Race day – Pre Race Plan – run the first 10k at the same pace as the 10k two weeks ago and try to hold on to the end. I know, kind of a crazy race plan. Also, ran easy yesterday, mini-taper.
Pre-race warm up, ran 1 mile with Sylvie mixed with 6 striders of 50 yrds at about 6:30 pace.
Start – Lined up on the second row, kind of tired of getting stuck behind slower runners. The start was smooth with runners settling into a pace early in the race. At about ½ mile, James and Josse caught me, ran with them for a minute or two, they then started pulling away.
Mile 1 – 6:40 – Faster than expected, likely from trying to stay in touch with J & J.
Mile 2 – 7:04 – Seemed like 3 miles long, settled into a pace, passed 4 runners who were slowing down more than me. For the rest of the race, geezered 1 young woman runner and got passed by younger runner at about mile 7. Basically, I ran in no-man’s land until mile 8 when Sasha and Darkhorse ran me in.
Mile 3 – 7:06 – Cal passed me between mile 2 and 3, I think, could have been just before mile 2. He said hello and was really running well. Up ahead, J & J and gathered a small group of runners. They did not stay together long, watched Cal move ahead. (*Note, James was pacing Josse, not racing, and Josse was not likely “racing’ she can run a lot faster, so any reference I make to keeping close does not relate to how J & J were running).
Mile 4 – 7:02 – Where was that darn turnaround anyway. Really felt in no-mans land, just tried to stay in the zone and get to half way. The two leaders were coming back with Sasha and the Darkhorse not far behind. Sasha and the Darkhorse really work well together, must help. I then seen Adam W coming, looked strong.
Mile 5 – 7:11 – Started to worry a little that the wheels were coming off. Seen J & J 30 or 40 seconds ahead at the turnaround, this helped me focus on keeping them in sight. At mile 5 seen Jody coming, with Paula a minute behind Paula and then Sylvie. Good to see them all running well.
Mile 6 – 7:23 – Really felt like the wheels were coming off, yes, kept my race plan of being almost being at the 10K point at the 10K pace two weeks ago. Really started to worry that it would be a death march to the finish. This mile and the next, really tried to get up on my toes, swing my arms more, anything to keep up a decent pace.
Mile 7 – 7:23 – Anyway, consistent in slowing down, J & J were getting ahead more. Tough mile
Mile 8 – 7: 18 – Still tough, got it back a little. Soon after this point, Sasha and the Darkhorse ran me in.
Mile 9 – 7:05 – No doubt, without Gwen, having Sasha and the Darkhorse run me in really made a difference. All runners know how hard it its to make up 13 seconds, give those seconds to the pacers. Sasha plays a great game of getting back to him for a low five, hard as heck, but works.
Mile 9.3 – 2:06 – Had a short kick at the end after much urging.
Race summary: Speed Endurance seems to have gotten better with all the 70 mile weeks. 15K pace only 4 seconds slower than the 10K pace. It would have been nice to see more bloggers at the race. The race seemed to only have half as many runners as the 5K. Sylvie had a gutsy race with her hammy problems.
Commentary: No doubt, without Gwen, the top runners on the blog are as mentally tough as they are in great running shape.
Stay Kool, race hard, have Fun, B of BS Rools out
Just missed being able to give James some BS. I expect he was just kidding, he could have smoked it anytime he wanted.
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