My 10k's so far this year have been faster than 2008, but my 2008 10k's weren't stellar, so I was nervous about this race. In 2008 I did this race in 1:18:40 and it was a great race. So to try to beat a "great" race time and with the course being harder (in a way) was going to be a challenge. Main goal was to get to mile 11 faster than in 2008 (65:38). Add to that my Dad called me on Monday to let me know he was coming in town, arriving Friday night at my home, and my sister asking if I could throw a family get together at my house in honor of my Dad's birthday on Saturday, the fact that I was already throwing a party for a dear friend Saturday afternoon, and we are leaving for Peru on Monday, and I've been pretty stressed. I was stressed about getting to the Riverwoods and there being huge lines for the buses, but everyone was kind of hanging out and relaxed. I got on the first bus in line and got to the starting line a full hour before the race started--perfect. I ran down the canyon to the park and back and did lots of stretching and strides. I earned 3 stars before the race, and took one anti diarreaha med the night before the race, so I was hoping for no pitstops. The race is pretty big (1500 racers?) so there are tons of people. But looking around at the start I don't see any female threats. Not surprising when the race winnings is a pretty lame poster. Anyway, there were guys there. Had a great chat with James, great to see him again, and Walter and Sasha were at the start, almost didn't recognize Craig Green with his stylish longish hair (don't tell him but I think he looked like Jasper on the Twilight series). When I chatted with him I dialed back in time and said, "Hey didn't you just barely beat me in 08?" and Craig confirmed it. My nemesis! Met a couple of other bloggers face to face, like JeffL, very fun. It's like a reunion, coming to these races. Anyway, the race eventually starts, only 10 or so minutes late, not too bad. Splits are based off of a mixture of mile markers and garmin. Mile markers were clearly wrong on some miles, but right on on others, and averaged out just right. Miles 1-4 (south fork canyon, steepest downhill, wanted 5:40-5:45 ave pace for this) 5:42, 5:35, 5:46, 5:37, with guys, no girls to be seen Mile 5 - lesser downhill begins, 5:40, includes water stop Mile 6 - 5:56 Mile 7 - 6:20 half of this mile is half of the one mile uphill segment with headwind is in this mile. I try to catch the guy ahead of me by the top of the hill, he is too far ahead to draft Mile 8 - 6:23 first half still uphill, then downhill surge a bit and close the gap on the guy ahead of me, but don't catch him until the downhill, the turn around was fun because I did know lots of people--I appreciate all the encouragement! Mile 9 5:58 at about 8.4 there was a water stop but it was after a curve so didn't see it until had 20 sec to it, ripped open my gu, got it mostly swallowed, grabbed for some water and dropped the cup! So got a drink from the drinking fountain just before the 9 mile marker, probably cost me just a couple of seconds Mile 10 not sure of split but 59:01 at ten miles, legs started feeling rubbery and got concerned Mile 11, 64:50 (48 sec faster than last year) looking for mouth of the canyon where my dad is supposed to be with my boys to cheer me on, feeling stronger this mile Mile 12 not sure, saw my dad and boys at about 11.75, I gave mickie a high five, hurt him and me (must have been going WAY too fast :D) Mile 13 (flatish mile, just a slight downhill) 5:56, had a heart to heart with myself, knew I was feeling good, I felt like, dang, this is my distance, this last mile is way better than my last miles in my 10ks, I knew I could keep a sub 6:00 pace and did, I also used jedi mind tricks I learned in college. I told myself POWER POWER POWER with ever other footstrike and it totally helped Last bit: .12 in 37.73 this part was hard, since I basically felt like I was kicking in the 13th mile, the last stretch seemed to go forever, until Josse stuck out her belly and said go Michelle! The clock was off. 1:17:44 per my watch and the results posted. 56 seconds faster than 2008. Really happy about that! 2008's course had more flat at the end instead of the one mile uphill switchback this course had. I would say going uphill is harder than flat, but they are very similar. The weather was warm at the end but not too bad, but I just mostly poured my water on myself at each aid station, hoping to get enough in my mouth for a full swallow. Did a 3 mile cool down.
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