Yes, I’m a week late on this one!

The day after a fast, fun 10-miler, I had a 10K on the schedule.  This was technically the goal race from all of my hill and speed training with the running team, but I didn’t care all that much. That 10-mile PR the previous day meant a lot more to me!

This is a much more low-key race put on by my running club, so no chip. Since it’s one of our championship series races, all of the fast people come out. I placed myself somewhere in the middle. I started my Garmin when they said “go,” but there was already 25 seconds on the clock by the time I crossed the start line.

It was another warm day,  I still wasn’t sure where my legs would take me. Was this going to be a fun run or would I try to PR?

As I passed the start line and rounded the first corner, I assumed I was taking the “fun run” route. It felt like I was going pretty slow. But then I looked at my watch and saw my current pace starting with an eight. OK, legs, let’s see what you can do!

I knew I needed to run below nine-minute miles to meet my 55-minute goal. Last year I barely made it (55:57)!

1. 8:46
2. 8:52
3. 8:53
4. 8:47
5. 9:01
6. 8:48
.23 1:50 (8:00 pace)

I was definitely getting tired, as you can see by my mile-five slow down! Actually I think that was a water stop, where I grabbed some water to dump on my neck. But I pulled it back up for that last mile!

As I passed the mile-six marker, I knew I could PR and beat last year’s time. And as I got closer to the finish line, I saw that I might even be able to come in under 55 minutes. I turned on some jets I didn’t know I had and raced the clock for the last 20 or so feet. 54:57 — exactly one minute faster than last year*!

Garmin owners — you know how it gives you your best pace? In that final push, I hit 5:58. I’m sure it wasn’t for long, but I’m sure I’ve never seen those numbers before!

Garmin: 54:57 — 6.23 miles — 8:50 average
Official : 54:57 — 6.2 miles — 8:51 average
223 /488  overall

* The course was a little different this year, and I think it was actually a bit easier  (less hills!) … but I’ll take it!