In the fury of last week, I failed to mention that Sunday was race day: the Oakland Half Marathon.
Perhaps I subconsciously avoided the topic because nothing in me wanted to race. Not only was the weather supposed to be awful, but I haven’t raced since the Las Vegas Half in December, which was before I started training for IMAZ. Deep down, I think I was afraid to face where my running fitness was.
But being the person who hates wasting money, I wasn’t about to back out. Plus, all of my Bay Area running friends would be there – I couldn’t DNS.
Shout out to Caitlin, Alyssa, Angela, Cate, Kristin, Jessica, Sesa, Layla, Karin, Jana, Dennis, Naomi, Kerry, Jojo, Nick, and Pavement Runner who all raced!
The Oakland Half marathon kicked off at 9:15, the latest start I’ve ever experienced. However, I wasn’t one to complain as the sky was dark and gloomy, but void of any precipitation. It was going to be perfect running weather.
Armed with a Gu shoved in my bra, my iPod shuffle, Oiselle arm warmers and my throwaway gloves, I stood in the corral with only the following strategy in mind:
Just run however you feel.
With the incorporation of two new sports into my training, I had no idea what to expect. If I felt sub-par, I told myself to be ok with it and just take it as a training run. I’d go with whatever pace my legs and heart could hold.
The gun went off and we ran through shooting confetti. The energy was effervescent.
The reason racing is so important to me in a training schedule is because of the undeniable energy. There are no motivational words that can give you the same adrenaline kick like racing. It never fails to suck me in and push my limits.
As soon as we started, I felt my energy mount and my legs just…went.
The first couple of miles were a matter of finding my place in the pack. I usually try and spot someone to pace with. I found my pacer in woman in all black (who was in amazing shape) and I was determined to stick with her. As we made our way, I could tell that we were working off of each other.
I was able to stick with the woman in black until mile eight or nine, and soon, the bad ass shot ahead. I was proud that I stuck with her and even more excited for her to demolish the rest of the course.
Speaking of the course, it was mostly flat with a few little climbs. However, to say it had a few turns would be an understatement. I tried my best to run than tangents and shorten my stride/pump my arms on the little climbs around Lake Merritt.
It was when I was rounding the lake that I began to feel myself lose some steam. I was tired and ready to call it a day. But when I looked down at my watch, it hit me: I could PR and break 1:30.
I had maybe two miles left and if I could keep my pace under 7 minute miles or so, I might be able to make this happen. At that exact moment, some Eminem song came out that deluded me into thinking I was a bad ass. I was going to do this.
Pumped with an excessive amount of mental motivation, I rounded the final stretch back into downtown. But instead of a straight shot into the finish, I saw that last 100 meters was a hill. Shit.
I pumped my arms.
I tried to ignore the pain.
I saw Aron cheering on the side.
I crossed the finish.
1:30:07.
6th in my age group, 14th female (out of 2,078), 68th overall (out of 3,456)
An 8 second PR, but I just couldn’t break 1:30.
Damn it.
Mile 1: 6:31 (Going out too fast)
Mile 2: 6:42
Mile 3: 6:45
Mile 4: 6:37
Mile 5: 6:52
Mile 6: 6:48
Mile 7: 6:50
Mile 8: 7:02 (Losing my mojo and the girl in black)
Mile 9: 6:58
Mile 10: 6:51
Mile 11: 7:06 (Lake Merritt hills)
Mile 12: 6:53
Mile 13: 6:38 (It’s game time)
Last .1/.22: 1:27 (My watch says the course was actually 13.22 miles!)
You could call it mental anguish, but I was just pissed. If that woman didn’t run into me at that aid station or what if I took the corners better. The amount of “what ifs” that ran through my head was unnecessary.
I later met up with my friends who all ran amazing races (it must have been our matching purple socks). To see them, not to mention the post-race mimosas, was what made my mental torture subside.
I later texted Coach Paul and he reminded me, “A PR is still a PR. You’ll get your sub 1:30 this year!” And you know what, he’s right.
This race reminded me that I need to trust in Coach Paul and the training program he’s giving me. I was really frustrated with my running as I wasn’t running as much and I feared that it was deteriorating. But in reality, everything I’m doing is working. Instead of running aimlessly everyday, the workouts I do are specific and intentional.
I’m now determined to break 1:30 this year and I know Coach Paul will help me get there. I just need some trust. Trust in my training, trust in myself.
Happy Running!
You still did awesome, don’t sell yourself short, and those splits… you are quick! Remember that.
Also, since it was a very twisty course, it makes sense that it was “long”. When measuring a course, they usually ride in the BEST possible location to make it the shortest distance. Most of the time, if your Garmin reads 13.1, the course is actually short.
