Sub 10:20 is a start!
I finally ran a real PR this weekend at the Saturn Midwest Distance
Solution (Hanson's meet at Hillsdale). Our team drove up that morning
(3 hours) and I settled in the dorms with Victoria Martinez (who had
been visiting the team the past week - a NCAA D2 Champ from Adam's
State).
This week I had been working on the mental side of
racing with Terry Fletcher (our team message guy). I had done some
visualization the past few days and even ran 7.5 laps on the track as
part of my premeet the day before just imagining myself smooth over the
barriers. It should not even be a concern for me since my legs are so
long and these are set so low. I also have no problem going over with
the left or right.
The problem just started a few years ago
and its been this reoccuring theme that I start hesitating and get into
a bad rhythm that pretty much ruins my race. I came up with a trigger
to remind myself to snap out of it and attack the barriers.. that way i
can actually put my good training and fitness to use and just race! So
anyways, with that strategy in mind, there was some major
improvements.. but i still was a little cautious thruout this race. I
just didn't want to go out crazy hard and blow up completely..
I was entered as the 6th runner - with the slowest time, but with the
confidence that I would not be finishing there. It was exciting because
it was the first race since my last steeple in college (NCAA Outdoor
06) that I was racing Amanda Lorenzen (Kuca) and Shauneen Garrahan.
Ever since 2004, it has always been a close race between us at
Nationals & each of us at one point held the NCAA III record (overall and meet record).
Here's a little NCAA history:
2004 1. Rudd 2. Garrahan 6. Kuca
2005 1. Garrahan 2. Kuca 3. Rudd
2006 1. Kuca 3. Rudd 4. Garrahan
The
weather was perfect as I did my warm up of 2 miles with Dawn Cromer
(formerly Cleary of Brooks). I remember her way back from 2002 when I
saw her race at USA's. We met earlier in the dorm, and figured we'd
warm up together to keep the pace from going out of control (can be a
problem for me when the adrenaline is going). For some reason my
morning shake out felt great, but I actually did not feel too good
during the warmup.. This was a first in a long time. I wasn't too
worried though because I know that means nothing when the gun goes off.
I just made sure to drink a lot when I got back to the track, because
the sun was still keeping the temp pretty warm.
I got a
chance to say a quick prayer (to control my nerves!!) with Shauneen -
who came all the way from Amherst to run for a last chance shot at the
"A" standard (sub 10:13), which she barely missed at NCAA's 2 weeks
before. I felt pretty good doing strides and run thru's. I actually
loved the fact that there was a bit more pressure, as it could have
been my last steeple of the season, just to give me that extra
incentive to stay on pace for my goal of 10:15.
The race
started off with Dawn and Amanda Lorenzen taking the lead with a quick
pace on the first lap. The rest of the field followed close by as I
appeared to have fallen off the back. I wanted to stay somewhat relaxed
and I wasn't worried because i was ahead of pace, hitting the first
230m in about 42 secs. My friend Brooke Ferguson (steeple girl formerly from Wartburg) was there to give me lap splits, so that helped as well. I split a 78 for the quarter with a good 5-10 meter gap on 5th. I
continued on an 81-82 pace for the majority of the race. There may have
been an 83 in the middle, which is where I knew I had to get on it, but
my shoulders started to tense up, so I knew I couldn't make a huge move
or I'd really be hurting. I worked that out and seeing the girls come
back to me in the final laps really helped.
Stephanie
Pelluzo (Zap) who ran her first steeple the week before (10:17) ended
up dropping out after about 800 because she hurt her ankle or foot. I
was also surprised to see Dawn slowing down after the 2nd K- staggering
around in lane 2.. I really give her credit for even finishing although
i know she's not too happy with it, but she told me later, everything
went blurry, and she even had to stop to walk for a while.. She was up
there with Amanda for most of the race (who ended up winning with a
huge pr of 9:53!!) Since they had gone out the first 400 in low 70's i
really didn't have any contact with her.
Shauneen and Andrea
Parker were feeling the fast pace from the early laps when i passed
them with about 2 to go. I somehow ended up in 2nd place with some $
for hitting the Trials B Standard (10:20). I was really happy
that I had my first solid race over the barriers (including the water),
and used what I had been practicing ("ATTACK") during the race. I do
know, however, that I was clearly not spent at the end, and I will
learn to run this race hard like it should be for my next attempts.
Today was a break thru though, to have a solid race with my final time
in 10:18. John was right near the water pit giving me feedback and it
also helped hearing others yell for me around the track.
I
know a 10:18 is nothing to brag about, especially getting my butt
kicked by over 25 seconds by Amanda (congrats to her), knowing I used
to be at her level, but a PR is a PR, so i just was happy knowing I
took a step (although small) forward. I had never guessed earlier this
season that with this amount of fitness I wouldn't have gotten under
10:10, but this race is different than an all out mile or 5k.
I entered my time for USA's, but realistically I'm not going to get in
when there have been so many girls under the A standard. The NCAA's
were crazy fast with a 10:08 not making it to finals! This event has
really picked up over the last few years, and its funny to think back
to my freshman year where a 10:15 would rank you near the top of the
world list.
This coming weekend I am most likely going to
race at the American Milers Club race in Bloomington, either a
last-last chance steeple (yes i know, AGAIN) or possibly a 1500. Either
way I'd also love to get a chance at a 5K on the track before my season
ends. We'll see what good old Coach has to say.
I also just
want to say that the best race of the meet was watching Victoria run so
well in the 1500 with a big PR (finally breaking 4:20) - with a 4:17. I
knew that was coming after she was doing her 300's in 44 seconds
earlier in the week at practice. :) Nice job !!! Also - it was great to
see our recruit Mark Wieczorek run strong in the 800 - almost a PR in
1:48. It would be awesome if Victoria, Mark and Shauneen decided to
join the Invaders!
One
more thing - Here's a quick news story on running & spiritual life
written by my friend Phil Turner (he lives in DC but I met him a few
summers ago when I was running at my friend's triathlon race in WI).
http://news.medill.northwestern.edu/washington/news.aspx?id=37735
post comment
Untitled Comment
1:05 PM, June 12, 2007
.. Posted by Carrie
Yay Rudd! I knew you would bust out a sweet PR. Congrats on a great race. As Journey said "Don't Stop Believing"
Do it, work it, love it. :)
Untitled Comment
12:49 AM, June 19, 2007
.. Posted by popizz
yeah crud!
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