Groundhog Prediction Race
About the Race
This race was unique in that athletes were able to choose from three distances to run:
2.22 miles
3.33 miles
4.44 miles
2 of 3 races
All 3 races
Regardless of which race(s) athletes chose to participate in, they had to predict the time they were going to run, without knowing the course. They had to submit their guesses when they registered for the race and WERE NOT allowed to wear any timing devices to help pace or guide them during the race.
Purpose of This Race - For Me
This is a great “training” race because you really get to focus on your body in a race situation and find out exactly how you’ll react in that type of setting and determine if you are able to meet your goals. It also allows you to see where you need to focus on training during the remaining part of the off-season. So that was the purpose for me for this race.
Race Week
I did not feel well the days leading up to the race. I knew it wasn’t Covid, but I was feeling extremely exhausted. Tuesday I was in bed the entire day and slept. I felt less exhausted the rest of the week, but I still felt off. I decided not to workout. I really wanted to, but I was trying to listen to my body and give it the rest that it was telling me I needed.
Race Day
I registered for the 3.33 mile race, and since I was still trying to get back in my groove, I think I said I was going to do a 12:40 min/mi run. When I got to the venue, I learned that it was a mostly flat course, with one small hill. We had to run this loop 3 times - as an homage to the movie, Groundhog Day.
To be honest, I was listening to music, and just planning on going with the flow of the day because the week had been meh. I did turn my Garmin on, not to cheat, but to see where I was at the end of the race and to see how my body reacted with the frigid weather (and wind). (I had no idea what my time was when I ended.)
I didn’t have any idea that I ran an 11:26 min/mi on the course - over a minute faster than I expected. I was kinda stunned, and pretty proud of myself. I even won my age group! OK, to be fair, that normally doesn’t happen because my age group is usually pretty freaking competitive. Yeah, I was the only person in the 40-49 age group. But ya know what … I’ll take it! I was out there, I ran, take that! (Yeah, I don’t know who that’s towards, but I’m saying it to the world in case anyone needed to feel it too.) I now have the medal to prove it - so there!!!!
Review Race Goals
Have fun - Ran the course and was smiling and high-fiving all of the athletes the entire way
No slower than anticipated time - I ran more than a minute faster; not as fast as last year yet, but I’m still proud of myself
Work on run form - I know my running form wasn’t “on” the entire time, but I really focused on it when I was tired, which was really hard to do. I could tell I did things differently because I was sore the following day and where I was sore. Overall, I’m pleased, but this is something I need to keep working on
