Run Thru History - Run10k

This challenging, hilly 10k was more than 3 minutes faster than the 2 10ks I ran early last year on a flat course, but still nearly 3 minutes slower than my 2006 10k on a rolling course (maybe not as hard as Vicksburg, though). I definitely have more work to do, but overall I think things are looking up.

I knew the first mile was primarily uphill, but tried not to start too conservatively. Initially, the road was pretty packed so it was difficult to get going right off the mark, but I quickly found some room and settled into a groove. Having never run this course, but knowing that it was hilly and hard, I merely set a goal to run all the hills. The first hill hit before the first mile (which I ran in about 9:30), but I think it was the second hill that really set the tone for the rest of the race. Mama mia...she was long and steep. People had already begun to walk, and we weren't even to mile 2 yet. Luckily, what goes up must come down, and we had a long coast before heading back uphill. I ran the next few miles right about 9:00 pace, and felt good. I deliberately didn't charge up the hills; instead, I concentrated on leaning forward, shortening my stride a bit, and swinging my arms hard. On the downhills, I tried not to "brake" and continued to lean a bit forward and let gravity pull me down. I actually passed people on the downhills, which I never do. Maybe it's the Newtons...or maybe I've just adopted better form.

I really felt good through mile 4, maintaining that 9:00 pace. My HR would spke on the uphills, but I felt as if I was recovering pretty well. The last 2 miles started to get tough, and I desperately wanted to walk up the hills. I made myself keep running, albeit, at times, a pretty slow pace, so my mile times slowed to 9:15-9:20ish. I took one short walk break for some water right before mile 5. Two more hills after that, and then downhill and flat to the finish. I was hoping to come in under 57:00, but just didn't have the kick in me to sprint to the line.

Try to push the hills harder even though I felt like I couldn't (because I probably could).

Walk over to the food table, grab a banana, an orange slice, and a cup of beer.


Not trusting my ability to push it harder than I think I can.


Really good race. Well organized (as all MTC races), good eats, and definitely a treat to run in the battlefield.