doin' it for the hashtag: 10K

Showing posts with label 10K. Show all posts

Monday, September 3, 2018

Race Report: Big Peach Sizzler

Previous PR: 47:53 (5/6/17)
90% Goal: 50:00
50% Goal: 47:45
10% Goal: 47:00
Result: 48:11
Weather: 72 degrees, partly sunny, 93% humidity

Training:
Nick Wills' Miler Method Basecamp
Not the most intense training, but a good mix of stimuli: hills, tempo, track, etc.
Had a lot of longer runs that were faster than expected, but only a single 20min tempo run that I can remember really pushing myself on.

Pre-Race:
My head hasn't been in this race for the past two weeks, thanks to a lot of personal stress. Last night, I had a bit of a tight spot in my calf that feeling a bit anxious. I was glad to have my family coming along too (husband and kiddo ran the 5K with a stroller). We arrived at the 5K start, and then I took the train up to the 10K start (it's a one-way race with the 5K race being the second half of the 10K course and starting 30min earlier).

pretty sweet bib number, eh?

It's been awhile since I've been at a running event solo, and I was happy to find a few familiar, friendly faces before the race. Did a short warm-up, and then headed to the start, lining up about midway between the 7:00 and 8:00 flags. I was happy to run into a few other ATC runners and chat with them before the gun went off.

Race: I had it in my head that this course was downhill and flat, with a couple small hills. As soon as we turned onto Peachtree (~1/4mi in), I was met with a giant hill. WTF.

"Alright, just get to the top, and then it's downhill from there."

Nooooope. Mile after mile, I found myself climbing hill after hill. The course was definitely "Atlanta flat", but inclines that are NBD on an easy run seem like mountains when you're racing.

Those 50' climbs were so discouraging.

I had a hard time gauging what a good pace would be. Were there more hills? Should I be saving some energy? What pace could I reasonably keep for the last five miles? I had no idea.

Mile 1: 7:27 This felt fast, but manageable. If only the sun would go away...

Mile 2: 7:38 I found myself pretty alone in the field except another woman, and we kind of held onto each other for a mile and a half, using each other as pacers, almost. Just keep going. Just keep going.

Mile 3: 7:26 I remember thinking how great it would be to see my teammate (who was waiting at the 5K mark), and that I was actually doing pretty well. If I held this pace, I would hit mid 46-- a HUGE improvement.

5K: 23:12 (PR = 22:48) I remember feeling awesome about this split. I still felt like I could have been carrying on a conversation the whole time up to this point, and it made me happy to think that, had this been a 5K, I could've been done much sooner without having to save so much for the next 5K.

Mile 4: 7:30 This is where it got hard. I kept thinking "alright, the flat/downhill part has to be around here SOMEWHERE, right?", but it never came. There was just one hill after another. I was singing in my head at this point, reminding myself of my teammate's words "make it count" and "give it your all", and just trying to start counting down the miles. That was harder now, because my watch GPS was off (and ahead) from the course. I was clicking up a solid tenth of a mile too early, and that was demoralizing.

Mile 5: 8:02.Here's where the breakdown happened. I hated running in the sunlight. My entire body was feeling warm, and I found myself desperately wishing I wasn't wearing a shirt. Was I overheating? Was this heat stroke? Did I need to slow down? ...or was this just what running this fast for this long was supposed to feel like? I had another teammate waiting for me "around mile 5" that kept me going, but i was already wanting to slow down by time I saw her. As soon as I turned the corner, there was another hill. Out of her sightline, i let myself walk. "Just 100 paces", I told myself, "and then you're running again". I probably only needed 50, but the temptation to use the full allotment was too great. By the time I started running, I'd put myself out of contention for a PR. There was no way I could make up that much time.

Mile 6: 7:23/mi avg This stretch just didn't end. I kept frantically looking for the 5K's 3mi marker, and then, after that, the joint finish line. Telling myself "it's just one lap on the track" didn't help. The heat, humidity, hills, and, maybe more than anything, sunlight, got to me.

Last 0.22mi
grey= pace, green= elevation
see how much that little bit of incline broke my heart and slowed my pace?

I struggled in across the line, so very thankful to be done.

