Runner's Den Classic Road Races - Run10k

It had been about 3 months since my last 10k (my first) and I was looking to set a PR. My training has been going pretty well with a 1/2 mary just a few weeks ago and my first tri a couple weeks ago.

I was feeling good at the start. No chip timing so I got a spot close to the front. This would be a problem later.

When the gun when off, I just headed out. Stayed up with my surrounding group, but well behind the leaders who were out of sight instantly. Felt like a good pace, maybe a tad fast. When I hit mile 1 and the timer said 6:50, I knew I was in trouble. Way too fast. I needed to average 8 min/miles to get a PR, but this was rediculous. Eased off for the next 3 miles and lots of people passed me.

By mile 3, it was slowly uphill into a little wind and I was feeling it. Figured once I got to 4 it would be downhill and I could make up some ground. At the slowest point, from 3 to 4, my pace was about 8:30 and I had to tell myself to kick it up a little.

Mile 5 was a turning point. The previous mile was back into the low 8s and I was going for it. Wasn't watching my HRM so I couldn't start thinking about HR, LT and DTE (distance till empty!). Just stuck to a pace and tried to keep up with an older guy.

Seemed like it took forever to hit mile 6 and was very surprised to see 46:45. My on-the-fly math was all wrong and had expected to barely finish in 51 min. I was going to smash my PR of 51:27 by a bunch. Sprinted to the end and passed a couple people.

Start a little slower and not look at my HRM as much. It's a great training tool, but maybe not for racing. I should just go and pace myself on how I feel, not a set HR range.

Wandered around looking for the t-shirt booth since I was late and didn't get a shirt beforehand. Didn't find it so I grabbed a bag of food (apple, bagel, gel, granola bar) and headed to the car.


Training, pace limits, self doubt.


Good race venue. Was very organized and well run. Plenty of traffic control. I didn't like running along the busy streets. All the exhaust was killing me. I really like the timers at every mile and there were plenty of water stops, too.