Was a littled worried about this run. In my last 10k in November I finally, after 3 years, ran a sub-50 min. 10k. Now, after having gained some weight, herniating a disc and just returning to IM training, I wasn't sure how I'd do. Had opted to do this run just because I know I usually struggle with my running, almost as much mentally as physically.

Started out really fast for my standards, but there was this ponytail (somehow other dudes become invisible to me in running races; all I see are ponytails) opening up the way through the crowds fantastically, so I just tagged along and we took turns wading through the crowd.

K's 1 & 2 9:16 (about 4:38 min/km)

From 2 to 3 13:23 (4:06 min/km)
Tried keeping up with Ms. Ponytail, but she was too busy being fast.

From 3 to 5 24:00 (5:18 min/km)
A couple of hills, started to pay for the initial pace

From 5 to 6 28:48 (4:48 min/km)
On pace, looking for another ponytail so I can pick up the pace.

From 6 to 7 33:59 (5:11 min/km)
Damn side-stitch! Time to suck it up: only 3k to go.

From 7 to 8 38:21 (4:22 min/km)
Wohoo, Ms. Ponytail number 2 ran alongside and finally I picked up the pace a bit.

From 8 to 9 42:46 (4:24 min/km)
This one also had business to attend to, so I started falling a bit behind.

From 9 to Finish 47:22 (4:41 min/km)
Almost half of the last Km was this big bridge. I tried digging in deep but was out of gas. I wanted to sprint to the finish, about 300m, but no juice left.

Still, this was a minute and a half faster than in November and 30 seconds faster than my PB!

It seems like all the good looking runners (the many Ms. and Mrs. Ponytails) are in the sub-50min area. Not too thin, not excessively muscular either. I'm NEVER going back up to 50+ min!!!

Seriously though, this run was a confidence booster. I know that with some specific run training I can get to sub-45. I basically ran out of gas because I don't run this hard in training.

Also my Avg. HR was 174, whereas in my last 10k (a minute and change slower) it was 178. I couldn't get it to stick above 175 this time around!

So there's huge room for improvement, but it'll have to be after July 29th (date of my iron-distance race). For now, it's back to LSD. ;)

I was really tired, so I found some friends, sat down and gave monosyllabic replies to their comments.


Lack of speed work and overall run volume.


This was a great opportunity to gauge my run fitness as of week 2/26 of my training plan. First race of the year!