6.2 mi – My first 10k not including those associated with an Olympic distance triathlon. I arrived kinda too early, but helped with some of the setup duties, shirts and awards. I did a warmup short run with Erin to the “Shakepearian rest rooms” across the park. Then another 2 mile legs spin with Erica south on A1A and back. I thought of riding to the event from home, my legs feel good to run after some spinning of the pedals. I didn’t go that way, I just drove to Carlin Park.
I started in a mid pack group of people, wearing lulu shorts and top, a Tri Running Sports hat and my Garmin to flag me if my pace started to relax. I had to remember the 5k runners were starting here too, not to get amped up and go out too fats with them. Not a problem, the barely at 7 min mile pace up the driveway leading to A1A made sure I didn’t run too fast in mile #1. I only recognized Rick and Adrienne as we passed in front of Carlin Park – I wasn’t positive if they were 5 or 10k runners. Up the small rise of a hill and i saw mile 1 was 6:37 pace. Good. Now the road was spreading thin as runners chose a side and lined up on the inside of the road for water. I kept the Garmin at always below 6:40 and near 6:30 when I thought to look at it. Between miles 2 -3 I ran some right down the middle of the street with my eyes closed. I wanted to see what my pace would be if I was comfortable with no influence from checking the watch or seeing other people. At the 5k turnaround I didn’t have a single thought of wishing it was me – a good sign I was ready to go twice as far. I kept running the inside line on the mild bends in the road, concentrating on my breathing. I saw Linda and further up, Erica. I figured I was probably going their same pace. At the turnaround past the pier I knew each step was heading home, so start to give more. I ran next to Linda near the pier, then both of us ran with Erica. Linda asked why I was so serious, I wasn’t telling any jokes or being chatty. I quickly told her I was trying to do well in this run. Her turnover and ability to talk to both Erica and I showed she was comfortable at the 6:30 ish pace and could do this for awhile. I had slightly less than 3 miles to go at this pace, my lungs were filled with congestion, it was not an easy run for me. Legs felt good, no twinges or little sore spots on the back of my calves or quads. I wanted to push my pace quicker to catch a lone male runner ahead so I started to go faster at Marcinski Road. Once I got near him, I kinda felt I was out of my range pace wise, so I tucked in and paced off him for awhile. I ran next to him just before the 5 mile sign, he saw this and sped up to put a 50-75 yard gap between us. I made it to right where the lululemon girls had setup their cheer station, a perfect spot to wave, smile and get a boost of enthusiasm from them. Now with less than 1/2 mile to go, I figured I was good in my position. It was unlikely I’d pass the guy ahead of me nor was anyone near me to run by. I came into the parking lot, aided even if only mentally by the slope downhill. I saw Suzanne try to get her camera in place to take a picture, but she didn’t get it together in time. I crossed the finish in 40:52. Good running on a day I might have preferred running with no shirt on, it was breezy but the temps were 70s and it was humid. Erica, Adrienne and Julie Bishop all won their age groups for 10k. Lanae got squeezed at the end by April Flynn into a second place by 1/2 of a second.
Congestion and a warm day made for a race that kept me thinking the whole way. I was leery about going out too quick (didn’t happen) and about puckering way off pace once I got 4.5 miles behind me. (didn’t occur, either) The 10k is a rough distance, knowing you’d love to stay at 5k pace twice, but I am not prepared for that. I was optimistic regarding the next 5k I enter, I should be able to really go well if the distance is only half as far.
drun4fun 