Running with the Devil 10k - Run10k

Started out with a short climb out of the starting area and then flat for a short distance. I was in racing mode and felt the need to start out strong. I was really going hard to get ahead of most people, which I did but in hindsight that was not a smart move. We hit the first hill and I still kept going strong. I was breathing heavy already, almost to the 180 BPM range which definitely was not smart. I tried to keep pace with the eventual 30-39 women's age group winner but I lost her after a half mile or so. I remember thinking to myself that it was going to be a long day if I kept this pace so I slowed slightly. My wireless headphones quit at mile marker 1 and I never got them back going again. Lesson learned, always use wired headphones!
The hill up to the turn around was tough but I didn't stop running, which was good. Hit the turn around and grabbed some water plus I stopped for about 15 seconds. Finished the water and hit the road. The climb down from the turn around was okay, I still felt okay but was feeling the effects from the hard running at the beginning. I got passed by the eventual 20-29 men's group winner as well as the women's 20-29 age group winner. Lesson learned right then and there: you don't have to be a hero at the start! Its all about pacing yourself and saving some energy for the end. At mile marker 4 I was getting winded and this is when I started to get a cramp in my left calf. This was the first time that I have ever cramped up on a run and I remember thinking to myself that I should never run 7.5 miles three days before a race! I also started to feel some chaffing on both of my ankles from my shoes, so I will try to put a large band-aid or tape there next time.I started to drink my Gatorade a little more in the last few miles so I am glad that I wore my hydration belt. Most people in the 10k didn't use one, maybe next time I will try without it.The last hill heading back was brutal and I this is when I started to walk. I was shot due to my outburst in the beginning and I paid for it later on. Lesson learned! Finally made it up that hill and another last hill awaited me to the end of the race. I didnt want to drink any energy, but I took a few swigs of my red bull shot mixed with equal parts water. Not really sure if it helped, but mentally I was able to push myself up that last hill with very little walking. I caught up and passed the eventual 50-59 women's age group winner on that final hill. As I turned the corner to head down the hill to the finish she caught up with me and started to pass. I thought to myself "I want to be ahead of this person" so I kicked it up a few gears. I don't know where the energy came from but I really pushed it hard to the finish with a nice pace. Crossed the line with the clock reading 1:00:00 but my watch read 55:00. I eventually found out that my official time was 55:41 which I was happy with. Just imagine if I had run the whole time, I may have had a shot at a top 25 overall finish and top 3 in my age group. I will evaluate my timing against the others once they post the results.
I was happy with my hydration today, I didn't have that bloated feeling that I got at both of my triathlons this year. I will keep that in my mind when I am on the bike for future triathlons.

1- try to get to bed earlier then 11:30pm!
2- no long runs within 5 days of the race
3- Use wired headphones
4- better pacing at the start of the race, don't try to win the race in the first mile!
5- bring yogurt to eat after the race to sooth my stomach
6- put tape on ankles to prevent irritation on my ankles

After I crossed the finish line, I was handed a finisher medal and a cup of water with something in it that I thought might be a recovery drink. They clipped off my timing chip and I was on my own. I headed right to my car for my recovery Gatorade drink and walked for about 10 minutes to cool down. Once the adrenaline started to wear off I was greeted with stomach pains that made me stop walking. I found some ice to cool the rest of my drink and also had a cup of water. I sat down to relax for a minute but the stomach pains were really harsh. I saw the overall winner eating some yogurt which made me think that it may help sooth my stomach. I did help a little and I started to feel a little better during the awards.


Started too strong which zapped my energy for the hill climbing to finish the race. I learned a lot today about pacing which should help me for the triathlon in October.


The event was well organized and they had plenty of post-race drinks/food for everyone. I think the water was from Lake Mead so I will not be drinking that next year!!!!