Monday, July 19, 2010

Stowe 8 Miler

Parking area before the race



I love this race mainly because it is a loop. I do NOT love it because of it's distance. I would have really rocked it today if it was the Stowe 5 Miler!  I do not know what the temp and humidity were but it was hot!  Thank goodness for shaded roads in spots but I don't ever remember being so soaked from sweat!

Mom and Daughter ready to race


This race was part of the New England Grand Prix series so there were seriously fast people there!  There was a cross country start in a wide field and teams got to be lined up together on the start. This seemed to be a big deal.  I must say it worked fine as I never felt crowded or pushed.  The first couple of miles passed fairly quickly with people settling into their places.  In the second mile I decided I was going to pick up my pace for 100 breaths each mile.  It seemed to work well in Mile Two although 100 breaths takes one farther than I would think.  Mile Three was where the uphills began but this strategy worked well as my pace was still fairly even.  Mile Four had this Wonderful long downhill that was also shaded.  This was my best mile the whole race.  I still held it together for Mile 5 but Mile 6 was my slowest mile as well as somewhat hilly.  I was really tiring although I still went for the pick it up for the 100 breaths approach.  I continued to be very tired in Mile 7 but at this time I knew the end was approaching.  I did not manage to do a faster anything in Mile 8.  It is pretty much all uphill.  I did not realize quite how much until I was driving past the course on the way home and could see that yes it was ALL pretty much uphill.  My last mile was not my slowest which is amazing.



Parking area before the race - very pretty, don't know how much you can tell but trust me it is!


So what was my time and stats.  My time was 1:13:46 for a 9:14 pace.   I have not yet gotten below a 9 for anything beyond a 5K.  I was 559/884.  I was 9/22 in my age group. I'll take it. I was hoping for more but it didn't happen today. (Last weekend I was 559 but out of far fewer people and I was 9 in my age group but out of fewer people. What are the chances of that?)

Here are my splits:
Mile 1: 8:50
Mile 2: 9:07
Mile 3: 9:11
Mile 4: 8:25
Mile 5: 9:06
Mile 6: 9:49
Mile 7: 9:36
Mile 8: 9:31

Emily ran the race with me. Her goal was to break an hour. Her time - 58:28!

We got there an hour earlier than needed because I had the wrong race start time.  Last weekend I thought it was a half hour later. I guess I need to start looking and stop assuming I know. The good thing was there were plenty of small shirts left. The bad thing was it is the same shirt as last year.

Done and ready to head home!

  I am glad I raced today but my PF is KILLING me tonight. I thought I had it under control but I think it is time to see my chiro about it.  I was visiting them about this same time last summer and it helped a ton.

25 comments:

Jocelyn said...

Sounds like an uphill battle! Still you rocked it! CONGRATS :)

TMB @ RACING WITH BABES said...

Sounds like fun. Some very hot fun. So great that you and Emily get to run together so often!

Pahla said...

Sounds like a terrific race - well done!! Crazy that you would come in the exact same place for two races in a row, what a funny coincidence. Congrats to Emily on kicking booty, she's amazing!

Molly said...

Another great race for you guys! Hope you get the PF taken care of soon!

Suzy said...

It sounds like a hot and great race for both of you! I'm ready for the temps to drop to normal because this is ridiculous. I hope your PF is better soon.

Jill said...

EEks, sorry about the PF, I have that also and it flares up now and then (unfortunatey more now than then - ugh). Massage therapy helps a lot, too.

You are just the racing machine!! Great job for getting out there in that heat, that is not easy. You are now the master hill racer I think :). Have a great week!!

Hannah said...

I have been missing you! Sorry I disappeared for a bit!

I'm so happy to be back, and to see you and your daughter still at it together. Makes me smile. Sounds like you had a great run - well done! Especially on the hills!

Marlene said...

Sounds like a tough race. CONGRATS!! Too funny that you placed the same overall and in your AG as last week.

Johann said...

Good run in the heat! Lucky number 9...? Rather wrong time early than wrong time late! Hope the PF is OK.

racing dawn said...

Looks like a beautiful run, minus the heat! Great stats too. Trying to figure out how to carry over my faster mileage times to longer distances too!

Darlene said...

Great pace - I'm impressed. Hope you PF feels better soon!

Heidi said...

Congrats ladies. That is pretty coincidental about your placings compared to your last race.

RunToTheFinish said...

ahh love races that are in pretty places. I think a 9:14 is a great pace! you'll keep bringing it down as you go..and ick do more speedwork :)

Monica said...

Another great race in your neck of the woods. I love looking at pictures of the pretty places that you run. Congrats!

Anne said...

Congrats on getting through this hot and hilly run! You are just amazing...so many races and intense runs. Impressive :)

Trish said...

Woo Hoo!! Congrats!!

LookingUpAgain said...

Great race!!

Char said...

I hate hilly races. There's not much glory in them - only pain. Well done on yours!

HappyTrails said...

Great job on the race - nice Incline Club shirt, wonder where you picked that up...? :-) It is cool you get to race with your daughter often, too!

Fran said...

I think you both did great especially with the hills and the heat. Well done!

Tricia said...

great job ladies

Jennifer said...

You look great and congrats to you and your girl! Wow did she run fast! And you time was way faster than I can do for 8 miles, UPHILL! Cheers!

Unknown said...

Nice job on the race, more hills! I'm sure you've tried a foam roller on your IT band? It helps so much, every night, ten minutes...keeps the injuries at bay!

Emz said...

I love that you run together.

Sounds like a dream to me!!

Awesome job. :)

Julie said...

Way to rock the hills! You are so lucky...you got to run with Em again:) Nice job and I think that you had a great pace for a challenging course! I love the pictures and enjoyed your race report. I have not run the 8 mile distance in a race yet. I have no idea what I would do for time. Enjoy your week!