View Workout (Anthony Belber)

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Racing and Coaching 3rd Battle

October 19, 2019 (Morning)

Exercise Type: Run

Weather: 40s and sun, beautiful conditions! Got warmer throughout the day to 60s

Comments:
Wasn't feeling particularly motivated to race, but I figured I ought to jump into one of these open cc races as most people on the team haven't seen me race and the other coaches had inspired me just as much as our student athletes when they raced Glory Days last weekend. Other than some anxiety about not leaving myself enough time to get to the line in time, I really wasn't feeling the usual butterflies, even as I screwed spikes into my "new" spikes (I'd bought them a few years back, but never used them until now.)

Gun went off (No cannon for the open race) and I admit it was pretty exhilarating to be hurtling across the rutted ground into the blinding sunrise in a herd of over 200 runners of all ages, as a wall of spectators cheered us on. Was pretty hard to distinguish any faces and I was focused on footing and not crashing into people for the first half of the race, so other than 2-3 glimpses, I never figured out which voice went with which hopper, but more than not, the voices I heard throughout my race were of people who love this team and wanted to see me run good. It sure does help lift the spirits.

By the time we reached the woods, the sprint was fading for most and I kept mostly to the grass at the edge of the trail, often following the ragged-gray-haired Ray Pugsly (I realized later). The sun was directly in our eyes and despite the trees, I really couldn't take the time to look up more than once or twice. I did spot Myles 30 meters ahead and Matt and Ethan further ahead of him. Only glimpsed Zeke and Mark at the hairpin turn approaching mile 2. It was a relief to turn left towards the mile and have the sun at my back, but that glorious effect of running on a narrow trail through trees kept me feeling fast and disoriented. I was passing people throughout the woods, and probably moved up from about 20 spots before the 2.5km mark. Might have passed another 3-8 after that, but can't really recall. Never saw a mile marker and just glanced at my watch when we passed the unmarked, but presumptive 2 mile mark and was delighted to see 11:45. I was moving aggressively throughout and seemed confident that I could keep up the pace, which it appears I did. I was pleased with how quickly I moved through the lower "wasteland" and with about 1km to go someone came up on my shoulder. That prompted me to surge a bit which worked and got me moving with purpose for the final 800. I felt like I worked the little rise out of the wasteland and was going hard the rest of the race. Got up onto the toes in the final 200 and found one two more gears in the last 100 and then 50, can't recall with certainty, but might have passed someone in that final 400.

It really felt like a near-perfect race. The Perfect part is that I was engaged, alert, and pressing at every point. I never truly doubted myself or let up on the gas and the whole thing passed so quickly the way good races do. the reasons it was just "near perfect" are really more macro issues about not being as fit as I'm capable of being and not investing very much mental energy into the race. But honestly, I'm thrilled. Final time was 18:21 which I don't think I've run in a few years. I felt good. It was a blast to wear spikes and race on grass and gravel and with fellow coaches/former team members and to have our team and my daughter out there appreciating what we were doing. Truly one of my most enjoyable racing experiences post college.

Rest of day was equally satisfying. So many PRs and Season Bests! So much confident and aggressive racing. Positive energy produces positive results and this team is swimming in it at the moment. We had runners in all 6 races and while this is a hard course to get multiple viewings, I did probably run 2/3 of a mile per race.

Good pie.