AM: Race for Hope 10k
I've wanted to do this race for the last two years but it never worked out. This year I realized it was certified, and for $25 I couldn't pass it up. I knew a young guy had won it with times that were around my half marathon PR, so I figured I see what the day brought. If his pattern of improving 8 seconds per mile per year continued he would run about 5:48, which I am not in shape to run on a hilly course. Weather was an unusual 50 degrees, so I figured I needed a hard effort because I won't get many more days like this.
Warmed up 3.5 and did some strides. I started around 4th or 5th thinking I was going to have to work, but by the bottom of the hill (~1 mile in) I passed the 4th place guy and he stopped for water (he's done). Young Skinny, the leader, was still pulling away and I had two guys to burn holes in for a while between me and him. Around mile 3 or so I passed the 3rd place guy and started to work on the 2nd place guy. He was running bad tangents so I worked them a bit to close the gap (we were told to stay on the side of the road but with no traffic and him in front of me making errors I seized the opportunity). I was a few strides behind him going back up the big hill and I had to decide when to break him (Young Skinny was cresting the hill as we were approaching it. No chance to catch him). I ran with the second place guy stride for stride on opposite sides of the hill (me being on the correct side, given the impending right-hand turn). I listened to his breathing and he was sucking air (I was decently tired). I waited until the false crest in the hill (like a stepup in BMX or MotoX) at ~4.5 miles and started to pull away. Once I got to the top I kept turning and picked it up to 5:30 for a stretch to seal my gap. A quick look at the right-hand turn and I saw I had enough room if I maintained 6:00 pace. The volunteer gave me a "about 40 yards" measurement, which was nice but I can't think in yards.
I was worried on this last section because I didn't go over it yesterday but the volunteers were awesome. I had to ask which way a few times but they were also directing 5kers coming from another direction. One young woman gave me the direction well before the intersection, which was really nice. You don't get that from disgruntled police officers. Maybe could have pushed harder in the last ~1.5 miles.
Young Skinny ran 36:19. Couldn't have caught him today, but maybe I should have tried to keep the gap closed earlier in the race to at least have run a few seconds faster. Good, early training block 10k. I want to be under 35 minutes in 7 weeks for Beach to Beacon, but my unstated goal is to beat the Maine women. I guess it's now my "stated goal."
3.5 down
The rich, chocolatey goodness: 5:53, 6:10, 6:19, 5:55, 6:27, 6:02, 1:15 (5:09 pace)
PM: Rest Haven Cemetery - 4 miles, averaged 8:32. 75 and sunny. Slight breeze and 30% humity! Rare weather in this part of the woods.
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