Denouement

This is one of the fastest 10ks in,hong kong, not because it is pancake flat, but because it is known as a competitive 10k and because the weather is usually better.  The weather has been nicer this week, but today it was a bit warmer than ideal, 22-23C 50% humidity, approx.  So I would prefer 17 or 19, but 22 is much better than the 28 I had on the track race a couple of weeks ago.  

Got there over an hour early so was able to do a nice long warm up, 6.4k total, including some strides. 

I wanted to let Yiu Kit Ching lead for the first 4k or so, but I knew that she wanted me to do the same, so it it was a bit of a conundrum, since I also wanted a good time and she is a faster sprinter than me, so I didn't want a hugely negatively splitting race either.   The course is rolly and out and back with a double loop, so you go out 4k, then come back to 5k, then go out again to 6k, then come back.  Sounds dizzying and like runners would be clashing, but the runners were separated nicely and it was very well organized.

k	Time	Comments
1	3:29	The course started with tail wind and a downhill.  The downhill lasted about a k, but the tailwind persisted, so I knew we'd be coming back in it.  I started right behind her to guarantee I didn't become an early unwitting rabbit and that worked nicely.
2	3:44	We were running side by side for the most part, lots of guys around us, I was holding back, and I am sure she was too
3	3:39	Still the same, running basically together, still tail/cross wind, a bit rolly
4	3:43	Still the same, running basically together, still tail/cross wind, a bit rolly, I am calculating # of seconds below 3:45 pace, because I want to break 37 but I know it will be tough with the hill at the end, she surges through a water stop but I also typically surge through them, so I deliberately respond to keep in it and to discourage her
5	3:41	YKC lets up the pressure at around 4k, so I was a couple of steps ahead of her from 4-6k, but I could see her shadow, is she using me for wind blocking, or just letting me take the leading pressure?  I come up on the 5k clock at 18:18, which my splits do not add up to, but not sure why.  I realize I am right up against my road PR (36:38 from 2008) but that I need to push to get it, since it is net uphill back to the finish.
6		She surges every once in a while and I respond by staying a step ahead, I figure this is my racing strategy at this point, make all surges unsuccessful.
7	7:21 for 2k	I want to take a gu but that would show weakness, she is right behind me, and I am responding to surges, and I am not letting up, though at the 7k mark I am feeling like "What time would I get if I did 4:00 back?" for short weak mental segments.  I tell myself to be brave and run like a champion
8	3:36	I am responding to lots of surges, I know I should be breaking away at this point because in a kick situation she will win, but instead I feel like she is controlling the race even though she is right behind me or beside me the whole k
9	3:43	At 8k we are together, I get a picture taken by the sports reporter just ahead of her, but she surges at 8.2k or so and I let her go, I am so tired, and a bit mentally weak, I know I need to keep my pace good and focus on trying to break 36:38
10	3:38	Uphill and no fun. I can see YKC is not running super strong but I am tired too.  My brain says GO! and my legs say, "what's that?" At 9k she is perhaps 8-10 seconds ahead, I see her look back with 500m to go, I try to respond but it is freaking uphill, so I focus on trying to get the clock in sight, by the time my weak eyes can see it it says 36:25 so I sprint, and end up 4 seconds behind YKC and right at 36:38.

I cooled down with Ali and Betty, another girl who trains at HKSI, 4.8k

So I don't know how to feel about this one.  I broke 37, which is huge, haven't done that since 2008, when I got 36:38 in France.  I also tied my road PR.  So I am in great shape, and I feel like I raced smartly and with heart (at least the first 8.2k).  It is hard when you get second by that little, though.  And this knocks me off first place in the road 10ks in hong kong.  I knew that the ranking would be up for grabs today, and I knew I would have to beat Yiu Kit Ching to keep the number one slot.  However, if I look back between the Coca Cola 10k and now, it has been six weeks, and I have lost 4-5 lbs from cutting out sweets, and I have had some awesome workouts and good races, and I raced this race so much more smartly, so I am making really good progress.  So I NEED to be happy with where I am and with today's race.  There is always something left on the table, it seems, but I need to celebrate this well run race.