Monday, November 10, 2014

10k On A Whim

Me, Chris and Beth
Saturday, I woke up and decided to run a 10k (after telling myself all week that I would not).  On my training plan was 5 miles at half marathon pace, so I thought...oh heck, I might as well.  I'd get to hang out with my running buddies which is always the best part anyway!  I had run a 10k the previous weekend which had left me feeling deflated. I was tired and sluggish during that race.  I just wanted to run this one strong, not truly race it, and feel good throughout.

This was a wacky sock themed race for a local school's baseball team.  I managed to locate what I thought were wacky socks.  But, my tie-dyed socks ended up being ultra conservative.  I've never seen so many wild and crazy socks!  My goal was to rehearse my half marathon pacing, making sure to go out slowly for the first few miles.  The course had a substantial hill that I would have to properly navigate twice, as the 10k was a double loop of the 5k.  I wanted to practice my strategy for that as well.

My first mile was SLOW because I used it as my warm up mile.  I did not warm up beforehand as I should have, after running out of time in the potty line!  The 2nd through 5th miles were progressively faster but I did not average them, as a whole, any faster than my half marathon pace.  I never truly "raced" until mile 6, where I kicked in at my normal 5k pace.  I felt great the entire run.  NO, it was definitely not my fastest 10k and therefore I didn't feel as if I was dying the whole time.  I did what I set out to do.  Mission Accomplished.

Guess what?  As an ADDED BONUS I won first place in my age group.  Yeah, admittedly, there were only three of us (ha ha!) as the overwhelming majority of participants ran the 5k.  But, you know...the first rule of placing is to just show up.  Sunday, I did a slow 12 miler and felt good during that as well. 

I now feel somewhat better about my upcoming half marathon (less than 2 weeks away).  IF I can stay healthy, IF I can pace correctly, IF the weather is not brutal, IF I am well rested, IF I am well hydrated, IF I can fuel properly, IF I can keep the cramps at bay, IF-IF-IF...maybe just maybe... we'll see.

Does anyone else practice strategies at races and not really race them?  I'd love to hear from you!


Also, don't forget the GIVEAWAY HOP.  There is still time to enter and WIN!






19 comments:

  1. I've tried to use races as training runs and it just doesn't work for me. I like to race them, I guess! Good job on the AG win! A win is a win in my book!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That part (not racing) was very difficult at the beginning...but I was determined.

      Delete
  2. Congrats on winning first place in your age group. A great training run for the bigger race to come in the future. -L

    ReplyDelete
  3. Same here bi always win up racing them. Congrats on your win.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks. Hope your half training is going well.

      Delete
  4. That sounds like a fun way to train for your upcoming half! Congrats in winning 1st place!

    ReplyDelete
  5. That's awesome! And a great confidence builder. I never know how I am going to feel until I start. It's always good to practice strategies
    Confessions of A Mother Runner

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It did help as I had not been feeling too great about my runs lately.

      Delete
  6. Congrats on your AG win! A win is a win, no matter how many are in your age group.

    At races, I'm usually racing hard or just running for fun, and gabbing with friends the whole way.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks. I needed to just enjoy it. The AG win was unexpected icing on the cake.

      Delete
  7. Nice job winning your age group! Sometimes you just don't know how you will do unless you try!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Very true. It's nice to get the racing part out of your head sometimes and just run for fun!

      Delete
  8. Big congrats on the first place win in your age group!!!! Sounds like you had a fun time too, which makes it a double win win!
    You'll do great in your upcoming half in a few weeks!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! I hope so. I need to work on my mental preparation.

      Delete
  9. It's cold here too. I always obsess over what to wear. But then on race day, I don't care any more. LOL. I always try to be conservative in the beginning. I feel there is plenty of time to pick it up later. GOOD LUCK. I can't wait to read about it!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Sounds like you are more than ready for your half given the way you paced your 10k. Nice and strong! Congrats on the AG win!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope so. If not, there will be another...and another... Thanks for stopping by.

      Delete

I enjoy reading your comments. Thanks for taking the time to leave one!