Well.
I just want to start by saying I DID PR.. but only by 56 seconds.
This is my second Cow Harbor 10k. And I can't remember the field being so crowded last year. According to the website however, there were only 5 more people running this year than last (that were timed). So I don't know how or why this year I felt lost in a sea of humanity.
I promised myself I would not weave in and out like I did last year - especially since the humidity was so high. I was very uncomfortable. I remember feeling cold last year to start. But because I held off on the weaving, I was trapped too many times behind groups of people - and then I found myself following someone's cadence far too long, just sort of zoning out. I fell into that trap at least 3 times.
I walked at least 5 times - always just before the crest of the hills. I definitely overdressed. I should not have worn the capris. I was sweating so much, that the earbud to my bluetooth headset kept falling out of my ear! That's a first!
I didn't turn on the Magellan properly. I discovered that on the St. James hill. I didn't have the correct coaching activity on Runmeter, it ended up being my calf recovery program. "Walk 2 minutes, Run 7 minutes". - Ha! Wonderful. I did however, have my sister in Minnesota coaching me throughout the run. I missed a few comments because of my sweaty ear canal, but I'm sure that's too much information.. :)
I didn't think my heart rate looked good at all, (it certainly didn't feel very good) but I think she was just trying to make me feel better! lol!
And of COURSE.. I failed to STOP Runmeter and Magellan at the end. I think I remembered about 1 minute after crossing the finish. And I was NOT smiling as I crossed the finish. So much for any pictures that might have been taken. I thought I did hear someone - about 50 yards or so from the finish call my name and offer words of encouragement. Even if I was imagining it or not, it did get me kicking just a wee bit more. I thought this happened at another race too, but I can't remember now which one. Maybe my subconscious has a male voice! (Totally off topic- with iOS7 I did change Siri's voice to male by the way .. it sounds much more natural than the female voice)
I did not drink beer. I did not see any of my blogger friends. I did not take any goodies, except for a small bag of popcorn. I was overwhelmed with the amount of people today for some reason.
There were plenty of goodies after the race, plenty of water stops. I did not see any clocks - but I believe there were folks with horns calling out the time every other mile or so. As usual, a really well done race. The favorite to win, Mo Trafeh came in 8th overall. Winning time was 29:32, Fernando Cabada from Colorado. A 4:46 pace! I can't even imagine that.
I will train on that course more often for the race next year.
I made it to the baby shower and I did miss the brunch, but the service staff fixed a plate for me when I walked in. I ate most of the fruit and all the bacon and a half a piece of french toast. No butter, no syrup. The mother-to be looked beautiful!
2 weeks until my first Half Marathon.
*snort*
I'm just not ready to break 2 hrs. I think I'll run it 70% max. At an 11:30 pace, that will put me in at 2:30:00. Any faster will be a bonus. Hopefully the weather will be in my favor.
57:22
9:14
45/213 Age
Age graded: 62% - puts me in Local class. This makes me happy.
2153/4577
Video finish
Congrats on the PR. I think I saw you warming up on laurel -- black pants, yellow shirt, headphones? I had a blast. Beer truck , gunthers tavern, backyard BBQ. That's why we run!
ReplyDeleteI WAS running back and forth on Laurel. I did not have headphones on, though. I have a black blue tooth head set that sits around my neck, and I usually only use one earbud. I'm short,(duh)with a pony tail and always sunglasses. I had yellow compressions on too. Oh, see the pic upper right.
DeleteI'm glad you had a blast. It must be fun to run with friends!
Way to go!! I think it is cool that you had your sister coaching you through the race--that must have been very comforting. What was the temp out there? Did you wear long sleeves or short?
ReplyDeleteI sometimes walk in a really intense race, I think it helps me to keep going. That time is really wonderful-Are you going to take a little break, especially as you have a half marathon coming up?