Reflections:
I'm disappointed that I took that walk break. Without it, I'm sure I would have PRed. Especially now, looking back at my mile splits, I can't help but say, "seriously, did you actually NEED to walk? You were doing GREAT."

I knew it during my tempo training run, and I definitely thought a lot about it on today's run: I need more tempo runs in my life. I can perform really well in track workouts, but my level of execution for tempo mileage is lagging really far behind. While I might be able to eek out something good for a 5K, the middle and longer distance runs are still tough for me. I'd much rather "make it hurt" for a short duration than "make it uncomfortable" for a longer one.

There have been very few times in this training cycle where I've really pushed myself very far out of my comfort zone. That's exactly why today shook out the way it did. Just following a training plan isn't enough, I need to find the right one for me that will train my weaknesses and preserve my strengths, and then I need to execute it. That's still something I'm learning.

While I still believe a lack of tempo runs is what did me in today, I can't forget that I've had some serious life stress outside of my running reality. As much as I'd like to believe it doesn't affect my runs, I'm sure it did.

Another thing I probably need to consider is doing some running after sunrise. 4:30 and 5am runs are great... until you're racing in full sunlight. I struggled a little at Peachtree, and definitely today, due to weather conditions being so different than what I train in. Perhaps a single afternoon run is something I should add in for my next cycle?

It's been a long time since I've actually raced- just about a year, in fact, since the West End Mile. I've realized just how few people actually try to "race" races in my extended running friends group. A lot of us run races, and train for "PRs", but it's rare to find someone who seeks to push themselves outside of their comfort zone. I'm still learning how to do this myself, but I'm always intrigued by how many different things different people get out of running. Whatever you want running for in your life, there's a way to make that happen.

What's Next:
Taking a week off from anything real, and then looking for a fast fall 5K while training up for an actual half marathon attempt on Thanksgiving (not mentally ready to say I'm racing it, but maybe I can make it more of tempo run than I've ever been able to do at that distance). Definitely need to find a way to incorporate more hill repeats and tempo runs into my "easy mileage" as I look for my next training plan too.

Tuesday, July 4, 2017

Race Report: Peachtree Road Race

Previous PR: 47:53 (Flying Pig's Toyota 10K)
Original Goal: 49:59.9
Revised Goal: Run hard. Not "leave it all out there" hard, but tempo pace hard.
Result: 53:00

Goals (written pre-race)
At the beginning of the year, I'd planned on trying to break 50 at Peachtree. Hitting that goal (totally unexpectedly) at Flying Pig, lightened the burden. Instead, my focus shifted to running with friends and helping them hit the sub-50. I haven't been seriously training for a sub-50 Peachtree because I feel like my general training and fitness will enable me to hit that time... barring any crazy weather.

Well, Code Red was issued the day before the race. Temps at the start were forecast at mid-to-high 70s, 98% humidity, and FULL sunshine. By 9am, we'll be in the high 80s. Not exactly the crisp 40s/50s I had at the Pig, or the high 60s/low 70s I was hoping for. I've decided that sub-50 isn't going to happen for me, and just want to have a comfortable push the whole way, knowing that I might need to do some serious slowing down since I haven't run in the heat at all this cycle.

Pre-Race
This was a special race for me, and the whole 10KTuesday group. Why? Because Peachtree happened on a Tuesday, and it's a 10K road race. It's basically the ULTIMATE #10KTuesday :D We had shirts made to share the love of the hashtag, and, bonus, my friend Beth, who comprises the South Carolina contingent of 10KT, came into to town to run too.

I made sure to hydrate and eat well the day before the race, doing whatever I could to prepare help myself have a good race day.

After our 10KTuesday picture, Brandi, Beth and I headed out for a short warm-up. It wasn't very hot yet, but I could already tell today wasn't going to be a good run day for me. Still, I lined myself up in Corral B (weee, first time I've ever started beyond Lenox Rd!!!) with Beth, Brandi, and Brad. Brad was pacing Brandi, and Beth and I had an understanding that we'd start together and just see what happened.

Race
I've never started in the middle of a corral before, and it was NOT fun. For the first mile, we were all trapped behind slower runners, desperately trying to make breaks for it and slide between people to get ahead and into more open territory. Beth and I lost Brad and Brandi somewhere in there, but stuck together for about the first two miles. I felt like I was running very comfortably, but when Beth started to push the pace below a 7:50, I said I'd see her at the finish.

