How does one of your slowest 10K races also become your new personal best?
This past weekend I ran in a LIVE race which hasn’t happened since 2020. My coach suggested I have fun and enjoy myself by running my slowest 10K ever. Unintentionally I did run one of my slowest 10K races but it turns out it is also a new personal best. Hmmmm…say what…?
First off, race pace hurts but this one hurt like hell. I made TWO very big mistakes which made the race way more difficult. Don’t do what I did:
- I went out to fast…My first mile was way too fast. I set my watch to power not pace and unfortunately my stryd meter didn’t connect at the start which means I was running at a power that was higher than I had planned. My watch beeped at mile one and I glanced down to look at my pace ~ 8:18. Yikes. I backed off and decided to run by feel.
- I also under estimated the wind…Throughout the race, the wind kept picking up and by the time we turned around at mile 3.1 we had gusts up to 25 mph or more. By mile 4 my pace significantly dropped and it got real HARD. I knew I was in trouble and it was obvious my fast 1st mile didn’t help matters any.
The wind was in my face now and it was gusting to the point where at times I felt like I wasn’t moving forward but backwards. OK…that may be a bit of a exageration but it was soooooo GUSTY.
Yes I have had a lot of windy runs this spring. It’s spring after all. But no matter how many runs you run in the wind, racing in the wind is still HARD.
PERSONAL BEST?
If you read my last post on my count-down to 60, you probably guessed how running a slower 10K can be a personal best. Or maybe not if you don’t run. Since I ran this race on my 60th birthday I am now in a new age bracket. So congratulations to me! A new personal best in my new age bracket 😂
And a BIG congrats so my brother who ran the 5K in crushed it in spite of the running his last mile into the wind. When I lined up at the start I was kind of thinking a 5K would be plenty on a day like today. You can pick your race, but you can’t pick what mother nature will throw at you on the day.
My favorite thing to do after a race is to hit up a cafe for a good cup of joe and and brunch. Before brunch however we met up with my other brother and sister-in-law at the Falls Farmer’s Market. It was such fun except it was COLD and WINDY. OK….I’ll stop talking about the wind. But seriously, I about blew away.
After the market we headed back downtown Sioux Falls to finally grab something to eat. It was incredibly busy but for good reason. The race drew 5000 people running for in memory for loved ones who have been affected by cancer.
It was a good morning! Even better after coffee and brunch!
After brunch we headed over to my nephews to celebrate some more. Their kiddos helped make a sign for my birthday and of course my mom made her famous angel food cake. As you can see, I felt everyone’s love. I am so blessed!
What a great start to a birthday weekend! Part two coming…but here’s a sneak peak❤️
What is your favorite race distance?
What’s harder….running in the wind or running hills?
What’s your favorite post race meal?
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