NYRR Scotland Run - Run10k

I got to CP nice and early and enjoyed sunshine and atmosphere around this race. Met Sean and Ron unexpectedly and this really helped me relax and not take the lead into the race to seriously which I'm very happy about. We hung out a bit and moseyed over to the start and took our places among the kilts.

Leading into the race my thoughts had been about doing this at 165 lb which feels heavy for me, versus peak weight of around 155lb and I wondered how that would impact my overall time. A quick shake of hands and "good lucks" with Ron and Sean, the gun fired and I set off at a decent lick. My initial plan had been to keep 1t 7:45's steady and see what I had left for last mile. I was feeling good, legs were going ok and I started to slowly move through the gaps in the field where I could. I settled on following a runner who was doing 7:20's and I took his shoulder for about 3 miles. It was an interesting experience pacing off him. On the uphills he eased off on his pace and I would pass him and then I paid the price for elevated heart rate/effort and he'd pass me on the down hills. So I tried his strategy and found that I ended up with a smoother less strenuous effort on the ups and relaxed into the downhills. At the 4 mile mark I started to feel it and the thought struck me that for me PR in this race I remember kicking on from mile 4. This time the exertion/effort to hold the pace was harder, and I was happy to keep around 7:30's and push a little in the final mile. Crossed the finish in 46:31 and was very, very happy with that effort. My lungs felt like they were burning for a minute or so as I really pushed the last 800M. Grabbed a bottle of water, met Elizabeth and sat down for a well earned rest.

I have 10lb I need to shed!
Biking 25 miles previous day left the legs with a little less bounce than usual.


Fabulous day in Central Park - loved every minute of it.