2007 opened with a full plate. I signed up for the Earlybird triathlon not realizing that it was the day after the Crazylegs Classic. Crazylegs is one of those local races that you have to do, because there are 9,000 others that do it with you. How do you say no to 9,000 people?
I ran to the start to warm up. On my way, a runner with an obviously orange warm up jacket merged to the path just in front of me. I ran closer and noticed it was from 2007. Referencing the Nor'easter that hit Boston over Patriot's day, I asked if he'd dried out from the race. He had. We continued chatting and I learned that he'd been in town for the week on business. His recovery from the marathon was progressing nicely, so he extended his stay an extra day for the race. He, too, couldn't say no to 9,000 people.
I started in wave D, just fourth from the front. My plan was to run a 7-minute first mile and hold it steady from there for a sub-36 finish. The first mile came and went, 6:42. Darn. Too fast. This is going to hurt. About that time, I noticed that same girl was near me. Dressed all in blue, she was darting between people to find open space. I latched on to keep her same pace and hope she'd pull me to the finish. In my head, she was "my girl blue." Blue slowed the next couple of miles and I stayed with her. She bobbed to open spaces and I kept my eye on her. Soon after the third mile I was straining to see Blue in the through the open spots. I blinked and then she was gone. Ugh. Not having Blue to latch on to allowed thoughts of rest for the next day's triathlon creep into my mind. And for the few minutes my I fought them, I knew my sub-36 was gone.
This season is as much about running as it is about mind games. I can visualize finishes, but I have trouble visualizing the fight that it takes to through the pain to get the finish I desire. I really could've learn something about myself, but the triathlon the next day kept me from pushing miles 3 & 4. I kicked in a bit for mile 5, and was surprised to see that I finished in a personal best 36:10. Being so close to 36 minutes was bitter sweet. On one hand, I got a personal best, but I missed my goal by the (lack of) hair on my head. I finished 662nd overall and 85th in my age group.
I too started with the D wave and had a "girl blue". She wasn't in sight for too long though as I finished in 37:37. Perhaps they were one and the same? The motivation provided was certainly the same;)