“What do you think about while you’re running a race?”
Mostly, I think about running.
The Philly 1/2 marathon was both literally and metaphorically the fastest 13.1 miles I’ve ever ran. The time flew by because my brain was in full on race mode.
When asked about my race strategy, people are often surprised to learn I don’t really have one. Despite the fact that I’m currently running with a GPS watch (and refer to it often), I mostly run by feel. I also try to run a smart race and push myself to work harder than I want to.
Earlier in the year I mentioned I don’t want to limit myself by predetermined ideas about what race times I think I’m capable of,I just want to train hard, run my best and see what that translates too out on the course.
And that was the plan for Philly.
Back to my brain on Race Day.
My thoughts go something like this:
Am I running too fast?
On a scale from one to ten how hard does this feel?
Where on this street should I be running? Is there a turn up ahead?
How far off is my garmin from the actually race course distance?
Oh hey there, Gia!
Do I need water?
I feel freaking amazing!
Calm the freak down, anything can happen.
Okay, mile 7 half way there.Three more miles till the race starts. How many times can I count to 100 before the final 5k?
Mile 9: breakfast was a long time ago, I should eat my gu just to be on the safe side.
YES!! 5k to go! Pick it up and bring it home!
Go! Go! Go!
I can’t go any faster. Must slow down.
Two miles, two miles, two miles
How many miles are in a kilometer again?
Don’t slow down, don’t slow down!
Shit, I’m not going to make it.
How am I ever going to run the NYCM?
Maybe I won’t.
Is that the finish line?
No. Keep going.
Run faster!
That’s the finish line!
Quick throw your hands up in the air and try to look excited instead of panicked!
It was 1:42:15 of a non-stop chatter party in my brain. Let’s see if I have the endurance to do the same thing for 26.2 in November!
Nichole says
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GREAT job. That time, you finished healthy and strong.
This is awesome news – shows how hard you trained and worked towards this goal.
Awesome stuff!
Caroline says
Congrats! You did awesome! And I’m sure you’ll do the same in November
Jess says
Rock ON!!! That is an amazing and speedy time!! Go YOU! I love that you ran this mostly by feel…and loved the chatter going on in your brain ,hehe. sounds a lot like my brain actually 😉
Sara @ Running in Pink says
That jumping picture at the end is priceless! Awesome job!
Krissy @ Shiawase Life says
NICE WORK! Excellent recap (so many thoughts when racing – I can definitely relate) and good luck in November!!!!
Ashley says
I love this post – my brain is so freaking similar when I run! It is all over the place – sometimes it helps me get through the race and sometimes it makes it worse! Great race though – speeeedy! You will do AMAZING in the NYCM!
Melissa K. says
So glad you had a great race in my town! I was out there working Medical with Philly Fire/EMS. Everyone looked like they were having a great time!
Dori says
Congrats!!!! This probably gave you all the confidence you needed for NYCM. You are such a strong (and fast, whoa) runner and this was a great weekend to run!
Amanda @ Click. The Good News says
Rock on! What a fab time speedy gonzalez =) Love that last shot!
Anna says
Hahahaha! This was great! Thank you! ..for being real and thinking out loud. I can relate to a lot of things and know that I’m not completely crazy now.
Also, congratulations on the great race!
allie says
Awesome! Congrats on that speedy time. And I love the breakdown of your thoughts, funny and they ring true for me!
Carrie @ Fitness and Frozen Grapes says
Nice job, Jess! Thanks for sharing your running dialogue; glad to know we have similar thoughts while we run. 🙂
Christine @ Love, Life, Surf says
I think that this is the best race recap ever. Love the chatter in your brain which sounds very similar to what goes on in my brain when I run. And love the celebration picture. Congrats on a speedy run!
Glamamom says
Congrats Jess! Looks like so much fun and glad to see all the training is paying off!
Patty says
Way to go Jess! What an awesome post. Loved all the thoughts that go through your head. You look great and I’m so glad all your hard work is paying off. You’re going to rock November!
Jess says
Thank you, Patty!
TWINS RUN in our family says
Great race recap!
The slower 1/2 tweeted & ran…so she was thinking about not running into someone! 😉
Her race RT is in progress and will be posted soon!
Amber says
Wow, I have some catching up to do! I loved the play by play. And hot damn! You are going to rock this marathon for sure. Look at you GO!