Training Log Archive: Ari-o

Chicago 26.2! This was fun. Mostly to run a hot race and not die.

Train down to start, NP bounce, prep, bags at bag drop, then off to the start pen. Nice to be in the front group. Race went out with pleasant temperatures and nearly all in the shade, so that was good. Had to use the mile markers for splits for a while, since the GPS gets so off in the Loop, but ran pretty even splits right around 6:45, a 2:57 pace.

I held that pretty well until around mile 16. At this point it was warmer, a lot sunnier, and my legs were beginning to get beat. I've also learned to cool down! To maintain the same pace my HR went from 150 to 157, and I was having to push unsustainably hard. I slowed down a little bit, to around 7:00s, and was able to maintain that for a few miles.

It got warmer, and I've learned my lesson. After the NP cheer station I backed off a bit, down to mid-7s, and cooled down; grabbing several cups of water at each aid station. CFD had big water jets out, but didn't have them all on until later! I stayed cool enough, ran a little faster for the last mile (but didn't really have a push) and finished, standing up. 3:02:37, less than 4 minutes off a PR given the heat is fine, although not enough to be set for a 2019 Boston. So I'll hope for good weather for next spring!

Then drank beer, cheered, ate, swam, drank beer, etc. Beats the heck out of sitting in hospital.

Street O, very relaxed pace, navigating well (helps to live in the 'hood), then pizza!