As usual, I started the day in a foul mood. I got up, feeling a little lousy, sick to my stomach, and not eager to lay it all on the line. I don't generally experience much in the way of nerves these days for races 10K or shorter, but I was feeling very anxious this morning. I dealt with it by going through the motions - fix my hair, drink some water, put on my race shoes, take off my sweatpants, etc. Then, at about 7:25 or so, I headed off to start my warmup.ย
I noticed there was a 1:35 half marathon pacer, and I verified with her she'd be going 7:15, conveniently exactly the pace I was hoping to maintain for the 10K.ย Finally, a few minutes late, the gun went off, courtesy of Des Linden, and off we went. After the first half mile the pacer settled in, and it was super helpful following her for the first three miles. The first mile came more quickly than I expected - always a good sign. 7:06. I felt good that we'd banked a little time, but I tried not to think about keeping up that pace for five more miles. The second mile was slower in coming, but I was still feeling pretty good. 7:14. For the third mile, I tried to let go and just stay with the pacer. We came to the turnaround a bit before 3 miles, and I felt this surge of energy knowing I was on-pace for sub-45 and still feeling decent. 7:09. After the turnaround, I passed almost the entire women's field, about 1000 runners, on the way back. At this point, I was in about 5th in the 10K. (The 10K and half marathon started together.) So many people cheered for me. All that cheering made me feel great and really pulled me through the fourth mile, which was predictably rough. I have never experienced cheering like that except in an out-and-back women's race. Do a women's race like that and experience it for yourself! Anyway, the fourth mile was awesome and terrible. 7:11 courtesy of all those cheers. (continued in comments)
5 years agorunningwild.wa
I love that race and was sad to miss it this year. You are totally right about the chatting lcheering
5 years agoundergraysky
#racerecap #racereport #10krace #womensrunning #snohomishwomensrun #womensrunningcommunity #motherrunner #mastersrunning #mastersracing #inspiration #runspiration #hardworkpaysoffs #raceday #runmore
5 years agoundergraysky
(Continued) I always tell myself that Miles 4 and 5 are the tough miles, the ones where mental strength comes into play. Mile 6 will take care of itself, since the race is almost done. You're fresh for the first three. But miles 4 and 5? Those are the ones in which PRs are lost. This is what I told myself through the fifth mile - that mile five was the mile that would determine if I met my goal or not. It was tough. I was all alone on the road, except for getting passed by one other runner. The next runner was a minute in front of me, and the runner behind was a minute back. Just complete solitude. But, it was only seven minutes and I hung on. 7:15. Mile six hurt, obviously. I don't really remember it well, just finally turning into the park and booking it towards the finish, checking my watch every couple tenths of a mile to see if it was over yet. 7:13. Then, the last two torturous tenths at 6:57 pace, and joy when I checked my watch and saw 44:XX. I hung out for an hour afterwards cheering for other runners and trying to pay back the awesome support I got on the course.ย For being second in my age group, I won a bag of Des Linden coffee.ย Hurray!ย All in all, a great day and a great race.
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