The 21st Governor's Bay Bridge Run - Run10k

After getting off the bus, went into the starting corral and waited for the start. Was up close to the front and got off close to the gun time. Since I was starting cold, I used the first 10 minutes to get loose and the blood pumping. The start is flat getting out onto the bridge so worked well to get things going. Heart rate climbed and kept it at high zone 2 till legs were warmed up. About the time was feeling warm, the climb up the bridge started. At this point was slowly picking off racers who started too fast. I increased the pace and got the HR up to just over 170, right around my LT. I focused on keeping this pace and worked my form up to the top of the bridge. Slowly picked off more folks as a few started to walk, not being able to maintain on the hill. I skipped the first water stop and kept pushing on. Wasn't sure of my pace, I didn't see any mile markers but my pace felt like somewhere in the 8-9 range. Kept pushing and could see the crest of the bridge. Maintained pace and focused on keeping HR in range. On the downhill worked to lengthen my stride a bit and take advantage of the downhill. HR dropped south of 170 for a bit here, could have probably pushed a bit more, but kept pace steady. Once and a while would get passed, but generally was picking off more people as the race went on. Grabbed water at the second stop and took a small sip. Pushed on... Was starting to feel the legs after the bridge, trying to guess at how far I had gone... My watch was just starting to approach 40 when when mile 5 marker came up. I had managed sum 8 minute miles from the start! Kept pushing and picked up the pace for the final mile. HR climbed reaching the high 170's, over LT. Felt good and pushed for home. Hit the mile 6 mark, pulling a 7:38... Almost there. Pushed the final stretch and ended 48:35. Not bad for a couch potato a year ago!

Very nice race coordinated - even had very nice finishers medals.

Next time get a warm up in before - run in place, do something to get the legs working. Feel I lost a bunch of time at the start getting going. Also need to watch the HR on descents and not let up as much. Could have gone a bit harder on the descent.

Walked around the park, getting legs cooled down. Had a bagel, and a banana. Race had tons of stuff post race - energy bars, tons of food and even free beer!


Lack of good warm up prior. Left leg still feeling a bit strange. Feel almost like a bit of a limp when running - doesn't hurt during the run, but seems to be tender afterwards. Focus is in the back of left knee, near the inside along the large tendons.


Well run race - would definately do this again.