I *wanted* to be in one of the faster waves. I *wanted* to be challenged, pushed, and motivated. Months from now, those may be the words that I will use to describe my experience but, for now, I think words such as humbled, left behind, and discouraged are more on my mind.
TNT sends out the runners in waves as a way to minimize the impact on the running routes and, at the same time, attempt to have the majority of the runners finish around the same time. The slower runners therefore begin running first and the faster runners start later. My wave started last, and was made up of the faster runners. The majority of the group was planning to run the farthest distance of the run routes, but there were a few who would turn back sooner.
I could blame my inability to keep pace with the group on my potty stop, however I honestly felt the pace was quick (for a long run) right from the start. I went into the bathroom knowing that I hadn’t a prayer of ever seeing my group again…
except…when they passed me on their return. “Go Team,” I mumbled. I meant it, but my usual cheeriness was lacking in a major way.
By the time I crossed the finish line, the crowd was busily eating. A few looked up to hoot and holler at the few of us finishing. I tried my best at being appreciative rather than humiliated. After all, someone has to be last.
The thing was, I wasn’t really finished at that point because I was determined to run the “10 miles” that was on the training calendar. The coaches opted not to push the participants too far on this run since last week’s run was short on mileage. I did a pre-check in with the coach, and then slipped past the crowd to add on another 1.5 miles.
On top of appeasing my type-A personality, the additional distance will help me mentally prepare for a half-marathon that I will be running on July 13th. I was encouraged to do a longer race to gauge my fitness level at this point in the training. Of course am nervous about getting my butt kicked, when I seriously want to be the one to do the butt kicking. It’s not likely, but I will do what I can to convince myself otherwise. You all know that this sort of mental preparation (running 10 miles instead of 8.8) can go a long way to fueling a strong race.
Coming in at the back of the pack is a new experience for me but, it may be just what I need to challenge, push, and motivate me to excel. On race day, however, I seriously hope to move up in the pack a little….just a little.
Being at the back of the pack still means you’re out there, which is better than sitting on the couch. :)
Hey, I had some guy run up beside me at the local 5K last weekend and encouraged me to keep going, “I could do it!”, if I wasn’t running so slow slow I would have caught back up to him and tackled him. …we’ll get our revenge!
You must have an uncommonly fast TNT group to be at the back. I’m also thinking you would have kept close were it not for the potty stop.
It may be that come marathon day you are the only one running without an injury because these other people are not pacing themselves. That happened to a few of the fast runners in my group. Total rookie move – you know better.
When I run with beginners, I’m fast and it’s effortless. When I run with regular runners I’m way behind and struggling to finish the workout. It’s all relative, eh?
The point is that you paced yourself well and held yourself to your standards for both distance and pace. That is what makes the difference in kicking butt race day.
all i can say is: welcome to my world!!! on the other hand, you WILL get your revenge!
Dear Julie,
It is hard to keep reading about your frustrations on speed. It seems you wish to be one of the “fastees”, otherwise you are frustrated or the “slowees” are holding you back. You are not slow and you can go and go and go. There is a benefit, some can go faster but not go and go and go. It is a body-type thing and how you are built or trained. You just started working the speed thing and so your muscles have not changed to adapt to faster twitch. It is a different muscle type that can be trained to a point. You are not injured and don’t kill yourself trying to keep up or you will not be running at all and then will have to start all over and really be frustrated. “ENJOY” the challenge! I am not sure if the person in front of you is far, but if not, there is nothing wrong with adapting to the “tweeners” group to yours and a buddy’s pace but challenging and your distance…..Enjoy the ability to push yourself, take “your” splits and compare “your” old data to the current. Are you getting faster?????? Who really cares how you compare to everyone else. All of the marathon trainers are in the same boat. Trying to improve their own results regardless of everyone else. It is all relative. Love, Big sis
Frustrated? Yes, but not enough to request to run with the slower runners. I would rather be pushed than lead the pack. My ego will heal.
I should add, that I am also confident that I ran *at* the pace that I set out to run.
What was “that/your goal” pace?
What was the fast group pace? What was the slow group pace?