1:24:4778th overall out of 917
Pace/Mile: 11:10
Age Grade: NA
Age Group Place: 9th of 93
Date: 6/20/2009
Location: Pinkham Notch, NH
Comments: Because of the nature of this race I knew it was going to be tough, however, it was even tougher than I anticipated. The start is actually downhill and flat until 0.3 miles then once the road turns uphill the next 7.3 miles are all uphill. I had two goals going into this race, to break 1:20 and not to walk. I missed on both accounts.
Start to 1 mile (actual 0.9 since the mile markers are from the start of the road and not the actual start)Went out too fast and was right behind the women's leader when we hit the hill. This is by far the easiest mile because you are fresh, it has 0.3 downhill/flat, and it is 0.1 mile short. Hit the mile marker in 7:09 (goal based on split predictor for 1:20 would be 8:00)
1 to Mile 2 (1.9) Time 16:58 (goal 17:55) This was a hard mile, was breathing like a freight train, was totally red lining it and it was only the second mile.
2 to Mile 3 (2.9) Time 27:02 (goal 28:18) Started to settle into the pace and was more optimistic that I would be able to maintain my pace.
Halfway (3.8) 37:15 (goal 37:52) Lost sometime, however I was glad that I was halfway through and was still optimistic about my time.
3 to Mile 4 (3.9) 38:18 (goal 38:52)
4 to Mile 5 (4.9) 50:02 (goal 50:16) Lost more time, really struggling at this point, just trying to convince myself not to walk.
5 to Mile 6 (5.9) 1:02:02 (goal 1:01:30) Over goal time at this point, however too tired to care or even realize, just trying to keep running.
6 to Mile 7 (6.9) No split (goal 1:12:47) Not sure of the exact point however somewhere slightly after 6 miles I turn a corner and am confronted with another ridiculously steep section and I start walking. From this point on I walk the steep sections and run (if you can call it that) the rest. Even though I was redlining it most of the way ultimately it was my legs (and willpower) that did me in. The inside of my left knee joint (this has never bothered me before) and my hip flexors hurt so much that I thought my legs would "lockup" and stop functioning.
7 to Finish (7.6) Was very confused by this point whether I had 0.6 or 0.7 miles to go (it was 0.7), continue with my walk/run, walk the 22% "wall" and then see the clock and realize that I still has a shot of at least breaking 1:25 and run to the finish.
Things that I would do differently:
1) Run the first mile slower, try to stay as close as possible to goal pace.
2) Wear lighter shoes with good traction. I wore my Brooks Burn, which are about 10 oz. They are great shoes, however, since you are going uphill every ounce counts. Plus I think you could get away with light racing flats since you are not pounding your legs. Maybe something like the Nike Air Zoom Streak XC.
3) Do more specific training for the race. Yes I did the hilly runs and the hill repeats. However, I should have done the treadmill runs at 11.5% incline.
Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUR2qS4FgqI
I can be seen at 27-28 seconds in (green singlet), several places behind the women's leader Brandy Erholtz. I was in about 30th place at this point, like I said I went too fast.
The Course:
From http://www.mountwashingtonroadrace.com/
The Mt. Washington Auto Road is 7.6 miles in length, has an average grade of 11.5% with extended sections of 18%, and the last 50 yards is a 22% "wall" to the finish. There are mile posts along the course, but these posts represent mileage from the Auto Road office across Route 16. Mile one is thus actually 0.9 mi. from the start. And mile posts 2 - 7 are thus 1.9 - 6.9 miles. From milepost 7 to the finish is 0.7 mi. There will be a digital clock at the exact halfway point of the race (3.8 mi.). The course rises 4650 vertical feet from start to finish. Relax, there's Only One Hill!
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