The route
My usual C4 to C3 route will not suffice for
the distance (I get bored if I go around that 4km block twice) so I had to
extend it further to a more unfriendly route (dogs in packs roaming around,
plus rocky pavement that will shoot rocks if cars’ wheels roll on it). In passing these treacherous grounds I stay
alert and always try to find a way to higher grounds should the dogs find my
legs yummy, haha!
The gear
I was wearing my
usual race attire – shorts, NB shoes, socks, singlet 500mL water, GU and all. What bothered me is the chafing that I felt sometime
around km9. Usually I just feel it in my
armpits, but now its even in my nips. I
can still feel it even this morning’s shower!
I just ordered Bodyglide at Toby’s online, hopefully they’ll do a good
job and be able to send it.
The mindset
I said it in a
previous post that I’ll be targeting 12k this weekend. So that was the goal. I didn’t put any thoughts on how long I’ll
run it. It really was just a long run as
part of my training.
The afterthoughts
1. I didn’t know if I can make it
to 12k so I had to control my first few kms.
2. The new route after the 5k makes
me slower than the usual, and I have to be conscious on my pace so I can keep
up. On an actual race, this will not be
a factor as the route is controlled; so I can concentrate on running.
3. By km8, the idea of doubling it to run a
16k made me tired; even if I ate GU at this point
4. Was tempted to stop and call it a day as I
passed by my start/end line at km 10.xx
5. Was extremely happy when I finished 12k but
a little unhappy because of the pains from chafing!
I think what was
tough was the point where my mind was gearing toward not being able to go
farther than my usual distance. Two
things probably; (1) after running for a year, I have been limited to running
5ks and 10ks so that’s my most comfortable distance. And (2) is that there’s nothing much to see in
the road. Running in a race makes
running an enjoyable activity. Perhaps that will help should I decide to race
in a longer distance.
I signed up the form
for the Yakult 10-miler this Sunday. Hopefully
if there’s still a slot, I think coming from an 8-mile run this weekend I can
manage to do the remaining 2 at still my own pace. After all, I managed to hit 6:08/km pace in my
practice run. I’m sure adrenalin and
will power will contribute on actual race day- Hopefully. J
