The AIDS Walk/Run is absolutely one of my favorite races that I look forward to every year. It benefits ACR Health here in Syracuse, NY and all of the programs that they offer. Quick Note: ACR Health not only helps those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS, but they also provide support services to individuals with chronic diseases that include (just to name a few) diabetes, heart disease, obesity, asthma, substance use disorders, and serious mental issues along with creating and supporting The Q Center of Central New York that strives to provide a safe space for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth, their families, and their allies.
The last two years with this race I have finished second in my age group. The first year was an absolute SHOCK! Completely unexpected. Last year I really gunned for a top 3 finish, and after finishing 2 minutes faster (54:14) than 2016 (56:09) I finished second in my age group once again. Fast forward to this year, and I’d be lying if I didn’t admit to wanting that Top 3 finish once again. I knew what it would take after last year and *thought* that I was prepared for it this year, but hot damn I wasn’t. I knew that the course had inclines/hills on it. In fact when you turn out of the Park it’s a steady incline right from there. Okay no big deal, just keep putting one foot in front of the other. But the inclines just kept coming!! And with any incline, there is a decline – that whole what goes up must come down – so I usually want to try and make up for the struggle on the incline on the decline, but not completely lose control. The declines don’t match the inclines so you can’t really make up for it.
The warmer temps definitely assisted in my struggle bus attendance, but what was concerning me the most was that my heart rate kept surpassing maximum rate. (I’m 38 so that means max hr should be 182 – my hr was reaching 187/188)
Maybe the first mile was too much on me (8:03) pace, because each mile after that was over 9 minutes, and I even had a 10-minute mile in there at one point.
Looking back I slacked on my training after the Mountain Goat and I allowed some of that disappointment from the MG carry over into this race. I’ve got some (more) work to do in regards to strength, and want to add more hills into my training runs. There’s always next year of course, and at the end of the day I was a part of raising over $160,000 to benefit ACR Health. When you are a part of something bigger the smaller things such as your overall time just don’t matter.
Next event coming up is the Ride & Run for the Rescue where I will be participating in the 40-mile bike ride.
THANK YOU to everyone for your continued support. It is greatly appreciated…stay tuned for the next post!