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Sunday, October 22, 2006
10K Awesome Alpharetta Race Report
Run Time: 57:18
Total Miles to Date: 65.2
Thoughts on the Run:
The alarm clock sounded at 4:00am, but I was already awake. Despite going to bed early (around 9:00pm last night) I was still very excited and did not sleep much. However, I did rest and relax so I felt great when I woke up.
I stumbled into the bathroom where I had my clothes waiting and threw on my shorts, then pulled the running pants over them, with a loose t-shirt that had my bib on it and then a pull-over. I grabbed my bag that contained another pair of shoes, clean socks, and a clean shirt.
Downstairs, breakfast was a shot of cuban coffee and a chocolate shake with some healthy fats mixed in. It was 12 ounces of water so that would be my hydration as well.
The drive was uneventful - there was barely anyone out at 4:30am and I made good time, arriving at the start line around 5:15am.
It was 51 degree and pouring rain. I parked the car and carried my bag about 3/4 mile from the parking lot to the start line. I checked in and received my race chip. The temperature was great, the rain was not fun. I asked the woman at check-in where the bag drop would be, and with a puzzled expression she replied, "Bag drop? I don't think we're doing that." So, I shed my pull-over (my shirt would get soaked on the run anyway) and headed back to the car, dropped my bag off, and walked back. I shuddered to think of what it would be like at the finish, wet and cold, with no dry clothes. Just then the announcer for the event came on the loudspeaker. "The big white truck over there is where you can drop your bags for pickup at the finish line."
As I wandered back to my car, I was thinking that this is a great way to warm up, walking back and forth. No worries. So I grabbed my bag, stuffed my pull-over in it, and dropped it in the truck.
The local middle school band played the Star Spangled Banner and then there was the countdown for the half marathon. The horn sounded and the runners were off. We applauded and saw them on their way, then strode over half a block to the 10K start. I was right at front, but there was a small field - 156 people I found out later. We were all soaking wet and ready to get this run going. It did not take long before another horn sounded, and we were off around 6:35 AM in the dark rain.
I started with an aggressive pace and realized that I was subconsciously racing someone who was a lot faster than I am. I forced myself to slow down and settle into something aggressive for me, but not so crazy that I would burn myself out. The first few miles were almost entirely downhill so we made good time. The rain was steady, however, so my shirt quickly became a lead weight and my shoes were like cold, saturated clubs pounding on the pavement. At around mile 3 we started going uphill. I decided to stick with my strategy: conservative on the uphill so I don't burn out, then put the burners on downhill.
It was interesting because two women who were fabulous runners had a very consistent pace both up and down the hills. They would charge past me on the uphill as I plodded with my conservative pace, then I would charge past them on the downhill as I "opened up." There was quite a bit of up and down but I held on and realized this would be another race that I did not walk (all of my previous races, prior to the 5K I ran earlier this year, involved walking ... I'm getting more consistent now).
Mile 4 moved by and I was really feeling the rain, the cool weather, and the uphill. It seemed like the uphill just wouldn't quit ... and then I crested the hill and saw a beautiful site: the sign that read "5 miles." We were close, and there was a mammoth downhill space. I quickly kicked into gear and opened my stride. I passed quite a few people and ended up neck-and-neck with a woman who had a very aggressive pace. There was a distinct difference as we ran near each other in the dark, rainy morning: she was plodding along, the only sound her footfalls, while I was pounding and breathing heavy. I wondered if my breathing was distracting her in any way, but hey, I was in this to do my best and that meant sucking some air.
The mile seemed to last forever ... and ever ... and ever ... and then suddenly went uphill. I was thinking, "I don't have much more left in me" as we climbed up, but then I saw the huge "6" and knew there was only 0.2 left. So, I sucked it up and kicked in and around the bend, there was the finish. I was puzzled, however, because I felt I was running a fantastic run ... but the clock said 1:02. It seemed slower than how I felt, but still a good time. My chip chirped as I crossed the mat, I high-fived a few people and then picked up my medal for finishing.
I jogged a bit too cool down then went to the post-event tents to get a granola bar and some Cytomax. I got my clothes and switched to something dry (dry shirt and dry shoes, anyway) and realized that despite this change, I was still getting soaked. It was 7:30 and the awards ceremony would not be until 10:30, so I decided I wouldn't be waiting this one out. I caught the shuttle to my car and drove home, happy to have finished the race.
I felt remarkably well and was recovering fast. My wife and daughter greeted me at the house and then we had a nice breakfast of corned beef hash and toast. I was eager to see the race results. I jumped online and found some encouraging news: the race clock was timed for the half marathon, which started 5 minutes before the 10K ... so my time was faster than I had thought.
Eventually, the race results went up. I scrolled through ... and cheered.
In a field of 153, I was 36th place overall, running on the hills and in the cool rain at a 9:14 pace to finish at 57:18. This also put me as 2nd place in my age bracket of 30-34, although I didn't stick around to receive the reward.
A very successful 10K and I beat my goal pace. Now I'm recovering and waiting to see my daughter at her Brownie induction ceremony. I'm looking forward to a hot bath and some rest, then focusing on the half marathon in November!
Jeremy Likness
posted by Jeremy Likness | 11:32 AM
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