Race Day! Got 2nd place in foreigners’ category. And today was supposed to be a training day! Says much about the depth of the foreigner field.
Kept to coach’s instructions as much as I can in the race. First 5k I “tried” to stay below MAF, but my HR was already at MAF despite running easy. I could go lower, but this is a race, right? Stayed at MAF for about 5k, then allowed my HR to creep upwards just a tiny bit from 140 to 145bpm for the next 7k.
The pace was really really comfortable. I enjoyed the cool air, the scenery of Mandalay, the people that have gather at the roadside to spectate. Slowly and sure, even at my slow MAF pace, I passed more and more racers that decided to jump off the start line dashing. It was fun watching them falter as my steady pace kept me going like a diesel truck, passing more and more with every minute.
Just as planned and instructed by coach, as I turned the southeast corner, I ignored my HR and began running at tempo. The speed was easy to keep, and I was surprised to find that I had energy to run at tempo just as if from the start line. The feeling of abundant energy more than halfway through the race is exhilarating, and I enjoyed the race even more. Kept my gait at Pose method and found the feet turnover quick with a good knee drive. No intentional back push of the rear leg, too. The feeling of speed was incredible!
Turned at the southwest corner and I could feel the finish line as I knew the terrain from last night’s scouting drive. So I increased the pace a bit more as I tagged each racer I saw in front of me for demolition. The increased pace was incredibly fun, and I was truly amazed that I could run at speed and not feel tired this late into the race. More and more racers I passed until I discovered fellow foreigners up front, obviously fatigued and slogging along. I passed them with glee and proceeded to turn the final corner for the final mile push to the finish line.
The last straightaway I picked up the pace even more, running what I felt were like strides. I kept focus with the Pose method, surrendering to the speed, the exhilaration, and the racing atmosphere as I picked off more and more racers in front of me. More and more spectators were lining the street now, cheering us along and guiding me into the stadium where I entered into cheers from spectators in the stadium seats echoing off the seats.
As I approached the finish line, a bunch of race directors guided me through the foreigners’ corral where I discovered I placed second. First. Podium. Ever! And this is supposed to be a training run!
Looking back now, I wonder if I could have ran as well as I did if I started the race faster than MAF. I was able to really power through the last 7-8k because I did MAF in the first 12k. Is this the power of MAF?
theRUNS.net 