Deseret News 10K
I really needed to run a race. I have been feeling really slow lately and needed a decent race to put things back in perspective. The Des News 10K is a very fast course. The first 5 miles are mostly downhill (700 ft elevation loss) with the last 1.2 flat to slightly uphill. Since I’ve never run a 10K before, I really had no idea what my pace should be on this course. McMillan’s predictor estimates 39:00-39:30 for a flat 10K for me based on my 5K, 1/2M and marathon times. Since this course is fast, I was hoping to come in around 37:30.
The morning didn’t start out great. First, I forgot my timing chip and had to go back home to get it (fortunately I was only a few miles away when I realized I didn't have it with me). Next, I was attacked by a vicious colony of ants while I was sitting on the grass waiting for the start of the race. I had little bites all over me. Once I got all the ants shaken off, I lined up for the start and was ready to go. For some reason, I didn’t feel race ready. I started having a lot of doubts and wasn’t sure that I would be able to run well.
The gun went off and we were on our way. Bobbed and weaved through the crowds for a little while (I really need to start lining up closer to the front). The course drops 350 feet over the first 2 miles and it really carries you forward. Hit the 1 mile marker in 5:46 which is exactly what I was shooting for. The second mile has some flat sections in it but is still predominantly downhill and I ran it in 5:54. There were a couple of people ahead of me that I beat by a few seconds in a 5K last month. I figured that as long as I kept them in sight, I was right on track. Third mile was 6:16 which was about 10 seconds slower than my target pace for this mile. Hit the 5K in 18:35 (faster than my current PR). From here, I sort of just went into cruise control mode for some reason. Ran the fourth mile in 6:22 (20 seconds slow considering another 100 feet drop in elevation). With only two miles to go, I started to pick it up again. Ran the 5th mile in 6:07 which is pretty close to my target. The course flattens out at this point but I was feeling pretty fresh. Sixth mile was 6:25 (right on target) and I was able to pick off a few runners (including one of the runners that I had my sights on for the first 5 miles). The last 0.2 was at 6:30 pace for a final time of 38:20.
Overall: 100/2,034 (my goal was top 100 so I just eeked that out)
Male: 82/1,011
Division: 7/95
It was 1 minute slower than I anticipated and most of the time was lost in miles 3 and 4. I wasn’t really tired at the end and am a little frustrated that I didn’t push harder. I have a real hard time pushing myself to the limit. I lack the killer instinct necessary to push yourself to the limit. I’m not sure if it is something that you are born with or something that you can develop. With these results, I doubt that I will go for the sub-3 at St George.
Was able to meet Chad, Paul and James at the finish which was nice. Finished the day by running back to my car which was 3 miles away. Having to go back up the 700 ft over 3 miles wasn’t as fun as coming the other way. I was able to see the 2 marathon leaders near the 20 mile mark and was amazed at how easy they make running look. They looked like they were out for a leisurely run but were probably cranking out 5:20’s. Couldn’t see anybody close to them to cheer on so I headed to my car.
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