1500 Meter Time Trial

I couldn't leave the spring track season behind without at least trying it...

Last night, Jesse and I met at the track for a 1,500 meter time trial.  It was just me, him, and a few random lacrosse players having practice on the infield...not a stadium full of spectators, or college-aged girls lined up at the starting line, or even official timing systems with starting guns.  Nope...it was very quiet and informal.  

We did a 2 mile warm-up, our usual drills, plus two, 100-meter strides to get a feel for our pace.  Then it was time to go.  I was a little nervous, like usual, but nothing like I experienced last weekend.  Our goal was to run 77-second quarter mile pace, which would take us to approximately 4:50 for a 1500.  

Note: Some of these splits were "eyeballed" as we passed through and those are noted with a {??}.

Splits:

75.??

2:35.29 ~ (79.??)

3:54.64 ~ (79.35)

4:53.54 ~ (58.89 for the last 300 meters)

It's not the best photo from my Blackberry.....

Some stats, per Jesse:

• I was ~3:35 at 1100 meters, which means my last 400 was ~78 seconds  
• My slowest lap was #2, and at worst it was a high 79/low 80
• First 800 meters - 2:35.3
• Last 700 meters - 79.3 + 78.5 pace (based on a 58.89 last 300) which was 2:37.8 pace {This works out to two-sub 2:40 half miles, back to back}  

Bottom line - I did it.  I know I can run faster. And I am now {really, really} ready to tackle the roads.  I didn't break my goal of 4:50, but there is no doubt in my mind that I couldn't in a real race situation.  I do have to thank Jesse, for the millionth time, for trekking out there with me today, and his athletes are extremely lucky to have an amazing coach like him!

It's hump day, people...we're half way through the week.  Enjoy your day!

Tracy

Accepting.

It’s been about 24 hours since I stepped foot on the track to run a race that has been embarked in my mind for months.  In a few words…things didn’t go as planned. 

Thoughts have been haunting my brain, feelings have been sifting in and out of my body, and I think I have finally wrapped my head around what exactly happened. 

Here was the scenario.  Yesterday was a brilliant and beautiful Saturday with temperatures in the 60’s.  Perfect weather for a track meet, and even more perfect for my debut.  The track was buzzing, the stands were filled and athletes were perfecting their pre-race/jump/throw routines. 

Me?  I did my warm-up…the same warm-up I do with Jesse every time we workout.  I felt ready to run because I knew my track sessions were good and my base was solid.  However, there was one tiny detail that was missing…my mental game.  

There I was, a 37-year old woman amidst over thirty college-age students and one thought kept going through my mind…”What am I doing here?”  I know this question shouldn’t have entered my mind because physically, I was there.  I was ready to run the time I set out to do.  I knew it, and Jesse knew it.   But mentally, something happened. 

We lined up and the gun went off.  I was seeded 8th in the first of three heats.  My strategy was to hang back in the first quarter or two and let the other girls so some of the work.  I also wanted to go out in 76-77 pace.  With racing, you never know what can happen and we went out at an extremely slow pace of 82 for the first quarter.  The pace picked up through next quarter and I can’t quite remember our 800 split, but all I do remember was something went wrong, mentally.  I ran about another 100 meters and quietly stepped off the track. 

As I said before, a thousand thoughts and feelings went through my mind as I exited the race.  Everything went quiet for a few seconds until I came to grips and understood what I just did, and even more importantly, why?

My first thought was that I disappointed myself, Jesse {since he has put so much time in with me}, and my family because they were all there for support. 

But then, after talking with my college coach {Mark Will-Weber}, he helped me put it all into perspective.  In so many words, Mark told me that I put high expectations on myself, and to be able to just step onto a track after a 15+ year hiatus is tough.  No matter how good a runner is, or how good of shape they’re in, it’s most likely that anyone would need a few track races to get accustomed to running that way. 

Jesse felt that the slow start was a serious mind {you know what} and said that when races begin that way, it’s hard to come back.  {I’m just glad he wasn’t disappointed in me}. 

My dad {who was my high school coach} told me that the road races are waiting for me.  

My husband…he gave me serious props for having the guts to get out there like I did, and told me he loved me anyway.

And my mom {God love her} is always my biggest fan...no matter what.

