Today was what I've always referred to as the start of Chicago racing season-the Shamrock Shuffle 8K. I've run this race a whole bunch of times and I'm always really excited for it.
But, today, it just felt meh. And, I have no idea why.
I went into it feeling pretty healthy; besides my lingering adductor and glute issues that I've decided I will have for life. I felt good.
I knew I wasn't as fit as last year; this winter's focus was more strength training and about 10-15 miles less per week than last year at this time. So, I wasn't going into it thinking PR. But, I wasn't going into it to lolly gag, either.
As I shuffled into my corral (all logistics went well/easy today-even got a bathroom stop in), I saw so many people having so much fun with their friends. People dressed up in cute matching costumes, overhearing their plans for after the race. They all just looked like they were having fun. I think I might have been a little jealous. Lately, I've been really missing having that core group of friends to run with; but, the reality is, I haven't had that group in many years by now. And, for the last few years, it hasn't really bothered me. But, recently, I've felt like I'm missing out. So, maybe that set the tone for the race. I just felt a bit melancholy.
The race began and I felt fine. I didn't feel amazing or bad; I felt fine.
I told myself not to look at my watch since the GPS is always off in the loop (downtown Chicago) and I didn't want it to effect my mood (what if it was too slow? too fast?). So, I just ran off of effort -somewhere around a 6 out of 10 for the first two miles. I glanced at the elapsed time on my watch at each mile marker and again, just felt eh.
Around mile 3, I checked in with myself and decided to keep the effort level about the same. My watch beeped Mile 4 when the mile marker was still far off in the distance. This happened last year, as well; so, it didn't really throw me off. I knew I was about :40 seconds off-pace from last year. So, there was no reason to go all out and increase effort level at this point. Definitely no PR's today. But, I wasn't mailing it in, either. Pushed effort to about 7 out of 10 once I passed the mile 4 marker, knowing the course like the back of my hand: a turn onto Michigan Ave, a straightaway, Mt. Roosevelt and another straightaway.
Once I got onto Michigan, running south, and entered the cheer zone, I felt energized for the first time the whole race. Thank you to all the cheer stations!! After that, I kept effort level around 7 up Mt. Roosevelt and upped it to about an 8 out of 10 for the last straightaway.
I felt better than last year as I crossed the finish line. I ran slower, but also paced this race really well for the effort level I decided to give it. I should be more excited about that-a well-paced race is a good thing. But, some days, you just feel meh.
Instead of trying to figure out why, I'm racking it up to: that's just life. Some days you're loving it; some days you're meh'ing it.
I also realize I failed at keeping a weekly blog on my training for this race; blog posts, in general, fell by the way side the past month. Here's to beginning them again.
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