My life is a bit unpredictable, so I tend to hold off from signing up for races too far in advance. About this time last year, I ran my first half marathon, the Peninsula Half Marathon. I would of loved to run this again this year, but I am not in South Africa, so that was a wash. My second half I ran was Two Oceans. This was my first BIG race and I loved it. The course is all around my neighborhood and the crowd support is amazing. When I found out I would be in Cape Town for April, I scored a late international entry. I got confirmation this morning and I could not be happier. I have been looking for a race to start training for and this one is perfect.
 |
| Source |
Although I enjoyed the race last year, I was not thrilled with my time. I ran 1:55:21 at the Peninsula Half Marathon in Feb and was hoping to shave off a minute or two for Two Oceans. That did not happen, but I take responsibility. Now that I have the experience of the race behind me, I have a better plan.
Mistake #1: I had a proper training plan that I followed for Peninsula Half and I “winged” it for Two Oceans. I assumed I would stay in half marathon shape by running a couple times a week.
Solution: Even though I feel in half marathon shape, I still need a plan to follow and add structure to my workouts. I also need to incorporate some speed workouts if I have any plans of a PR.
Mistake #2: I got sick in March and took about 2 weeks off from running. I panicked when I realized I had two weeks to the race and started running more “to make up for it”. I felt out of shape and dissappointed with my workouts the weeks leading up to Two Oceans.
Solution: Enjoy the training as much as the race. Keep my thoughts positive NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS. Run for the love of running and not to fulfill expectations.
Mistake #3: I had never ran a chipped race. I assumed that meant that my time started when my foot crossed the starting line. I think this is true for some races, but not Two Oceans.
Solution: Get into my corral that I am assigned and get started as soon as possible.
Mistake #4: I had no idea how crazy the traffic was going to be getting to the start. We cut it close and ended up jogging to the start moments before the start of the race. We started at the VERY back of the starting line. Since I assumed my time didn’t start until I crossed the starting line, I was not concerned.
Solution: Get there EARLY. Wear throw away clothes and brave the cold while waiting in my corral.
I will have to think about it more, but this were my initial thoughts on improving my time and having a better race. I am going to be putting together a training program in the next couple days and making a realistic goal time to work towards.
It’s amazing that just the other week I was looking for my next race and this week, something came up. Uncanny, but I’m not surprised. Putting your aspirations out into the world is pretty powerful…
*This post brought to you by car blogging….We are on a road trip and I’m reaching my max of this PGA golf channel on XM radio.
What have you learned from past races?
The post Another Half appeared first on Posh Meets Pavement.