So after a sleepless night of rehashing yesterday’s events in my mind, I have come to realize one thing.  I will not give up.  One race won’t make or break who I am as a runner, as a person, mom, or wife.  I am not a quitter, I am a fighter, and I will continue to make great strides in my running regimen. 

Today I am taking a day off from running to enjoy my family.  Tomorrow is a new day and my running horizon is bright.  I can promise myself that. 

 

On a positive note…yesterday’s meet was a chance for Moravian College alumni to come back and mingle.  We had an alumni mile, an alumni relay, and a kids’ race too.  Once my race was over, I had a nice time seeing old friends and catching up.  Here’s a sneak peak…

Scot Dapp, Moravian's former football coach and currently the Athletic Director, has always been a follower of track & field and a friend of mine.

An old teammate and fellow national champion and Hall of Fame member, Greg O'Neil.  Tough as nails...that guy!

Another former teammate, Christina Zarnas Donahue.

Old family friend and former teammate in both high school and college, Bob Thear, running the alumni mile.  Love the smile on his face!

Overall, I had a great day.  It feels so good to be a part of the college, and the running program, that had a huge part in making me who I am today.  

Make it a great Sunday!

Tracy

Race Day Checklist.

Race Day! 

• Shake-out run with Lauretta yesterday.  Check.

• Pre-race meal of pasta and protein.  Check.

• Bag packed.  Check.

• Go to bed early.  Check.

• Eat my normal {pre-race} breakfast...with peanut butter, of course!  Check. 

 

• Try not to be so nervous.  Check.

• Go to the bathroom at least five times since rising out of bed.  Check.

Well, that about covers it and I am heading out soon.  All I need to do is show up, discuss the plan with Jesse and run fast...


I'll let you know how it goes.  Enjoy the day!


Tracy



P.S.  Look at the cute card that Lauretta gave me for good luck...

Lauretta is running a 10k tomorrow in preparation for her half in a few weeks.  I just know that she will kick butt! 

Back on Track: My 1,500

Phew...I made it to Easter break and I have five days ahead of me chock full of vacation bliss!  I will be able to run in the mornings, relax, read, weed my yard, and just be home and happy.  Cheers to that!  

On to the post of the day...

With my 1,500-meter race a mere week and a half away, I am starting to think about preparation ideas, race strategies, and time goals.  Keep in mind, I haven’t run anything less than a 5k in a long, long time so I am a little anxious to see how I will do. 

In college, I considered this distance as my forte.  My training was geared specifically towards middle-long distance events, and often times I was asked by my coaches to run the 800, the 3,000, or even the occasional mile relay.  However, in my mind, the 1,500 was my self-diagnosed specialty.   

Over time, I proved that this was the race for me.  In 1994, I won the 1,500 meter race at the NCAA Division III Track & Field Championships.  Talk about something being the highlight of a collegiate runner's career...this topped all!  

 

That's me...#144.  Obviously this is a photo of a photo because there was no such thing as digital shots in the olden days! :)  

I was a good athlete and listened to everything my coach wanted me to do.  Mark Will-Weber, a notable runner and author in his own right, was there to guide my way and help me reach my true potential.  

Mark wrote several books, including "The Quotable Runner" and "Run for the Diamonds: 100 Years of Footracing in Berwick, Pennsylvania." 

(Again, this picture is an oldie, but a goodie and my face looks slightly on the puffy side.  Very weird.)

While researching some updated middle distance strategies, I recently found a website that is filled with good workouts for someone training for the 1,500/mile.

http://www.runningplanet.com/training/mile-1500-meter-training.html

Within this website I found a rather informative article that focuses on race strategies starting from the first 100 meters to the final bell lap.  In my case, I still know what was successful for me in the past and I will probably work with Jesse to come up with a plan that is appropriate for my training and ability at this time in my life.

http://www.runningplanet.com/training/mile-1500-meter-race-strategy-tactics.html

So here we are, light years since that time in my life, and I will be toeing the line on April 14^th to run my first 3¾ laps in 15 years.  Sometimes I ask myself, “Why am I doing this?”  The answer is simple.  I love to run, I am enjoying the training again, and I am NOT getting any younger.    

All in all, there are ten days until I make my big debut again on the track.  With a few more speed sessions, long runs, and drills…I think I will be ready to tackle what I once considered my most prized affection.