An Unexpected PR

Today is my birthday and it also marks the 10-day countdown for my marathon! Last Sunday I raced in the Pittsburgh EQT 10 miler. It had been over a month since I had raced and I was itching to toe the line. I wasn't exactly toeing the line I was way back in corral C, but still you get the point; I was ready to compete last Sunday!

Race Kit

Heading into the Pittsburgh EQT 10 miler I was not expecting a stellar race. I have been consistently focusing on my endurance rather than speed. Over the past seven weeks I have worked on going further and further each long run, but I do not pay much attention to my pace. For my long runs (half-marathon and longer) my pace ranges from 9:00 min/mile to 10:00 min/mile, while my pace for shorter runs ranges anywhere from 8:45 min/mile to 7:45 min/mile. I listen to my body; when I feel good I go fast, and other days I just go at a pace I can handle to complete my scheduled run.

I haven’t really run longer than a 10k at race pace since my half marathon, so I was not sure what the result would be for a 10 miler on a challenging course. My 10-mile PR was a 1:33:37, which I ran during an 18-mile training run a few weeks back.

I honestly did not know what to expect from myself when I woke up on race day. I push myself to run faster when I am running with others and when I don't have to run as far. However, I did not know if I could maintain my faster pace for 10 miles. I had arrived at the race at 7:15 (45 minutes till the start) and waiting in the cold was miserable. At one point I even thought that if I ran faster I would stay warmer (Not my brightest idea ever). As the start of the race neared I decided I was just going to try and run a consistent pace of 9:00 min/mile. I figured I would be able to gauge my marathon pace better if I raced the 10 miler as if I still had 16.2 more miles to go. This was my first really big road race and I wanted to embrace every moment before the start gun fired. With my strategy in place I started jamming out to the pump up music. I find dancing keeps the mood light and the body warm. Before long I had danced my pre-race jitters away and my body over to the 9:00min/mile pacers. When the gun went off I was off and moving according to plan.

For the first few miles I stuck with the pacers and I was feeling fantastic. It didn't even feel like I was racing, rather I was just running for the joy of running. I was able to look around, take in the skyline, look towards the bridges, and climb the hills as they came. At mile marker 4 I started to speed up; when I feel good I run faster, combine that feeling with the exhilaration of running with 3,000 other runners and you have a recipe for disaster or a PR!

At the halfway mark, the course took us over another bridge, which was lined with cheering fans. I soaked in every cheer and funny sign I saw, and kept running at a pace I felt comfortable with. I made sure I walked through the aid stations for the sole purpose of not spilling Gatorade and water all over me since I am awful at running and drinking from those cups. At mile number 8 I realized I had really sped my pace up, but I was still feeling good. I was so shocked that I had maintained negative splits, and I was determined to keep it that way since the rest of the race was pretty flat and even a little downhill. A sub 1:25:00 10-miler was now in sight and I was determined to give it my all and go for a PR. For the last two miles I decided just to use everything in me until I crossed the finish line. 

I finished with a time of 1:24:42, accomplishing my last minute goal of running a sub 1:25:00 10-miler!!! I got my medal and made my way through the finishers area in search of my roommate, Hannah, who was volunteering. I finally found them at the bagel table; it was so nice to see friendly faces handing out one of my favorite foods! I am so thankful that they were there since this was the first race I have done without my parents there to cheer me on at the finish. We took pictures, I grabbed a bagel, a mylar blanket, said my goodbyes and headed towards the bus stop to go home.

Hannah and I at the finish!

On the bus ride home I called my parents excitedly to discuss my PR; I tried to share my race experience as possible since they were not able to make it to the race. I think I was successful in making them even more excited to experience the marathon with me in 10 short days!

Official Results

Finish Time: 1:24:42 (splits: 8:57, 9:00, 8:50, 8:50, 8:19, 8:15, 8:13, 8:07, 8:02, 7:26)

Overall: 929 out of 3,611

Female: 329 of 2,161

Female 20-24: 54 of 241

One Run, Two Run, Bad Run, Good Run

When I first started running back in May every run felt like a bad run. I hated it. My muscles hurt. I could barley catch my breathe. Every mile felt like an eternity, but I kept with it. I was committed to training for my Spartan Race and marathon, plus I wanted to know why every other runner seemed to be smiling and loving life every time they went for a run.

After a few weeks of consistent training, running became easier and dare I say it even enjoyable. I was ecstatic about my new passion. You know that runner’s high feeling, right? I have that feeling after almost all my runs and last Sunday was no exception. I got to do an 8 mile run with my dad! It was the best run I have been on in a long time; talking, laughing, and running with my dad for 8 miles was the best way I could spend a Sunday morning.

Huge shout out to my dad for his distance PR of 8 miles!

I have four more weeks till my first full marathon and I still feel that runners high after every run. I am so excited for my race and so far I haven’t become discouraged by my training. I have been able to finish all my long runs even when I don't think I can. I have been getting faster and I feel more confident as a runner. I was feeling so great on Sunday, but when I headed out for my 20 mile run on Monday things took a turn for the worse.

For the first time in my training I was defeated by a long run. The first 10k was a breeze, but it all went down hill when I took a lemonade GU. I was throwing up a mile later, my body was hurting, and my legs were cramping. In a nut shell my run sucked, and by mile 15 I threw in the towel and quit. In my cramped state of pain, I found myself questioning why any human would ever make themselves try to run that far? As I waited for the bus to come I questioned everything that happened to make something I love so much, suddenly suck so bad?! I called my dad crying about my cramps and failures as a runner. I hadn’t experienced this kind of pain or disappointment in myself in a very long time. My dad was quick to remind me that bad runs are unavoidable. Bad runs suck and can be soul crushing, but it is all part of the process. For every bad run there will be a countless number of amazing runs. Take this bad run as a lesson and try and reflect on potential causes—Robyn are you taking care of yourself properly with rest and nutrition? Robyn are you stressed out? Robyn how are you feeling today, both physically and mentally?

I would rather have had my bad run while training than on race day. I learn something from every run, usually that lesson is on persistence and mental strength. Last Sunday I learned that it is okay to let go of a run, but that I must get up and try again. Every day presents me with a fresh opportunity to run and feel that runners high! If I have an off day that's okay because I have the resolve to wake up fresh and try again tomorrow! I have had great runs all week and I look forward to conquering 20 miles on Sunday!