Last Sunday, I ran the BAA 10k. I had registered weeks before and was unsure if I would actually be able to run it, it wasn't until Saturday that I actually decided I would. I was feeling good but just had to get over the fact it wouldn't be my best race since I had only run 30 miles since May 1st. I went into it knowing it would be a good gauge of where my current fitness was no matter how depressing it may be. I was super excited to go into Boston and support the BAA in the first race after the marathon.
I met up with a nice group of girls around 6:30 to head into Boston. We were in Boston by 7:00 and just chilled out on the Common while we waited. The BAA had requested runners wear Blue and Yellow and it certainly was a sea of Blue and Yellow that morning.
We got settled into our corral easily, I placed myself in the 8:00-8:59 seed with the hope I could maintain that pace throughout the race. My heartrate was already rising waiting to start, I wish I could calm my nerves prior to race starts to avoid the elevated heartrate at the start.
Mile 1 - 8.21 pace
Mile 2 - 8:22 pace
Must work on my form! |
Mile 3 - 9:11
Mile 4 - 9:10
It started to get hard here and I was really just hoping to maintain my pace for the final 2 miles. I wish I could say I held on for the last stretch but my pace slowed. I was giving it my all but I was mentally giving up and telling myself it was OK to slow down.
If I close my eyes I know I can run faster! |
Mile 5 - 9:24
Mile 6 - 9:31 (OUCH)
last .2 - stepped it up a notch to an 8:37 min pace
Final stretch! |
So happy to be done! |
Official Finish Time : 57:15
After the race I waited for the others to finish up, several who completed there 1st 10K. We celebrated with Champagne. I was back home and in my pool by 10:30.
I am so glad I decided to run and I'm happy with my results. The fact that I had been sidelined from running for 6 months and I had only run a few miles a week leading up to the race,I think I ran a good race. I'm trying not to dwell on the fact that my marathon pace at Philly last November was faster than my overall pace for the 10K on Sunday. I will get there with time and patience but can't say it doesn't bother me a bit to see such a decline in my running fitness.