10k Race Report

Yesterday I ran my first 10k that I actually trained for and ran it like a race. Really, it was the first time that I ever ran anything like a race.

On the way there I gave myself a pep talk, "You're problem is never running too hard. You are much more likely to hold back. So don't hold back today. You trained for this and you're ready to run your a$$ off!"

It took 1 1/2 hours to get there and the whole time I kept picturing myself flying down the course and getting butterflies in my stomach.

I've run this loop in Central Park a million times. That actually made me a little nervous because it's quite hilly and I'm so used to running it at a much slower pace. The fastest I've ever run it nonstop and timed it is a 10:49 pace.

We started with my favorite part of the course, I've described it as the paved road on he way to hell hill. By the end of the first mile I was already at the top of the worst hill. It sure was nice to have have that out of the way early.

I had no idea what time I was doing. All I knew was that a mile into the course I was still running in a huge pack of people. Usually by this time, it's really thinned out because most of the runners are ahead of me.

The first two miles I just kept thinking, I don't know if I can keep this up. But I kept telling myself, "You trained for this. You can do it."

It was freezing cold outside (well for me anyway). It was about 30 degrees and windy. I was breathing hard the whole way, I could hear it through the iPod. Sometimes my throat felt so tight I wasn't sure if I could keep breathing. I skipped the first 4 water stops. I figured it was only 6.2 miles, and I was afraid if I stopped I wouldn't make my goal.

I kept thinking that putting all this pressure on yourself to run faster is sure not as fun. "Maybe Boston isn't worth it," But then I would say, "No way you're slowing down! You better give this everything you've got or you're gona be so disappointed in yourself. You trained for this. And besides, you have to do this to give hope to all the other running moms who want to get faster."

Yeah I really give myself a lot of pep talks. Good thing I had the iPod or I really would have driven myself crazy.

By the last two miles, I started looking at the mile markers. The worst was behind me, I had already run all but one big hill. I was doing a 9-9:30 pace and I started thinking, "I'm really gona do this!" Then I just got this huge smile on my face and I just couldn't wipe it off. I ran the entire last two miles with this big silly grin on my face.

The last mile, I was really tired. I was finding hills in the Park that I had never noticed were there. But I kept telling myself, "Run like you haven't just ran 5 mile and you don't still have a mile to go." and "Just a few more minutes to the finish." Then that grin would come back and on I'd go. Those long progression runs sure paid off! I recommend those.

I was barely even able to pick up the speed for my usual Kenyan Dash to the finish line. I had run so fast, I barely had anything left.

For the rest of the day yesterday I kept thinking about whether it was worth it. My stomach was killing me all day, I was so tired, it seemed no amount of sleep or food could revive me and I had the worst headache. AND...there's always the fact that even though I kicked a$$ out there to the point of exhaustion, I still only finished in the 51st %.

BUT, if me, myself and I and all my past running selves were the only ones out there running, I was the winner by far.

Comments

[Carin]

Yay Anna! You totally rocked that race!

[Tracey]

Great Job Anna, I am so impressed and in awe of you speed. I know you and I were around the same level and you have totally surpassed that and kicked some major A$$. You Totally Rock!!!

[jill]

Kick a$$!!

And making it into the 51st % is HUGE!!! I can't believe how awesomely you did! You need to teach me all your speedwork tricks - I want to run a 10K in under an hour too!

[Julie]

You are my hero! Look at you go! So awesome! You know, I was exhausted after my 10k last week too...go figure. It knocked me out for 2 days, pretty much, though I didn't kick it quite like you ;-) Good job momma!