I decided to kick off my running year the same way as last year. This indoor race is an interesting experience. I actually enjoyed it even more than last year as I took a minute off my time! Yes, it sounds boring to run 105 laps on an indoor college track. But it really isn't!
W and I stayed at the Inn at Ohio Northern and enjoyed it just as much as last year. It's a gorgeous inn and it has an excellent restaurant. There aren't many options in the tiny town of Ada so it's nice to have what you need in one place.
W felt a little under the weather but she fought through it and came to the race on Saturday morning. The ONU track/cross country teams were again ready to count each runner's laps. My lap counter did a great job of shouting out ever half mile split to me. He worked hard to make the race enjoyable, and I greatly appreciated it!
Obviously there is not much to say about the course. I've now seen it 210 times in two years. I did adjust to it quicker this year but paid for it later on. My quads were KILLING ME for the two days following the race. So many laps on a short track brings about different aches and pains than normal running. I did start much faster than last year and kept up with the eventual winner. The race was much more competitive as four of us finished within two minutes of each other. That fast start came back to bite me some, but I felt pretty comfortable throughout much of the race. That's surprising considering it had been two months since my last race.
Here are my splits:
Mile 1- 7:20 Mile 2- 7:28 Mile 3- 7:45 Mile 4- 7:43 Mile 5- 7:42 Mile 6- 7:44 Mile 7- 7:53 Mile 8- 7:29 Mile 9- 7:36 Mile 10- 7:43 Mile 11- 7:41 Mile 12- 8:14 Mile 13- 7:32
Final Time- 1:41:06
I took over a minute off last year's time. That surprises me since I had the long layoff and was pretty inconsistent with my training. I finished 3/19 overall. The half marathoners actually outnumbered the full marathoners this year. I found that interesting, as last year was quite a different story.
I'm in another lull between races. February was slim pickings and there was nothing that jumped out at me. I'm going to run a trail race next, which I haven't done in several years.
Next race: Super Bull Trail Championship 12.5K- Wooster, OH
