International Friendship 10K Run - Run

After feeling really crappy yesterday, and being really worried about this race, I woke up this morning feeling better and decided to just lay it all out on the course and try to do my best. My goal was to average better than 11 minute miles.

I forgot my stopwatch, and my HR monitor has no lap button, so I don't know my mile splits. However, at the 5k point, they were calling out splits...when the guy yelled "30:11" at me, I couldn't believe it. I was on pace to run better than 10 minute miles. However, I had gone out a little fast (for me) and was pretty sure I couldn't keep my pace up.

There was a humourous turn of events for the last 3 miles or so of this race. A young girl (I later found out she was TEN) was just ahead of me, and she kept running short sprints, and then stopping to walk. Well, every time she would stop to walk, I would catch up to her...and the minute I did, she took off again...little turkey. All I could do was laugh. I was sure this little girl was trying to break my spirit! She did this all the way until the finish...and yes, she beat me!

As I passed the 8k mark and looked at my HRM, I noticed that I actually had a change at a negative split...so I started pushing harder...in fact, as hard as I could. I started to get side stitches, and my breathing was getting labored. I misstepped once and almost fell as I stumbled slightly on the shoulder of the road, but I kept my balance. At about 9.5k, I finally could see the finish area and I ran as hard as I could....I came in at 1:00:25. No negative split, but my second 5k was almost identical to my first.

For my first "stand alone" 10k, I was very pleased. My goal was to break 11 minute miles, and instead, I broke 10 minute miles. Brett's training is really paying off. I did end up DFL in my age group (by 10 seconds...grrrr) but right now I am only racing against myself, so I'm still happy with the performance.

Not much...maybe grab that little girl's ponytail so she couldn't sprint away from me! (Just kidding...she was doing a great job, even if she was intent on leaving me in an exhausted heap on the side of the road!).

If I had known I was only 10 seconds behind the 12th place guy in my AG, I would have sprinted until my guts fell out to avoid a DFL...but oh well.

Got finishers medal, some gatorade and a banana, and a cup of yogurt. Walked around a bit then changed into dry clothes. Looked for Sal (Vegas), a BTer from McAllen, but couldn't find him.


Extra weight....beginner status...being sick all week.


This race was well put-together. We don't have many events down here, but this one was first class. Even had nice finishers medals and plenty of food and drinks afterwards. I will definitely be back next year!