10K
This morning was another NYRR race, a 10K. Again, like last Saturday, I had given serious consideration to taking it easy and just going for a fun run. Then, as I started thinking about it more, I decided, once again to go for it. I actually did have a reason besides just competitiveness and not-knowing-how-to-take-it-easy-ness. The registration for the 2007 Cherry Blossom 10-miler in Washington, DC open tomorrow and, in reading through the materials, I noticed that they place runners in starting bins based on projected times. It indicated that recent 10 mile or 10K races are acceptable proof of anticipated time. I have some strong 5 mile races, half-marathons and the marathon, of course, but no 10K’s. I’m sure I could use one of the other races, but I decided that I may as well take advantage of the schedule and the nice weather and try get a good time today. What I didn’t anticipate was just how tired my legs would be from yesterday’s workouts. As I described to Ron after the race, sometimes when I’m running it feels like I’m just gliding along, then there are runs like today when my feet and legs are heavy and every step feels like an effort. My time was still great (sub-7 minute pace), but there was a lot more willpower in there than normal. My pace was almost 20 seconds per mile slower than last week’s five mile race. The extra 1.2 makes some difference, and this race was really crowded at the start, so my first mile was pretty slow (approximate splits are below), but those factors don’t account for 20 seconds per mile. Understandably, that’s what happens when you do two pretty hard workouts the day before a race – and why most people don’t do stupid stuff like that!
Run – December 10
Distance: 10K
Time: 42:56
Average heart rate: 163
Course: Central Park – 1 loop
Conditions: Sunny, cold, some wind
Splits:
Mile 1: 7:30
2: 6:52
3: 6:43
4: 6:55
5: 6:45
6: 6:51
Total: 42:56