Old Pros 10K July 4, 2009

Wed - MJ Tribute Spin Class with Nat and V.
Thurs - 5 mi
Fri - 5 mi
Sat - 10mi (10K Race)
Sun - 7 mi + gym + 1 mile jog home
Mon - 7 mi
Tues - 4.5 (Achilles pain) + PT

Mileage June 19 - July 5 = 42mi (6 days of running)

Old Pros 10K

Time: 38:30
Pace: 6:13
Place: Overall - 6th. Age Divison - 2nd
Splits: 6:09, 6:22, 6:12, 6:13, 6:20, 5:57, ??

The experience of running has changed dramatically for me since college. First of all, I've had to fight to be able to run for over two years now. That's given me a new appreciation for how much it means to me, and a stronger drive to take advantage of my abilities in running. I also have more control over how much I run, how fast I go, and what races I do.

But I think one of the most exciting things for me is I feel like i've finally gotten rid of the demons which have haunted me since High School. My confidence was shaken and I don't think I ever really recovered. But for the first time in forever I don't have this feeling of impending failure when i step up to the line. This past race I had a goal of running a specific time for the 10K, and I KNEW I could do it, despite not being all the way in shape. It was teh strange confidence in my abilities that I never fully embraced. Part of it is being in a new environment. It's not HS or collegiate racing anymore. Another part is that I am tackling distances which I have never raced before. I'm starting fresh with no PRs and no expectations. And also I've had a significant break from competitive running. This fall will mark the first time I am running a season in shape in over four years.

In other running related news, I've been given the privilege of joining our local adidas-movin' shoes team. I am super excited about this because I really do enjoy being on a team and I'm already friends with a good portion of the guys on the team. I've been getting to know the women on the team as well and am excited to get to know them more and race with them this fall.

Ok, that's long enough.

Iron Girl 10K

10K RACE - AM
Distance: 6.2 mi
Course: Streets of Del Mar + Del Mar Race Track
Time: 40:18
Avg. Pace: 6:30
Place: 10th overall (fifth man in but due to chip time was bumped back. So strange to be beaten by someone who finished behind me!) 4th in age division.
warm up: 2 mi at 7:40
cool down: Banana nut muffin (what? that's not a good cool down?)
Total miles: 8.2

Race Summary

Really pleased with how this race went. First of all, felt exhausted the week before pretty much 24/7 and after my failed attempt at a tempo just wasn't sure if the legs were going to respond to a race. But my plan was to take it out easy for the first two miles to avoid blowing up after three and hobbling in to the finish.

My Goal was 6:30-6:45 pace, so I was really happy to have finished on the low end of my goal. I took it out in high 6:30's and just felt GOOD. I've never truly raced a 10K before except once in College over the summer and it was actually like an 11K+ or something like that (Falmouth road race). I really like the longer distance. The first couple of miles are relaxed and it wasn't until I'd gone through mile 5 that I began to really have that feeling of oh-dear-god-I'm-racing-don't-die-don't-die. Overall, my times were pretty much faster each mile with the exception of mile 5 which was a clusterfuck to say the least. I'm going to gripe for just a moment. The 5K started 5 mins after the 10K which wouldn't be bad i the 10K didn't do the 5K loop twice. Thus I spent the entire 5th mile weaving in and out of kids, old people, joggers, walkers, and just all kinds of people in my WAY. I was in fifth place so should have had the entire road to myself but instead I wasted energy weaving and getting cut off. I estimate the entire endeavour cost me about 13-15 seconds. Poorly planned on the part of the race directors, in my opinion.

But, back to being positive. It was great to have the support of my friends that were at the race. It meant a lot to have some people cheering for me in my return to the world of racing. My mom also was there and she did the 5K and ran the whole first mile without stopping! I'm so proud of her for doing her first 5K in quite a long time and actually running! I think she's going to be able to run a whole 5K soon which is pretty exciting!

So I'm excited to be back in the world of racing. July 4th 10K should be the next jaunt unless something else comes up before then. Should be able to run a much faster time there because it's flat, I'll be in better shape, no race track sand to trudge through, and thank god i will not have to weave through an entire 5K race. Lookin' to go sub-39. Bring it.