What is a runner with a slacker mentality who has a long run on a cold day but likes to be lazy? She signs up for a local race of course.
Castle to Coast is a super chill, laid back 8 miles along the coast. No bibs, no medals, just running. Actually I was surprised with the timing chips this year. Those could have been around last year too but I DNS’ed. Oops.
The morning dawned early and cold as I made my way over to the coast. Things started a little rocky as the park rangers hadn’t gotten the memo and the gates to the park were locked. In an odd way I feel it made check in go faster. Eventually the gates were unlocked and we were all able to get parked and hop in the portapotty lines. We started a few minutes late due to gate snafu but like I said it’s all chill.
We lined up and we were off. Now here’s the maybe not chill part- the roads aren’t closed and we run along the highway. Highway 1 to be exact- from Hearst State Beach to Cambria. Hearst as in Hearst Castle.
I planned to take it easy and was aiming for my current long run pace around 12:00. Or my all around pace right now, like I’ve said, I’m out of shape.
Miles 1-4 10:57, 12:18, 12:30, 12:28
Started a little too fast but nothing crazy and I felt like I settled into a nice, easy maintainable pace. Due to the running along the highway portion, the race is limited to 300 people and usually sells out. We started out in a big pack, sort of, all in the bike lane. With no room to pass, it takes a few miles to thin out even with so few people. That said I was still feeling pretty ok.
Mile 5- 13:23
I have no idea what happened. I hit the only water stop around 4 and it was like my body quit. I went from feeling fine to being done. And I mean done.
Miles 6-8 12:55, 12:48, 13:18
Yep still done. I turned on my headphones – didn’t help. Had a gel- didn’t help. I was basically walking and sprinkling in running. People were passing me right and left. What the hell? The previous week’s long run had gone so much better. If this had been a regular run I would have quit but my ride was at the finish line. Apparently I wasn’t the only one having a bad day, I was passing people who had previously passed me. One runner told me I walked fast.
Finish 8.2 miles- 1:43:51
Only 20 minutes slower than the last time I ran this race. And I thought I was out of shape then, ha! Even days later I am trying to figure out why I ran out of steam. The humidity was high but my asthma was manageable. Or I thought so. My stomach did flare that afternoon and it lasted about 3-4 days but I don’t think pre-tired is a thing. Is it a thing?? Ha!
It was slow but I showed up.
Slacker Runner 