Running race 1:30:24 [4] 15.0 km (6:02 / km) +111m 5:49 / km
shoes: adidas Response TR 14
Boilermaker, Utica NY
48.9%
4601/9773 421/684
The only mile on pace was the first one and then I just got slower. It was a new feeling to be unable to maintain the pace of my corral mates. By 4k, the runners of corral 4 (green) had all passed me. By the finish, I was surrounded by runners from corral 6, the slowest corral.
By the 3 mile marker, my watch told me that my projected time (based on my May 5k in NL) was not attainable and I shut down the rockets. While fighting my body to keep moving, I took in scenery that was just a blur in years past.
At the first water station of the two descent miles (5 and 8), I came to a full stop, grabbed two cups of water, drank them both down as I walked, decreasing my forward momentum for the rest of the downhill. Even so, my first few steps on the grass of that formerly glorious golf course mile 5 confirmed that this is where I tore my meniscus years ago. I have stopped advising people to attack that downhill.
I worked hard to prevent those ten-minute miles today but my perceived effort failed. Though I have lost significant leg speed (83% of a year ago), the difficulties today were likely due to detraining and dehydration.
Detraining was confirmed by chaffing in new and unusual places (tops of my feet, right underarm). These day, I can't even put in enough training to callous my skin. I'll need extra body glide next July. I was out on course much longer than I'm used to.
While it has never rained during the Boilermaker race (not once in 31 years), there was significant downpour all through my pre-race warm-up run. The rain cooled the thermometer but the humidex was likely extreme. It was the warmest start for any of my BMs: 73F. I couldn't really judge the environmental conditions with the headwind and the lack of shadows (overcast skies) but I could tell from thirst that something was off. Even though my tummy was sloshing, I started taking water at every station in the final 5k. In the last mile, I even felt thirsty before drinking.
I actually enjoyed an unofficial popsicle at the mid-point of the race. It was yummy and just what I needed - risky but yummy.
Taking so long to finish, there were a few thousand more runners already at the post-race party which I skipped. I grabbed a soda, some water and a snow cone and headed to the car.
While not happy about the time. I am SO GLAD that I got in another BM. I still have 30 minutes of play before the time limit is a factor.
splits: 9:03 9:18 9:32 (29:00) 9:58 9:13 9:58 (59:10) 10:16 9:51 10:19 target 84:22
walking warm up/down 17:00 [1] 1.7 km (10:00 / km)
shoes: adidas Response TR 14
All chip times were lost at the Boilermaker. The starting mats malfunctioned.