10/14/07: Clear Lake USA 10 Mile Race Report!

To be honest with you, I didn't know HOW I would do in this race. First of all, I can't remember the last time I did a 'proper' long run this Marathon season. Plus I am fighting a mean little cold right now. Plus I only got three hours of sleep before the race. Urgh. Okay, okay, okay--I realize those of all things sound like excuses. The reality of the matter is that I ran pretty decent considering my self-induced situation, and missed a PR by only 25 seconds.

That's right, 25 measily seconds. :

Considering I couldn't even remember what my 10 mile PR was going into this race, I guess I am not too annoyed. It's just...I was sooo sooo close! Anyhow, I managed to get to the race site with about 20 minutes to spare and a little on the drowsy side. This allowed me enough time to get my packet and chip, stretch for a few minutes, warmup for about 5 minutes and then line up for the race. Good thing I didn't have to use the portolets. The lines were pretty long even 5 minutes before the race :(.

I, of course, found myself too far back before the start (AGAIN!!!). About 37 seconds before I crossed the start line...and ALREADY behind walkers and people just out to run 'for fun and health,' I guess. ha...no. urggh. I was on a mission to run hard...and after I finished my Carbboom and drank some Gatorade I brought with me I was ready to run...too bad my legs didn't want to do the same and cooperate. The first two miles felt 'okay' but miles 3-5 felt horrible. At the halfway point when I saw Strider Stacie and Claude, I wanted to quit. Seriously. 5 miles in and my legs felt done.

But...I took another Carbboom and tried to keep up with Strider Mark who had passed me a mile earlier. I knew he would run about a 9:05/mile pace and that's about what I wanted to do. In fact, other then actually finishing the race, my other immediate goal was to finish with a 9:00/mile pace or so (you know, 4:00 marathon....). Soo....I went to work. I started to pick off people to pass. I wanted to pass every 'young' looking girl I saw, and was doing it.

I passed Mark before mile 7. I was starting to feel good and I was starting to pick up the pace...A LOT. I always knew I am a stronger 'second-half' runner, but now I was even feeling suprised. I began passing people left and right and continued to speed up. I felt a little nervous that I was going 'that' fast with over 3 miles to go, but I knew I had to do it.
Mile 8 was at 8:58 and I told myself 'this is it, lay the hammer down and run as hard as possible for under 20 more minutes!'

I kept telling myself '14 more minutes, 9 more minutes...3 more minutes...' It really helped. I was really flying the last half a mile. Well, at least I would like to think I was. I probably was shuffling along pretty bad but with momentum and Carbboom and the thought of finishing fresh in my mind, I went for it.

The clock read 1:31 and I was immediately annoyed although releaved by my hard efforts. I knew I probably came very close to PRing...but how close? I saw Coach Steeeeeeeeve and found out it was 25 seconds close, but 25 seconds TOO slow. Ah well. I just have to go get that PR in two weeks at the Houston Half. What will help me do it? Running smart and hard the next two weeks. And having a game plan on race day...not just showing up and hoping for the best.

Til then-lots of hard work to do-and no more skipping long runs!!!

THE STATS:
10 miles @
ave 9:04/mile

1:30:37 official chip time
9:19/first half average
8:48/second half average

9:23, 9:29, 9:19. 9:16, 9:11
8:48, 9:05, 8:58, 8:43, 8:25