Ran the First Dam Run 10K today, which is a local race here in Logan. The nice thing about late-fall races is that they start at 10AM! We got some snow last night, but the roads were warm enough that it didn't accumulate on the roads, but the trees and landscape was very pretty. Cold this morning, about 30 degrees, but no wind, so it was pretty good racing weather. In haste to get out the door, I forgot my watch or garmin, so I ended up running sans timepiece. That's okay, since today was supposed to be a hard workout or time trial anyway. It was interesting running a 10K with no idea of pace or final time until I got to the finish line. It was kind of like Christmas. I warmed up by running the 5K course. The race started on time and I led from start to finish, although I had a bike pacer to keep me company. I know this course pretty well, because it was my weekly tempo course when I lived in Logan, although oddly enough this was my first time actually running the 10K at the FDR event (usually I do the 5K). I was kind of stiff and creaky during the warmup, but felt pretty good the entire race. Felt like I was running hard, but still was not pushing at all, since it was uncontested. But it was definitely a hard workout. The uphill half of the race went pretty well, and on the downhill part I lost focus here and there, so just had to keep pushing whenever I felt myself letting up. I was pleased to see 31:40-ish when I was within site of the finish line clock, and ended up officially at 31:55. I was hoping for sub-32, and am happy with this effort and time. I suppose this is technically my "unaided course altitude PR", since the only 10K's I've run faster were either on a track at sea level or at Des News. Cooled down another 10K with Dave S. after the race, and then grabbed a few more miles after the awards to end up around 20 miles for the day.
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