7:30: Woke up and ate a bowl of overnight oats (made with 1/2 c. of oats, 1T PB, 1/2 c. almond milk, 1/2 banana, splash of maple syrup and cinnamon) plus one cup of coffee.
9:15: Headed out the door for a three mile jog before the race.
9:40: Got in line for the port-a-potty. Mistake #1
9:49: Got out of line for the port-a-potty while there were still 10 people in front of me.
9:50: Squeezed into the yellow corral just as it was being closed. The corrals close 10 minutes before the start of all regular NYRR races. If you miss the cut off you’re sent to the very back of the pack.
9:52: Herded into my corral like a herd of sheep. It was freaking packed in there. There was only room at the back. Mistake #2
9:59: Doubts started to cloud my thoughts. It was way too crowded and I was way too far back to PR. Mistake #3
10:00: The gun goes off.
10:05: I stop at the first port-a-john I see. Right decision #1
Stopping for the bathroom break meant having to navigate through even more runners. I was torn between using up energy to get past them and just settling in at their pace. I settled for a little of both. My mind was still playing games with me about how hard to run.
I never really felt like I feel into a pace. I also didn’t commit to running hard from the beginning. I did however talk myself into running hard as the race progressed.
The middle miles of any race are always the hardest for me. I really slowed down during mile 4.
That’s when I decided to tap into my running mantra, which actually helped me keep a better pace after struggling through the middle miles.
Stats According to Pacey:
Distance: 6.35 Miles
Pace: 7:28 (including the bathroom stop)
Time: 47:01
- Mile 1: 7:41
- Mile 2: 7:15
- Mile 3: 7:24
- Mile 4 7:46
- Mile 5 7:21
- Mile 6 7:28
- Last .35 2:23
Stats according to the D-tag and the NYRR:
Distance: 6.1 miles
Pace: 7:45
Time: 48:07
My adult PR for a 10K is 48:05. Initially, I was disappointed. But thinking back I realize that this is a great time considering it’s my first 10k in 6 years and it’s the beginning of the running season.
It can only get better from here!
you should be VERY proud of yourself =)
I can’t believe you jogged 3 miles before the race started! You never cease to amaze me!
Mari – you are too kind! Nothing to be amazed by over here. =)
Wow you’re fast!! SO close to a PR!!! You should be proud of that π Haha I love that you ran half the race distance before the race! Congrats!!
Wow! Awesome job! You are such an inspiration! I just started running again (after years off), and jogging/running 3 miles is quite a big deal for me at this point… π Can’t imagine voluntarily running 3 miles BEFORE a 10k!
Have a great running season!
Wow! You’re super fast! Congrats on a great run!
Look at you, Ms. Speedy!! Even speedy in the bathroom! Major props π You are on your way to an awesome racing season. Sleep well!
I know you didn’t do as well as you’d hoped but you still did wonderfully. It was so crowded! I just posted my race recap. As you can see, Bo and I didn’t exactly prep well for this race but we had fun with friends the night before and still enjoyed a great 6.2 mile run! π
You were mere seconds off of your PR at the BEGINNING of the race season? That’s amazing!
wow! nice pace w a bathroom break thrown in! it was very crowded for sure. but… how beautiful of a day was it for a run!
wow you are fast girl! jeez what a great race time π
happy easter!
Wow, amazing time! You totally rocked it! π Happy Easter!
you go girl! great times!
I agree with your optimistic self- thats a really great time and it IS the beginning of running season so you have plenty of time (and maybe less crowded races?) to kill that PR!
Wow! You are quite fast! You did amazing π Congrats.
Great great great job!!! You seriously always motivate me. I need to read your blog each morning when I wake up so that I will be as ambitious as you are! Congrats on this great 10k!