Well, the price of the race was just 80kr so I applyed for the race. The idea I had was to have a lovely long run and to "feel" the race. I wanted to feel that racing heartbeat before the "real" race, before the 170km race the 15th april 2016. Just to taste another race.... nothing more....
But.....
As always in these occasions before the race my body begins to "fail". Everything was wrong. Early in the morning I felt bad, weak and slow. I went five times to the toilet... crazy! I managed to eat my breakfast and to get ready before my family woke up.
I decided not to take the car (good decision). but to use the public transport to the race (approx. 10km from home). I was there in approx. 40 minutes.
I met Jonas and soon after that Einar and Bobby. It was great to speak with these amazing guys! I managed to relax and chat a little bit about everything (running related issues of course!)...
In one occasion they started speaking about the pace strategy... and about the speed during the race.. bla bla bla.... I was like.... "I just want to enjoy this race, have fun and run in this lovely sunny day!".... And I said: "Well... I guess a 5:30-5:45 pace will do!". "I don't need no injury right now!"
That seemed like a good and quite understandable approach to everybody... still.... something was fighting inside me..... That race bastard inside me! :)
The race started and soon after the start me and Jonas found out that the pace was good for both him and me: 4:15!!! WHAT!!?? But I was fine..... "Strange....This is not me! Speedy!" I figured!.... but I decided to continue. I was a little bit curious to see what I can do... I wanted to check my form now!
After 10k we were still travelling @ 4:30 pace! I needed to slow down a little bit.... but Jonas was running nicely and I felt good with the pace..... "let's continue!" I decided...
After the 25th km I decided that I really needed to slow down a little bit. "I really don't wont any problems now!" I was thinking like: "I'm good! I feel good... I don't... but.. ". As I begun slowing a little bit, I noticed that Jonas followed the same.... Good! I really enjoyed racing together. I never met him before, but we "met" online through the Facebook running group "Lonesome Runners" of course! :)
The 28th km came quickly and I was thinking about maybe pushing those last 3km.... but something happened. A tiny pain in my left foot. Nothing really (I trained the day after and I'm good), still it seemed like a good idea to calm down... "Say bye bye to Jonas" (he finished the race like 50 mt before me) and just "roll the rest of the race"....
Well, this is what I did:
Distance: 32km
Elapsed Time: 2:37:55
Pace: 4:57/km
I'm really happy with the result. I guess that I could crush my old result during the Göteborgsvarvet half marathon this year! :)
Thanx for the support @ultraniclas, @sandahljens and @aideborn! Thanx for the great power @farbror_j, 32k of nice running together! Great weather and lovely Run!
By the way, the running surface is a hard packed gravel road... a speedy one! Not the best deal for me. Still I managed to enjoy the race and I was actually much faster that planned! Yeah!
Tomorrow is another day! Good night! :)
The race on Strava:
This is a short video clip from Sten Thunberg on YouTube. Enjoy!
MORE INFO: http://www.solvikingarna.se