First 5K was a pretty solid 7:51/mi. I knew I wouldn't get faster, but thought I might be able to finish only a minute or two over the 50:00 mark.

...and then Cardiac Started. As I made the first climb, I started feeling the heat, and feeling bad. It wasn't a 'hard effort" bad, it was a "this isn't right" bad. So, I walked a hundred paces (something Jerry does with success) and then resumed running again... and then did that again. When I was in the shade, I had moments of "okay, if it's like this, I can run to the finish", but those moments always ended too quickly.

I walked somewhere between 4-6 times over miles 4 and 5. As much as I hated to "just walk" by all the spectators, it was definitely the right call. I hadn't trained for this weather, and I knew it. I figured I could let myself recover for miles 4 and 5, and then try to push the last mile again... if I felt better.

Hello, "Kick"

When I hit the Mile 5 sign, I had planned on running until the line... but took another walk break before turning onto tenth. I knew I wanted to finish strong, and that I couldn't do that even just "jogging" (ooh, that word makes me shudder) the entire way.

Even turning onto tenth, I knew I still had such a long way to go. It's about 1200m to the finish line, with so many "looks like the finish line should be here" places. I ran into a runner friend and let him pull me along for the last 800m, thinking the entire time how great it would be to just be done already.

Despite my many walk breaks, I didn't have a single mile approaching 10:00, which I find amazing: 7:51, 7:40, 7:43, 9:37, 9:24, 9:01

...and the last 0.22? 6:47/mi pace. It didn't feel like I was running that fast.

Post-Race Reflections

This was the worst race I've ever had. I'm not conditioned for hot running, and even less so for hot, FAST running. I'm grateful that this wasn't a goal race for me, because it's another reminder that, just like marathons, you can train all you want, but race day conditions are something you have NO control over.

#10KTuesday girls, including Beth!

That said, I still feel awesome about what I accomplished. I had a great first 5K, much faster than I thought I'd be able to pull off when we started. I shared my city's premiere race with a good friend. Birgit and I passed the "Pregnant at Peachtree" torch onto our friend, Shelly. Plus, we just had 55,000 people participate in #10KTuesday (albeit most of them unknowingly... but it still counts)!

"Baby on Board"

Roswell Riverside Runners/half of our Bourbon Chase team

#10KTuesday Founders
We made it a THING! :D

Tuesday, May 9, 2017

Race Report: Flying Pig Toyota 10K

Previous PR: 54:09 (Singleton 10K 2016)
Original Goal: recovery run
Revised Goal: fun run
Result: 47:53 (PR)

Original Goals:
Originally, my primary race for the weekend was the mile. Every other time I've raced a hard mile, my legs have been dead for at least a couple days after, and I've been incredibly susceptible to strains. Knowing that, I almost didn't register for any races beyond the mile for Flying Pig weekend. In the end, though, I couldn't stand the thought of not doing any of the actual Flying Pig events, and opted for the 10K instead of the 5K because 1) it was earlier than the 5K, and 2) the course went over a couple bridges crossing the Ohio River. I figured if my legs were destroyed, I could at least walk the course, and reminisce over the first four miles of my first marathon, since the courses were pretty similar.

Pre-Race:
After a mentally (and physically) rough past couple of days, I was surprised to wake up feeling good on race morning. Whatever illness I'd had seemed to be gone, and the sore "OMG-is-this-a-strain" spot in my right calf was nowhere to be found. While I'd run a decently fast mile the night before, I was pleased to find I was completely devoid of my usual post-mile feelings of what can only be described as "oof".

To sum things up, I was feeling good.

Jerry jokingly reminded me to "make it hurt" as he and baby boy headed out to get their spot on the course. I rolled my eyes, still certain I was going to be running easy, and told him I'd be between 56 and 60 min. At best, I figured I'd run a 54. Little did I know... :P

I get to run today!

In the Pig Pens (that's what corrals are called at Flying Pig):
Shortly before the gun went off, I realized my watch was still in "quarter mile lap split" mode from last night's mile. At first, this distressed me, because it meant I wouldn't have mile splits. Shortly, though, I came to love the quarter mile splits. They were frequent enough to give me a good indication of what pace I was running without the annoying inaccuracy of the Garmin's actual "instant pace" feature.

