This was a really dissapointing race. I wasn't expecting a lot, I haven't been training that hard, I've been letting myself slack off with slow miles, walking, lots of treadmill work, and I don't remember the last time I did a speed workout. Still, I expected to not want to die. I've been training, I swear, I should be able to run 6 miles! But somehow, pretty much from the third mile on I just felt like my legs were lead, like it was the last miles of a full marathon, not a 10k. I had to tell myself, just keep going, just keep going, and it was so short! It was so depressing and I just didn't understand it - I took yesterday off so my legs were fresh. First my shins were bothering me, then my calves, and my legs overall just felt like they weighed 1,000 pounds each. Splits: 1 - 8:13 2 - 8:08 3 - I have no idea, can't remember, must be somewhere around 8:08 or something 4 - 8:15 5 - 8:24 6 - 8:30 You can see how the downward spiral came on, and I just couldn't stop it. I had slowly picked off about 10 or so people in miles 2-3 and it was so sad to watch ALL of them (and more!) to pass me in miles 5 and 6 and I just couldn't do anything to stop it. I would be like, okay, at least keep up with them, but I just couldn't make my legs move. Even sprinting at the end was a huge effort and I doubt my sprint was much faster than 8:10 mile pace or so. Blahhhhh. So the most depressing thing is that 3 months ago I ran a 10k in 49:16 and although I felt exhausted and slightly nauteous afterwards, my legs were absolutely fine. Good race overall though, very flat, pretty through a park along the Green River, well run with cute shirts and mile markers. Take Aways - I clearly need to train harder. I need to make it a priority to push myself harder and not let myself slack and run treadmill miles at 6mph (10min pace) because that is unacceptable. I HAVE to run outside both weekend days in the winter, no matter the weather, its my only chance to be outside. And I must start adding speedwork back into the workouts, even if its on the treadmill. Better something than nothing.
They just posted the results of the race, and I guess on the plus side, I got 2nd in my age division (25th out of women). Should have stuck around since it said the top 5 in each age group got prizes! Probably the only one I"ll ever get.... I need to savor it despite the dissapointment!
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