As an Oakland reader, I LOVE this recap. Next year, I hope to have worked up to the half-marathon distance and run this race in my home town. Seeing you write about Lake Merritt is surreal as it’s where I’m currently working up to running a 5K. (Yeah, I’m a baby runner.)
I’m so happy for your PR and you will clearly annihilate 1:30. No doubt.
I say blame it on the long course. At 13.1 you were clearly under 1:30!
Awesome race!
I have the same pair of throw-away gloves.
oh, and congrats on the PR
You are so smoking fast! Congrats on the sweet PR! I feel your pain after missing sub-1:40 by 6 seconds in September, but you are SO going to get sub-1:30!
Congrats on your PR! You have such great running form…so awesome to see
Looks like the meet-up was super fun 
Congrats on your PR! I must say, I’m noticing a trend in all your race posts: you waaaay underestimate what you are capable of, and then blow yourself and everyone else out of the water with how well you perform! Just imagine what you could do if you started believing in your own strength a bit more?!?!
YOU ARE AWESOME. Congratulations on the PR! Also, I envy your running form. And your red hair.
You are so awesome! If we ever do a training weekend together, can we NOT run? Because your half marathon pace is my 400 meter interval pace. Or maybe I’ll ride my bike and you can run along side me? Haha seriously though – you are inspiring! I hope to be as fast as you one day!
Nice race speedy! If that course was 13.1 You could have crushed that PR! Next time
You are SOOO fast! I know you’ll get that sub-1:30 soon!
A PR is a PR so true, such a smart coach! You did great!
Congrats on the new PR! I’m sure it must have been a real confidence boosting race since you weren’t sure where your run fitness was. A sub 1:30 will be yours soon!
You were awesome! Seriously, give yourself credit for your PR. You *will* get your sub 1:30!
WOAH- way to rock it on the course!! Very excited for you and know you will get your sub 1:30 SOON! Congrats!!!
Congrats girly!! Awesome race! You did great and it is an awesome PR! You will go sub 1:30 this year!
Wow, you ONLY ran 13.22?! I’d say you ran the tangets very well — my race was much longer! Congrats Page! Your sub-1:30 is right around the corner.
Awesome race! Congrats on the PR! And it sounds like you ran a perfect race! I wouldn’t worry about the 6 seconds, you’ll break 1:30 at your next half marathon I bet.
way to go page! even though it wasn’t quite what you hoped for it’s pretty damn impressive and a PR is a PR. and look at that form! yowza : )
at my half a couple weeks ago i had the same fear of seeing where my running fitness was after running so much less training for IM, but was also pleasantly surprised. just means we’re doing something right i guess!
So close! You’ll definitely get your sub-1:30 this year, I know it! Also, be very proud that your running pictures look fabulous. Seriously. You actually look like you’re running, instead of … very nearly dying (all of my running photos, ha).
Sending smiles!
Congrats on a great race! Sounds like all of the swimming/biking is helping you be a faster runner too? Or maybe it’s like you said, just that all of your running workouts are very specific and intentional. Either way, you will get that 1:30 soon!
Congrats on your PR! And you all got those RunLove Compression Socks! You’ve worn a lot more compression socks than I have. How do the RunLove ones compare to other ones that you’ve worn?
First, Page obviously mega congrats, I love seeing how your tri-training is translating into making you a stronger runner even if you aren’t focused on running.
Second, 13.22 sounds totally reasonable. what is wrong with my Garmin? Or do I suck that bad at tangents? As I’m sure you’ve heard me whine, I clocked a 13.32, AND my Garmin was a full 30 seconds short of the clock time, meaning the 13.32 was missing certain lengths (the tunnel methinks). I shouldn’t care, but it makes me mental.
Awesome, awesome job!!! I’d be damn proud if anything 1:30:xx was by my name. In my dreams!
WAY TO GO!
You’re incredible. Seriously? “Mehhhhh don’t want to raceeeeee” to a PR and 1:30 and awesome race pics to boot? Machine.
I know what it is like to miss a time goal by a few seconds (2:00:04 of 2006, I shake my fist at you). It sucks but you know what, you know you are definitely going to get there soon. And yes, a PR is a PR!
Wow. You are incredibly fast. Thanks for the shout out. That hill at the end is a killer. It’s just enough of an incline to think you can sprint up it, but just enough to slow you down a bit. Awesome job out there. Keep training strong and congrats on the PR.
Geez lady, you are so speedy! Awesome awesome work, maybe there’s something to all this swimming and biking??
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I also missed my goal by seconds (but my goal was 35 minutes longer than yours, ha!) and my Garmin read 13.25 miles. Congrats on the PR, and I agree with the comment above about looking good in your photos — you should be proud of both of those accomplishments!