I didn't have any goals for the race. I decided I'd just kind of run it for fun, and see what pace came naturally. Maybe I'd do a progression run? Maybe I'd try to do a first half easy, second half hard? I literally had zero thoughts of goals. I kind of wished I'd brought my phone along; then I could have turned it into a fun picture run, like Brandi had suggested when I was planning to have this be a recovery from the mile. I more than kind of wished, again, that I wasn't "alone" in the corral, and had someone to smile at or bounce things off of. If there's one thing this trip made me realize it's just how incredibly important my running community is to me, and how much running would suck if I weren't friends with other people who ran. I don't need people with me on race day, but I do need to have people to talk about it with before and after!

Mile 1: "Oh, heeeeeeeeeeey"
I went off the line still unsure what my race plan was. I just ran, and was SO excited to see another ATC member, who we'd ran into at yesterday's expo. I said "hey" to her, wished her well, and then heard the best thing ever: a "Go Angelina" within the first quarter mile of the course. I hadn't expected to see Jerry and baby boy until mile 4.5, but there they were!

LOOK! I'M NOT LEANING BACK!!!
VICTORY.

My first split was a 2:00. It took me until the second one came up as 2:01 for me to realize that was an 8:00 pace. That was a 50:00 10K pace. This is one of those elusive times for me. Last year, a group of the 10KTuesday crew decided to go for sub-50 at Peachtree. An 8:00 pace for over six miles? No thanks. I knew I was capable of it, but had zero desire to put in the work for it.

Recently, I'd started thinking about this year's Peachtree goals, and made the declaration to some of the crew that I was probably going to end up joining the "sub-50" group this year. Even knowing that I'm capable of it, I didn't actually believe it would happen at Peachtree. Weather is funky. It's hot. The course starts easy and gets hard. Plus, running with the group would probably mean they'd take it as even splits and I'd feel like I was working hard from the very beginning since I have a different race strategy preference.

Today, I was totally alone, and it was actually a good thing. It's been awhile since I've run a race where I wasn't trying to run "with" anyone. It was strange to go my own pace, without trying to stick with someone, pull anyone along, or hit a specific pace goal. It felt good, though. It felt free.

As we ran over the first bridge across the Ohio River, I couldn't help but remember the last time I ran across that bridge. That was where I'd fallen off the back of my first pace group in my first marathon. That day, I couldn't even hold a 4:45 marathon (10:45/mi) pace. Today, I was crushing an 8:00.

Miles 2 and 3: "Just Get Through Kentucky"
At some point in Kentucky, my mentality shifted from "just run whatever feels right" to "let's see how long you can keep this up". I wasn't going for 50, or a PR, but I was making a conscious decision to just hold my pace. It was also during this part where I grabbed my first cup of water from an aid station.

Since my first Peachtree in 2013, I've run every race that I planned to drink during with a handheld. It was a weird thing to have to wait until the aid station to have a sip of something, but I'm certain that it changed my outlook on the event. There was something about grabbing a paper cup, bending it to form a better channel through which the water could flow, and deliberately pouring the water into my mouth, that made me feel different, like I was racing, and not just running a 10K where I could leisurely sip. I had business to do.

Mile 4: "This Feels Good"
As I climbed up the second bridge, which took me back over the river to Ohio, I felt really proud. Three years ago, it was on this same bridge that I had fallen off the back of the 5:00 pace group. Now, I was passing people on the climb. I still wasn't thinking about what my ultimate finish time might be. It was all about right here and right now.

...but the here and now was starting to wear on me. I'm really good at short distances. I can "make it hurt" for a short, finite portion of time, where I can see the end. I'm NOT good at long distances. The idea of pacing myself, or forcing a long slow burn when I could opt for a hard and fast explosion is so unappealing. This was a challenge for me during the marathon last fall, and it's also why I've put off setting any pace goals for something longer than a 5K. Mentally, it's just hard for me.

