Wharf to Wharf 6m (40:43)

I all the time wished to do the Wharf to Wharf race in Santa Cruz. I’ve heard it’s lots of enjoyable, and Santa Cruz is a good looking space. It’s not likely an space I’ve explored an excessive amount of. The Wharf to Wharf race sells out, so it’s necessary to register early. It’s about 5.5 hours north of my home. This 12 months appeared like an excellent 12 months to run. Plus, I didn’t understand that I wanted a trip out of the desert and Los Angeles space. It undoubtedly made me miss dwelling in northern California although.

Earlier than the Wharf to Wharf:

We left Edwards on Friday night time and stopped about 3 hours north in Paso Robles for the night time. When unsure, make it a weekend journey. I slept in that morning, and we went for a good looking however way-too-hilly run the day earlier than. Do I believe that hilly run affected my race? Sure, however it’s what it’s. It was stunning, and I don’t remorse it.

We arrived in Santa Cruz round 2:30 pm. My husband went for a mountain bike journey, after which we ate dinner at a Mediterranean restaurant. I used to be fairly exhausted and ended up getting 11 hours of sleep the night time earlier than. The Wharf to Wharf race begins at 8:30 am, and I didn’t get away from bed till 6 am (uncommon for me; I’m sometimes conscious at 5). However hey I’m by no means going to complain about extra sleep, I’ve been exhausted the previous few weeks.

I did a 3-mile warm-up and headed to the Santa Cruz Wharf for the race begin. The Wharf to Wharf is a 6-mile race that runs from the Santa Cruz Wharf to the Capitola Wharf. It offers a pleasant pullover to the highest 100 girls and prime 100 males (by gun time). I seemed up earlier outcomes and noticed that normally, the one centesimal lady was round a 6:50 tempo, which was proper the place I felt I used to be on an excellent day. I knew it was going to be shut for me to be within the prime 100, particularly contemplating I ran a 6:41 tempo 5k the week earlier than. (boy did I really feel tough that day although).

On the Wharf to Wharf race begin, I noticed so many professional and elite runners; it was intimidating. I used to be like, do I actually belong on this corral? I headed to the again, which was seemingly my mistake. I did belong there, even when I didn’t consider it myself. Not believing in myself was in the end my mistake as a result of I ought to have began additional up and if I did, I my gun time could have been a couple of spots decrease.

Wharf to Wharf Race:

The race went off, and so did we. I’ve by no means been to such a crowded begin. It was jam-packed, and it was laborious to run for 1 / 4 of a mile or so. I imply it is sensible contemplating the highest 100 girls have been underneath 7 minute tempo. From there, I felt like I used to be within the gap and wanted to make up time as a result of I used to be on the bubble of the highest 100 girls. My first mile was 6:39, and actually, I puzzled if I had taken it out method too quick. My 5k the week earlier than at Venice Seaside averaged a 6:41 tempo. However I trusted that was only a tough day.

The following few miles of the Wharf to Wharf race are rolling hills. I knew it wasn’t flat, nevertheless it by no means felt tremendous hilly to me. In the end the race has about 200 toes of elevation achieve. I used to be working my very own race and actually feeling fairly good. I didn’t really feel like I used to be working tremendous laborious and ran 6:47, 6:50, and 6:50. There are lots of quick hills and turns on the Wharf to Wharf, so it’s necessary to run the tangents nicely. I’m proud to say, I “solely” ran 6.03.

Round mile 5, I began feeling a bit drained. A few girls handed me, and I desperately tried to remain engaged. There’s one largish hill simply earlier than mile 5 that felt prefer it beat me up. I simply saved pushing, telling myself, “1 mile to go. You are able to do it.” I knew some a part of the ultimate stretch was downhill, however I didn’t understand how a lot. I had flashbacks of the La Jolla Half the place it’s a downhill end after you run up about 200 toes. I saved pondering perhaps it will be there. However it wasn’t, and there isn’t something too steep. Lastly, round 5.6, we reached the steep downhill, and I simply pushed it. My final quarter of a mile was a 5:32 tempo, and I handed a couple of girls. I crossed the Wharf to Wharf end in 40:43 and because the 104th lady by gun time. Simply missed it!

Wharf to Wharf Ideas:

Whereas I’m disenchanted to not be within the prime 100, I can’t actually complain both. Simply final 12 months, I used to be barely breaking 7 minutes for 5-6 mile races. I’ve made progress since then. All summer time I’ve requested myself after every good race, “Was this a fluke?” However then I preserve working instances I didn’t assume I might ever once more. So I’m proud of this progress. I do assume with an excellent taper, I might be able to run underneath 90 minutes for a half once more. I’ll undoubtedly be again as a result of it was a lot enjoyable!