Monday, October 22, 2012

Moab Race Pacing & Rocky....

First things first


Let me introduce…

ROCKY

 :) More to come on him



I had my first experience being a pacer this weekend at the
 Moab Other Half Marathon.


First let me say…
I am very introverted
Very shy
A little awkward around others

SO that being said…. Not only was I nervous to pace the correct time at this race; but, I had to step out of my comfort zone and interact with people I didn’t know (Tragic :D)


I learned pacing is hard, no matter what the pace.  I was running the 1:50 group, an ‘easy’ pace for me, and still found it difficult.  When you are lining up for the race, people come up to you and share their pre-race nerves and PR goals; seeming to pass some of that goal responsibility off to you. LOVED this. Loved being able to encourage them and share in that excitement.   

From the start until about mile 5, I had a large group with me.  I probably checked my Garmin 587.893 million times to make sure I wasn’t running too fast or too slow.  We were given pace bands that took into account all the hills, which was super helpful.  The first half of the race is rolling/down hill and spirits were high.  Then everyone seemed to disappear, except for 5 people - 4 who made it with me from start to finish, and 1 we picked up along the way.  This is where the awesome headwinds and fun hills showed up. 

Every time we would approach a hill I would tell them we are going to OWN this hill and up we went. It made me nervous to hearing their breath start to get heavier and heavier. I would say each of their names and tell them how strong and awesome they looked. Towards the end I would run ahead when I saw an aid station and grab water’s and get the GU’s I had stored in my shirt!  I had never run this course before, and they kept asking is this the last hill…. Um YES (last hill for now anyways ;)) POWER UP it. One guy started complaining about the head wind – CHARGE THROUGH IT MAN, you so got this.  



The top of last hill is at mile 11 and you can see all the way down to the finishing area. So funny how the attitudes changed - no more complaining about hills or wind! The last mile I told them to go ahead of me and kill it. I literally screamed at them to push it until they couldn’t hear me anymore. 
1:49:46, 14sec. too fast.
 ----------
That feeling from a PR is hard to surpass. It was amazing to be able to share this feeling with these finishers. After the race I loved getting hugs from them and sharing in the excitement of exceeding their original 1:50 goal.  ALL 5 of them came in ahead of time.



Sitting in the finishing area, waiting for the other pacers I realized I really needed this race…

***Sometimes I need to force myself out of my comfort zone to experience times like these.  Most people don’t ‘get’ it, but it is HARD for an introverted person to engage in social settings.  Solitude is what feels ‘right.’  Forcing myself to step away from that, I met some awesome new friends and glad to have done so.
   
***Race settings always remind me why I decided to change my life around and STAY healthy.  After the past couple of weeks, this was defiantly a needed reminder to freaking –  
STAY ON TRACK.



If you ever get a chance to pace a race I highly suggest you do so. 
Incredible experience.   
I hope to continue. 


9 comments:

  1. oh how awesome are you?????
    and as a shy introvert by nature,i can totally relate and understand!!
    way to break out of that social comfort zone and that is so amazing that all 5 PR'd because of YOUR help!!!
    the race sounded like so much---so what big race do you have planned next?

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  2. How fun! I was there! The hills and wind were a KILLER!! I should run with a pacer, it sound like fun. Of course, my PR is 1:59, so running at 1:50 would be a challenge!

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  3. It must feel so amazing to know that you helped five people get a new PR! I am introverted too and also would have found it a challenge, but I'm glad you were able to step outside your comfort zone and really have a great time. :)

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  4. I would have checked my garmin more! LOL.
    You did an OUTSTANDING job pacing - within 14 seconds?! I can so feel the energy from this post. GOOD in so many ways.
    I have never paced- or been asked to, but i would LOVE to have the chance to do that.
    You made everyone's day! :)

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  5. Cool bike. Somehow I like the classic lines of the Italian racer the best though. Timeless beauty. So you are shy? I'm pretty talkative most of the time.

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  6. Congrats on the new bike! He's beautiful. I'm guessing women's bikes are men's names and men's bikes are ??? I have trouble coming up with names for anything but pets :-).

    Sounds like you were an awesome pacer. I'm an introvert too and totally get what you were feeling. You came in right on time and had people hug you afterward so I would say you rocked it!

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  7. I always called my bike "my two-wheeled slut", because I loved to ride her forever in a hard rhythmic cadence. I'd like to get you into health & healing with the passion and drive you do other things. Health & healing is everything when you think about it. "Health & Healing" are number ONE.

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  8. wow Christie you are awesome!!
    I would LOVE to be a pacer one day!
    I'm actually considering being a pacer for the CIM next year (if Boston goes well!)
    and your bike is BEAUTIFUL!!! I had a Specialized TT...didnt love it. But I LOVE my Specialized Ruby!
    I hope you're having a great weekend!
    xoxo!

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  9. Gary Johnson didn't win! What are we going to Christie? Health & Healing through nature, exercise & micro-electricity. No Obamacare. Ride forever and stay natural.

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