So the pressure was on because on some level I would have liked to defend my “title”.
But on a more realistic level the pressure was off because I’d done almost no speedwork since well before Boston. And I was getting over a dandy chest cold.
I donned my Boston racer-back top, (that’s gotta be good for some speedy mojo right?) packed up the Team and headed out feeling hopeful that I would at least do my best. All awards and accolades aside isn’t that the most one can ask?
After much Memorial Day pomp and circumstance we were off. Trying my best to get somewhat close to the starting line since there were no chips, I found myself in a gaggle of pre-pubescent boys. The starting gun sounded and they were all flailing elbows and slapping feet as they surged out way too fast. I felt swallowed up by most of the field but refused to get caught up in the fury. They were probably doing the 5k therefore going out much faster than I.
My plan was to run an easy 8:30 first mile then build, if possible, from there. I vowed not to be pressured into some gut-busting pace.
Mile 1: 8:04. Oops that was peppy, use the 2nd mile to settle down.
Mile 2: 8:18. Better
We reached where the 5k runners split off for their finish and I looked on wistfully.
Other Me: “Don’t you dare go in! You just ran the Boston freaking Marathon and now you can’t finish a 10k? Oh this is rich!”
So I press on, the field has thinned considerably with the 5kers gone. There’s a woman running ahead. Will I be able to pass her at some point? Will it be her and I in a dogfight at the finish? I promised myself at the end of last season I’d try to be a more aggressive racer and try to pick off people at the end.
Mile 3: 8:03
It’s very apparent the nasty chest cold has left me aerobically challenged because this has already become more than comfortably hard. I shudder to think there are 3.2 more miles.
Other me: “You can and will maintain this pace!”
Me: “Oh but what about my angry hamstring? Perhaps I should settle down and see what I have left later.”
Somewhere in here I manage to pass the woman, wondering if she’ll come with me. She emits a deep, ragged cough. Ok probably not then.
Mile 4: 8:15
Me: “Just 2 miles and change. Less than 20 minutes now”
Other me: “So pick it up. What have you got left?
I come upon one of the young boys, walking now, although he starts running again for a bit in a last-ditch effort to save face when he sees me coming up. I find myself running alone now. I manage to catch up to the pack ahead. It’s all guys. Ok, ok geezers. It’s a little windy so I draft off of one of them for a bit then remember my new, more assertive race resolution and shake him at the turn.
Mile 5: 8:05
I hear the crowd at the finish now. Thank heavens! This was way harder than it should have been.
Other me: “What were you thinking to even attempt a 10k with so little training?”
Me: “It’s better to try and fail than never try at all. Plus I can count this as speedwork.”
I turn onto the final straightaway and see that the clock has already passed last year’s finish time.
Other me: “Oh now you’ve done it. You’ve cracked the door to being beaten!”
I pick it up as much as I can. Some old guy is coming with me. A race official yells “Good! Push each other!”
There’s one woman in front of me.
Me:”Oh she looks younger than I, I’ll just hang back here behind her.”
Other me: The hell you will, you PROMISED you’d race more aggressively. At least TRY!”
So I try and I pass her! She doesn’t even put up a fight. I cross the finish line and glance at the clock.
Other me: 50:41? Oh the door’s not cracked, it’s gaping open just waiting for someone to saunter in ahead of you.”
I head on into the shoot where, I’m embarrassed to say, as soon as I stop running I feel like I’m gonna hurl. Thank heavens I manage not to. I haven’t done that since my very first 5k many moons ago!
Final analysis: I was almost 2 minutes slower than last year, with a finish time of 50:41. It was good enough for a 3rd place age group finish. Hammy is very angry but it was worth it. I’ve gotta say I didn’t think I had an 8:07 pace 10k in me right now. Off now to find some frozen peas.