When I passed the m4 marker, I took a look at my watch and saw I wasn't just on pace, but ahead of what I needed for a 50:00. At the 4.25mi marker, I decided to see how far off I was from the elusive 50:00. With two miles to go, I should be around 34:00 if I was going to keep a consistent 8:00 until the finish, I was at 32. Holy stromboli. I wasn't just going to PR today; I was going to break 50.

Mile 5: "It's Gonna Happen"
Around 4.5, I started wishing that I had studied the course profile a bit more. I remembered that the 10K's last two miles kinda sorta crossed the general vicinity of THE hill on the full/half course. Did it actually go up the hill? Had I saved enough for a wretched climb? I didn't know.

As I turned the corner after a looooong straightaway, I reminded myself that I only had to get through eight more clicks of my watch lap timer- eight more laps around the track- and then I would be done. That was a good thing to think about, especially as I saw the hill that greeted me around the bend.

Fortunately, the hill was accompanied by Shelly's familiar voice shouting my name. I was so excited to look up and spot Jerry, Shelly, and then hone in on my little potato, happily sitting in his stroller and clapping. I knew I was ahead of the time they were expecting me at, and that gave me a little more motivation to smile as I passed by them, waving to my son and knowing I was kicking some serious asphalt.

II'M NOT LEANING BACK IN THIS PICTURE EITHER!

Mile 6: "Finish"
...and then it was just a matter of finishing. I had another mile left, and it was a constant struggle to gradually pick up the pace while saving enough for whatever unknown might greet me in that last 1600m. My race strategy is to use the last mile to gradually get faster. I try to "turn it another click" every quarter mile and then kick to the finish on my last 0.1-0.25. Not knowing exactly where I was made this harder to do.

I remember being so grateful to see the 5K's "2mi" marker and know I had less than 1.1 to go. In the final stretch, just as I was kicking towards the finish swing, I was thrilled to see Jerry and baby boy had found a spot along the chute. I hadn't expected to see them again until after the line, at our designated meet-up spot, and it was an extra boost to know I was going to be able to go flying past them, with Jerry knowing I was about to break 50:00 too.

This is a PR face.
Also, STILL not leaning back
(not really leaning forward, but, hey, not leaning back is good)

Post-Race:

I couldn't believe I'd done it when I crossed the line. I didn't know what my time was, but I knew I had obliterated 50:00.

Dat kick, tho.

While it was "only a 10K", there was so much about this race that reminded me of my first Finish Swine. Only this time wasn't just about finishing; it was about conquering. I reveled in the entire Finish Swine experiencing, thanking all the volunteer gRunts, appreciating the incredible array of post-race goodies (this race is the BEST for that stuff), and taking up the photographers on their requests for pics with my medal. I would have time to share the glory with my family and friends soon, and I enjoyed the few minutes I had with just me and the knowledge that I'd done something I didn't think I would do.

I broke 5-0! :D

Reflections

While I've had some incredible PRs that I've trained for and gone into a race aspiring to, my favorites are still the ones like this, that happen without thinking about them. I signed up for this weekend expecting to train hard and run a 6:00 mile on Friday night, with a 10K fun walk/run the day after. I ended up coming here sick, fresh off an injury, with a mediocre performance in the mile and a 10K beyond my wildest expectations.

There were times I wanted to cut off during the race, but I stopped myself with the idea that, if I didn't do it here, in these amazing conditions, then I'd have to really try at Peachtree. It might be hot. It might be hard. Or, worse yet, I might not be able to run this well (or at all) for any number of reasons. I had the opportunity, and I had to take it. At the very least, I had to know I'd done all I could.

Nailed it. :)

somebody liked Mommy's medal <3

Tuesday, July 5, 2016

Race Report: Peachtree Road Race

This was NOT my finest 10K, but it may have been my most fun.

Before the race, I had a lot of trouble setting goals for myself. By race day, an injury had me feeling grateful just to be able to run at all. I've been fortunate enough to forget what being unable to run feels like for the past two years. Even being off for only two days (and during a taper week, no less, where I would only have run on ONE of those days for a max of three miles), I was a disaster.

Until you've bawled your eyes out on your evening commute because you see someone running on the sidewalk while you're in pain, wearing a boot, and incapable of even going for a light stroll around the block, it's easy to take the ability to run for granted. After a few stints of bad injuries, I've come to really appreciate my health. When I don't "feel like" running, I remember how not being ABLE to run feels, and suck it up and get out there... because I can.

