The race started at 8:30. I finally forced myself out of bed at 7:40. Edit: This is what it looks like when you wake up 30 minutes before you line up for a race, and drink for hours the day before: ie not pretty. I need to get me some eye cream or something :)
Had a champion's breakfast of frosted-gingerbread and OJ, to top off an already unhappy stomach (see below).
Didn't wear my watch. Haven't been at all keeping track of pace on any runs lately, just trying to get the miles in and injuries away. The start seemed a bit more crowded than usual, wasn't really even able to run across the start mat.
First mile came in well under 8 minutes, which for me is usually the roughest part of a 10k this direction in Central Park (North Hills). At that moment, I had a fleeting vision of a PR- then my stomach remembered what I had consumed in the last 24 hours, and my hip reminded me that I have done NO LT, tempo, or speedwork in months. So I was happy to settle into a comfortably-hard pace, enough to work up a sweat, but not pushing the breathing too hard.
I have no idea how long it took me to cross the line, and they haven't put the results online yet. I am going to estimate I just missed sub-50, with a small water walk break. I am VERY satisfied with this, all things considered.
**Edit: Official time, 51:19 (8:16 pace). About :30 seconds per mile slower than the same race last year- but I'm OK with that.
I'm impressed with your ability to run that fast with all that in your belly. The hangover I could probably do, but I'd be shitting my pants the whole race hahah.
ReplyDeleteGood work!