Regards,
glynis
It was just under 60 when I got there, then low 60's when I left. It was the humidity that was the killer, though. I wore my sleeveless. I should have worn my tank and shorts, no capris.
DeleteNo break, I have to try to run at least 10 miles between now and the half. If not to condition my legs, to just let myself know I can do it.
Thanks for commenting!
-Celia
Hey a PR is a PR..and what a drip feast of humidity. Yeech. 56s is darn good. (I only eeked out 30s 8)
ReplyDeleteAG pretty good! I was 5/23 which is a pretty similar ratio.
To get your best 10k PR you'll need a less hilly course a drier day and less crowding so you can run
tangents easily and not get bottled up.
Which half you running?
Oh thanks, Paul. Tangents? I think I managed just one accurately. Now that my sympathetic nervous system is calming down a bit - I can see where I did well today. Last year my age grade was 60.42. I barely made Local Class. This year, even though I didn't come in at 55:00 which is what I was secretly hoping for, I managed to come up to 62%, solidly above 60. Also, last year I was in the top 1/3 of my age group, today, the top 1/4. I guess it's all how you look at things. I'm going to map out the diva. I think I heard someone say it's pretty flat.
DeleteSomeone won the race? : ) I tend to forget that. Thanks for the report, I like to hear about other experiences. You did a fantastic job today and should be very proud. You are so ready for the half!
ReplyDeleteWell, thanks! I'm ready to hoof it at a much slower pace, anyway! Maybe I'll even let them drape a boa around me this year. I'm NOT wearing a tiara, though.
DeleteThose silly divas..
Ok, I'm a dope, I just saw your banner for the Diva HM.
ReplyDeleteCould not find an elevation profile for that race.....bargle...hopefully that means is really flat 8/
The new wrinkle with HMs is eating and drinking more than for a 10k. I don't take race drinks except water and I bring my own GU-ish stuff
I've been using sugar free electrolytes for the shorter runs, especially during the warmer weather. I'll probably pack some coconut water and small pieces of a p90x bar for the HM.
DeleteFantastic run! A PR is a PR! That's great, especially in this weather. I think the DIva course is almost identical to the LI Half Marathon course which means it's pretty much pancake flat, but also a little boring. I don't know what I'd be more afraid of, the tiara-boa requirement or the half naked fireman handing out medals.
DeleteOMG..I forgot about those guys. They're all too young for me anyway. After the 5k last year, I took the medal and told them to keep the champagne. He looked insulted.
DeleteI'm really ambivalent about the Diva and other gender specific races. My friends who run the NYRR Mini-10K argue it's a safe race for women who can run without feeling the competitive masculine vibe. But I don't think it's really fair to exclude people and would protest a male-only race. But if the Diva attracts women who normally wouldn't compete in a race, it's a good thing.
DeleteI would object if they handicapped a race in someway, regardless who was included/excluded - We're all just running against a clock after all. It's the stereotyping of women that rubs me the wrong way. I'm not the frilly, blingy type, so it makes me cringe just a little bit, even though I'm surrounding by own gender. Talk about trying to stick to tangents.. some women run 5, 6 abreast talking throughout the race. And that's fine for them, but give me some room so I can do my thing..
DeleteCongrats! I just love that there's an actual place called Cow Harbor. It puts an amusing picture in my mind.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.villageofnorthport.com/home/index.php/cow-harbor-day
Delete..and it's quite lovely there too..
thanks for stopping by, Jennifer!
Well done!! You can *definitely* break 2:30 in the half, if not better -- I say rest up & then go for it! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Angela.. it's been a while since I've even run 10 miles, so I'll be pleasantly surprised!
DeleteA PR is a PR, congrats on a job well done and you'll be fine in the half marathon. I bet you will surprise yourself....
ReplyDeleteFlower, that's what everyone is telling me - that it's still a PR - so I'm allowing myself to feel better about the fact that I did not run the 55:00 that I wanted.
DeleteI have all you folks to thank for your support!