What: Sun Run 10k for Life Directions
Where: Tucson, Arizona. Around Reid Park and Randolph Golf Course
THIS IS LONG!!
This year, my goal is to try to get to 70% age-grading time in the 5k,
10k, and marathon. I'm pretty sure I can reach that in the shorter
races, but the marathon will be the real challenge.
My old "real" PR in the 10K was 48:30. I had a 48:06, but I don't
consider that the real PR as the course was found to be short, and
we don't know by exactly how much. I'm 48 now, and have been racing
since early 2001, where my first 10k was run in just under 52 mins.
I've been trying to get faster, but then got PF in each of my feet,
which had me semi-injured for most of the last two and a half years!!
So this year, I want to get below 48:00, and if possible to 47:40 for
that WAVA age-grade of 70%.
Sunday was the first race of the new year, and the first race of the
local Grand Prix series. I was feeling decent, but told myself to
just be sure to run nice and relaxed to make sure nothing gets injured.
They had predicted icky weather, but the storm went mostly north of us
and it was sunny for the Sun Run, though a bit cold (mid-30's when we
arrived there). I knew though, that it would warm up fairly quickly
once the sun was up a ways.
Claude was going to run too, his first race since his knee surgery for
the torn meniscus. Of course, he told me he was going to go slowly and
listen to his body.
After getting there and saying hi to freinds, we jogged about to warm
up, and of course hit the potties. Then stretched, and got rid of the
sweats right before the race. Lined up, said hi and good luck to more
freinds. There was a false start, then we were off!
Both Claude and I nearly tripped over a very small kid at the start. I
felt sorry for him, but his folks really should have known to start him
off in the back rather than so far up!
I started out at a conservative pace. And did the usual paw-my-way
through the start crowd. Both the 5 and 10 k started together. At
Country Club we turned right, and went up the little "hill". It's a
pretty flat course but this is the largest slope on it. Just enough
to notice. I could see that Claude was ahead of me, good for him! He
can definately run faster than I can when his knee is OK. Then we went
right on Broadway, which has a teensy downhill to it. The Mile 1 sign
was approaching. I thought I was running about an 8:15. 7:45!! Great.
Now can I keep it up?
Right after that the 5 k people peeled off, and we kept going straight.
Onto the paved path around the tennis courts, and turn right at
Alvernon. This is also slightly downhill, but darn close to flat. At
the second mile mark I held my breath...7:46! Great. Can I keep it up?
Claude was now about 20 secs ahead of me running with a small pack of
guys. Somehow, there was a tangle and one of them went down! I gasped,
but he rolled and was up on his feet and running again. After a small
bit I caught up to him, and he said he was OK. I was trying not to
watch him run, as he ran with a very lopsided, uneven gait. I was
continually telling myself to relax my jaw, relax arms, shoulders,
smoooooth gait...
Then we turned right on 22nd St. Pretty much flat. I was telling myself
not to let my speed flag in the center of the 10k, like it usually does.
Here comes the Mile 3 sign...7:39! Excellent! How come I'm keeping
the pace so well today???
Up ahead is a shrimp of a kid, running really well. Geez, what a runner
he'll be someday! I am catching up to him, but wow. Claude and his pack
are still about 20 secs ahead. I tell myself to try to keep up with
them. And relax. ANd keep the breathing even and calm.
Turn right onto Country Club again. Back to slight uphill. Doing good,
but don't let the pace lag now! Mile Four sign is coming....7:31!!!!
I'm amazed. But don't let it slow you down, silly. Just keep going,
relaxed, breathe evenly....The PR is in the bag IF I can keep this up.
We pass the side road from the park where we'd started, then start
going "up" the hill, and again right onto Broadway. I'm starting to
get the tiniest starts of a sideache. Breathe VERY evenly, very deeply.
It starts easing, but is just enough there that I know it will hit if
I start to pant in the least. CONCENTRATE. RELAX. Mile 5 is approaching.
It's 7:47! Still decent, though obviously a bit slower.
Now we turn right into the park access road like the 5k's did last
loop. Quite a lot of onlookers here, good thing, I can use it now. We
turn right into a ritzy neighborhood, lovely pueblo-style houses and
xeriscaping. But the pavement is a little funky in places, caution. I
can feel now that I *am* starting to get a little fatigued, I'll have
to work to keep it up. We come out of the neighborhood and back onto the
starting access road, right at Mile 6. Watch says 7:47. So still doing
great.
I see freind Matt, he's taking pictures, so I start my sprint for him.
He's a *really* good runner and starts yelling tips - lift knees, drive
arms, etc. I really do dig in. But alas, I can't keep that pace up very
long, and actually slow a bit. But the last .2 miles was a 7:15!! I
cross the line and MISS seeing my time. Did I break 48??? From my splits
I must have. But it turns out I have to wait until today to see the
final results.
1- 7:45
2- 7:46
3- 7:39
4- 7:31
5- 7:47
6- 7:47
..2- 1:27
I DID IT!! I ran 47:48, a big PR!!! And I'm only, my god, 8 SECONDS from
my year's goal of 47:40 (70% age-grade). Claude kept ahead the whole
time and ran 47:31. His knee did great! The only trouble he had was a
case of nausea. We think he may have eaten something iffy the day before
as he felt bad the whole day. Methinks he'll be running a lot faster
soon! I didn't get any AG awards (darn). They had them in 10-year groups
for this race and there were 4 45-year-old whippersnappers ahead of me!
(And one 40-year old). BUT I'm all grins, I still can't believe I did so
well. And that darn PF isn't bothering me at all, maybe I can say I've
finally gotten over it. I'm all charged up for the next race already!
Teresa in AZ