YMCA Turkey Trot 8K

EPIC DISASTER...

That's the only way to describe it. I was pumped up for this race. I feel as though I've made a ton of progress this year and thought I'd be able to tear through this one. Sadly, it wasn't to be.

What went wrong? I underestimated two things...

1) The crowd. With a record 12,000 people registered, I planned for a slow start. I tried to get to the front of the group, but still didn't cross the start line until almost 2 minutes after the gun. I didn't start my watch until I crossed the line, but it was still SLOW! Rather than taking this in stride, I got anxious and began to weave my way through the crowd. BIG MISTAKE! This takes up so much energy. Speed up, slow down, quick jerk to the right, jump over the curb, pretty much everything except keeping a straight line. This continued through the first 1.5 miles, until the crowd began to spread out.

2) The pesky little climb. The uphill on Delaware Ave, is much more deceiving than it looks. I've run this race twice before and have run a couple other races this year on this stretch of road and it still surprises me every time. Add this to the weaving, and I was done.

Another odd thing happened during this race. My heart rate went through the roof. I looked down to check it around the 2 mile mark, because it felt as though it was unusually high and to my horror it read 210!! I'm not sure if I was experiencing some technical issues with my gear or not, but I wouldn't be surprised if that was close, because it sure felt like it.

Anyways, again I've been humbled by a race and shown exactly how much further I need (and want) to progress in my quest for a fitter life.

Mileage: 5.01
Time/Pace: 45:23/9:03
Avg HR: 197 (questionable)

So, I guess for now I'll eat my words...and a juicy steak! (turkey is so last decade). Happy Thanksgiving.