I set my sights on an aggressive time, with three options that would please me:

1:10 FANTASTIC

1:12 I’ll take it and be very happy

1:14 Last years time = Ok  BUT….

The result:  I did fall within my goal. This is how I got there.

Disappointed and feeling defeated over the color of a bib.  Seriously?!

DSC00444

Be real, Joanne! After all, bib color just doesn’t matter.  It’s how you run after you cross the starting line.

The boilermaker start is a buzz with people.

boilermaker start

It was a well organized start with officials being very strict regarding bib color and corral placement.

I was relaxed as I spoke with a guy from Canada as well as the father of my former running coach. Conversation kept my mind off the task ahead.

The gun went off at 7:45 to signal the wheelchair start.  It didn’t seem long after the gun went off for the rest of us.

DSC00441

It took me a minute (seemed like 10!) to get to the starting line.    Garmin ON!

A little way down the road, some one yelled from one of the homes,  “9.2 more miles to go!”  Gee! Thanks!

My legs were Jell-o.   Was it nerves?  Running didn’t feel good at all.  It took a good 4 miles for my legs to shake that feeling.  It felt like a hard race right from the start.

Running Fuel:  Three hours before the start, I had half an Ezekiel bagel with half a banana, a pre race energy drink  25 minutes prior to the gun and took a Hammer Gel at mile 3, since my legs were feeling so bad.  I took water or ice at all but three of the water stations, but I was DESPERATELY seeking Gatorade!

The inclines were tough for me as was the heat.  There were some real “stinkers” on the course.  Getting wedged between two big sweaty guys on more than one occasion didn’t do much for the nose.

Ted was on his bike watching the race at different points along the course.  Unfortunately, we never saw each other.  He took the photo of the elite pak (above) as well as the a side view of Heman (waving in the photo).  *Pam (Ted’s daughter) and Heman came up from Florida for baby Alyssa’s Christening as well as the running of the Boilermaker. Unfortunately, injury prevented Pam from running…but wait until next year!

DSC00442

The inclines were tough, the down hill felt good. The flats seemed just as grueling as the hills.

As I was running, my thoughts turned to my ultimate goal:  “If I cross that finish line at 1:10, I’m NEVER doing this again.” That seems to be my “go-to” thought when I struggle in a race. Then what? I do it AGAIN! Never learn.  Annoyed

Turning up towards Utica College, I didn’t care about goal time any more. I was hot and diving into any sprinkler offered along the way.

Once past the College, I was wondering when I would hit the down hill.  It came.  It went.  I was on the straightaway again running the last mile.  MAN! That was one L O N G mile!

Finally, the finish line.  I saw 1:14:30.  I looked at my Garmin:  1:13.  My official NET time:  1:13:01.

Splits – per Garmin:

1.  8:01 – Jell-O legs

2.  7:40 – Saw my parents.  WAVE! *The first time my parents have seen me run a race.

3.  7:50 – on towards Valley View.  I can’t tell you how many times I’ve run this road.

4.  8:03 – Into the golf course and up the hill.

5. 7:02  *Whoo- Whoo! (it was a down hill…I must confess)

6. 7:33 – Genesee Street and Sunset Ave.

7.  8:20 – To Utica College…chug, chug, chug

8. 7:33 – Doooowwwwnnnn, we go again.

9. 8:05 –That last mile. Just….Keep…Going.  Don’t stop for anything.

.3.  7:10 – The finish line is within reach.

Finished 1723 out of 11043(from the Utica OD). 31 out of 474 in my age group (from the Boilermaker site), 292 female.

 

DSC00443

I’m happy with the results because I beat my time from last year and I put forth a good effort.  In the end, and as always, it was fun.  The crowd makes it fun no matter what you go through during the race. To be honest, if I had run the course in 1:10, I’d be back next year trying to beat it.

time

Always wanting more.  Oh well.

If you ran, hope you had a GREAT race. See you next year!

Print Friendly, PDF & Email