Pre-Peachtree, I committed to rest, some strengthening exercises, anti-inflammatory pills and foods to give myself the best chance for success. I also had Jerry help with some KT taping for an extra layer of security the night before.

Trust me, the USA nails are a much better (and internet-appropriate) pic than the KT tape on my hip bone

Also, we got (temporary) ATC tattoos!

I was beyond grateful to be able to run Peachtree this year, and I took in every experience with a new appreciation. We met up with friends at the North Springs MARTA, got to walk to the start together, get excited together, take silly pictures together, and just enjoy the pre-race buzz together.

How strong? So strong.

ABCDE waves!

party at the port-a-potties!

The morning started off with excellent weather for a race, and, at first, I lamented not being able to go for any particular time, but ended up being really grateful that I was able to run with Birgit, who was also starting off in Corral C. She's 6 1/2 mo pregnant, and was just hoping to finish in under an hour.

We had SO MUCH FUN on course. It was really awesome to just go run at a comfortable pace with no stress about anything. I loved being able to support her through her pregnant Peachtree; asking if she needed water or anything and encouraging her up the hills gave me something to focus on besides myself, and I was grateful for the "distraction". Plus, she absolutely KILLED it, finishing in 57:50. At almost 7mo pregnant.

so proud of this girl!

Also, for reference: my time last year, at 4mo pregnant, was 58:45.

Afterwards, we enjoyed a reunion with the #10KTuesday crew and hanging out with friends at the ATC member after party. It's great to remember that not every race needs to be about your time. There are plenty of other things to strive for and enjoy, and the successes of friends and family will always give you something to celebrate, even if your race wasn't what you'd originally hoped it would be.

the crew

#10KTuesday does the "Eachtree"?

Look! Look! We actually got a picture together! :D
This guy annihilated his "top 1000" goal, finishing 565 out of almost 60,000 runners <3
SO. FAST. #gazellelife

Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Peachtree Road Race Preview

Well, we're one week away from Peachtree 2016. Guess it's time for a "goals" post...

Pre-Race Thoughts:
It's hard to make time goals when I still don't know if I want a time goal. I've gotten so much faster in the past few months, that I feel a little pressured to race because:
1) All my friends are doing it
2) All my friends are more ambitious than me (and totally capable of their sub-50 goals)
3) I'm in really good shape right now. Don't I want to know how fast I truly can run a 10K?

Ugh. Goals. Can't I just run this for funsies? Maybe pace someone to a sub-60 or run with Birgit? Then the pressure to perform is totally off of me, but I can still help someone else reach their goal and get a lot of satisfaction out of my race.

Nope. The peer pressure to be "part of the group" and do my best (or at least run a decent race for me) is too strong. So, here we go...

Goals:
90% Sure I Can: 55:00
This was the original goal for Singleton. Singleton was freaking hard, and I don't think I would have stuck it out without Shelly as my pacer. The idea of letting someone else down was more motivating that letting myself down. That said, Singleton was also really hilly, and less than twelve hours after I touched down after a few days in Houston.

I'm stronger now, will have the ability to rest up, and go into the race prepared for success. Also, I ran a 56:09 this morning on a training run. Surely breaking 55 should be easy for me on race day... right? :/

50% Sure I Can: PR (54:08)
If I want it, I know I can do this.
I'm just only about 50% sure that I want it.

10% Sure I Can: 52:00
While the rest of the crew (well, pretty much the rest of them) is gunning for sub-50, I think that's a bit too much of a stretch for my mind right now. I'd need to hold just a little slower than my Braves pace for DOUBLE the distance.

Can I do that? Maybe.

Do I want to? No.

I'm 100% sure that I don't want to put in the effort it would take to hold an 8:00 (probably 7:55, since I won't be able to run tangents) the entire 6.22+ miles. A lower mid-8, though, seems "reasonable".

So, now that those are out there, we'll just see which game my head's in on Monday...

Wednesday, May 11, 2016

Peachtree Training

Links to posts from postpartum Peachtree Training from pregnancy/baby blog:

Pregnant Running

Links to running-related posts from pregnancy/baby blog: