial Success

Hey everyone!  This past Friday I ran a 5k time trial out on the cross country course at McAlpine Park here in Charlotte, NC.  I wanted to see what type of shape I was in after 6 weeks into my new training cycle.  But it was 80 degrees and 85% humidity (75 degree dew point) the morning of my time trial, not exactly the conditions I would want to try and run fast in.    But then I figured, "hey not all races will have perfect conditions either", so I would just give it my best and take whatever it gave me.

My Mom, Dad, little brother and sister all went with me to McAlpine to cheer me on for my time trial.  My Dad rode his bike around and gave me my splits at each kilometer, while Mom, Bryce and Rose wandered around to see me at different points and cheer.  I really appreciated all their support.  It felt different doing my time trial on a Friday because I normally race or time trial on a Saturday.   I wonder if that helped me or not but I know I wasn’t nervous like I normally am before a race.  I felt calm and confident, like I just knew I was going to run good.  It was an awesome feeling, almost super-hero-ish. J

My Dad helped me adjust my expectations for the heat and we decided on a goal pace of about 3:35 per kilometer or a little faster and maybe be 5 seconds quicker on the first kilometer to bank the time I’d probably give back in the 3^rd kilometer when you have the big (and only) hill to deal with. ;-)   When I finished my warm-up I was already drenched with sweat, well I guess I should be prepared to get wet on a day like this.

Then I reviewed my plan in my head, got to the starting line, and smiled, this time trial was going to rock!  Then I started;  the first kilometer was good, I felt a little uncomfortable but thought,” it’s a 5k of course I’m going to feel uncomfortable, no big deal.”  I went through in 3:27 – perfect!  The next kilometer was harder but I made sure I kept my foot on the gas and stayed aggressive and went through the second k in 3:28, absolutely perfect, I was ahead of pace!  On the straightaway leading up to the hill I mentally prepared myself to attack the hill.  It was my turn to be the predator and not the prey that the hill can often turn people into.    So I did attack the hill but the following downhill was a little scary, with all the ruts in it, but I still managed to run a 3:38 kilometer for k number 3, not bad with big hill and given the extra few seconds I banked in the first 2k.  Man though, that hill takes a lot out of you, making that 4^th kilometer tough.  But I knew I was starting to slow down some, so I pushed as best I could and hit 3:37 for the 4^th kilometer.  I was a little discouraged with that splits but then my Dad challenged me to try and a 3:30 last kilometer; I liked that so I took off and pushed it.    My chest felt a little tight from the humidity but I wasn’t going to let anything keep me from getting a 3:30 that last kilometer.   As I ran around the lake and hit the 3 mile point, I took off and tried to sprint in the last 200 meters as best I could, which is very hard to do at the end of a fast 5k.  I pushed all the way until I hit the finish line.  I had run 17:40 for the 5k cross country time trial on a hot muggy Charlotte summer morning.  I was SO happy.  Plus I had run the last kilometer in 3:29, I had met the challenge …. HA!

After that successful time trial I can’t wait to attack my next 6 weeks of training until the Virginia Beach Half Marathon.  And then see what I can do at McAlpine again later in the fall.  But first, Virginia Beach here I come! J

Time Trial Success

Dad calling splits during my time trial

Hey everyone!  I have decided to start a blog to keep everybody (who is interested) up to date on what's going on in my life.  This is the first time I have ever written a blog, so lets see how it goes - hopefully it goes well!  :)

Today (Jan 15th), I planned on running a 5k time trial on the cross country course at McAlpine Park to prepare for the 2011 USATF Jr. XC Championships in San Diego in three weeks from today.  However, the weather had a different idea.  Thanks to my running friends, my dad and I learned that the snow that fell on Monday hadn't melted yet at McAlpine and most of the trail was covered in snow and ice still.  Now, I didn't feel like falling on my butt during my time trial, so my dad and I had to change plans.  We decided to move my time trial to Community House Middle School track.

I went to the track late morning with my mom and dad.  I did my 6 lap warm-up with strides, switched into my super fast shoes (racing flats), then did my drills.  I took off my sweats and we all walked over to the 200 meter point, where I would start.  After sharing high 5's with my parents, I got focused on the task at hand.

I lined up at the starting line and waited.  My dad did the 3 command start, "runners to your mark, set, GO!", then I was off.  There was a headwind on the finishing straightaway and a then it was at my back on the starting straightaway.  So I had to push on the finishing straightaway so I wouldn't slow down and then I would pick-up speed on the starting straightaway.

The first 7 laps I felt comfortable running and was on pace.  My splits were 78.0, 82.1,83.2,83.1,83.1,83.4 and 83.3 seconds.  Then it started getting harder and I slowed down to 84.6 and 85.2 on laps 8 ad 9.  I was really starting to hurt now but was determined not to let my pace keep slowing, so I pushed and ran 84.7 and 85.4 for laps 10 and 11.  That's when my dad said, "600 left, you can do it!"  So, I started picking up speed, pushing to go faster, as I came upon one lap to go, my mom "rang" the imaginaary bell to signal one lap left and I kept repeating "one lap left" in my head.  I ran 83.0 seconds for the 12th lap.

That's when I took off, I only had 200 meters left.  As I rounded the turn, I changed gears and tried my best to sprint to the finish line (it's pretty hard to sprint at the end of a time trial).  I ran the last 200 meters in 38.7 seconds.  As I crossed the I looked at my watch and saw 17:18.2.   I was thrilled and tired at the same time.  My time trial had turned out to be a big success! :)  Now on to San Diego!

Well, I hope you liked my first blog.  I will try and one or two every month to keep everyone updated on what I am up to.  Bye for now!