I ran this race last year too. It was the last race before a string of multiple injuries including plantar fasciitis and a stress fracture. It was also the race I met Liz. This year I was looking forward to finishing the race injury free. (Spoiler: I finished slower than last year but injury free)
Since last year I moved across the state. This year the race was actually further away. I got to the race around 7:45 and to my surprise I saw a lot of my coworkers! I knew two of them were running but it was an exciting surprise to see more of my friends. We all warmed up together and made it to the starting line just in time.
The 5k and 10k started together. We didn’t know who was running which race but it was nice to have a lot of people together. I ran side by side with both Liz and Chris for about a mile. They later turned to run the 5k.
The first mile went by quickly since there were so many people. I ran a 6:25. I wasn’t overly happy with it but I wasn’t upset either. I was indifferent.
The 5kers turned around halfway into the second mile. I saw my coworker, and founder of Team Tindall, who ended up winning overall female in the 5k. After the 5kers turned around, I found myself as first woman in the 10k. I stayed there the rest of race. It became a lonely race and I ran the next 5 miles almost all by myself. There were several men in front of me and several behind me. There was no one within 20 seconds of me. The second mile was my fastest and I ran a 6:18.
During the third mile, we turned into a very wooded section. If you have ever taken a race out too quickly and paid the price, then you will be able to relate to how this race went. I ran my third mile in 6:36 but I knew I was in trouble.
I crossed the halfway point in 19:55. I was happy that I broke 20 minutes but I knew the last three miles were not going to be enjoyable.
The third and fourth miles went by very slowly. I ran the third mile in 6:56 and the fourth mile in 6:53. There wasn’t anything too exciting about them. In fact they were both rather painful and I regretted taking the race out so quickly.
The fifth mile headed back on the main road. One thing I distinctly remember about this portion of the race last year was the volunteers not being on the same page. This year they were not on the same page either. Some volunteers yelled at me to be on the sidewalk and others instructed I was to be on the street. It got really confusing and I was getting opposite directions every volunteer! Ultimately I ran on the sidewalk because I am a safe runner.
The last half-mile headed onto a grassy field and finished on the track. I finished the sixth mile in 6:43 and sprinted as hard as I could around the track. The last .2 felt like it took forever. Everyone was congregated around the track as we finished. It was nice to see Liz and Chris since they had finished their race. Chris got some good shots of me finishing as well.
I finished in 41:21 and first female overall. I had to work directly after the race so I wasn’t able to stay after finishing.
Post race thoughts:
It’s 21 seconds slower than last year but I finished injury free. Last year my plantar fascia had a big flair up. I’m happy with the race but it was a painful second half. My speed is coming back slow and steady. I’m not overly happy with the race but I will take an injury free race over a faster and injured one.
Questions for you:
Have you ever taken a race out to fast?
Do you like the 10k distance?
Congrats on your finish & it being first!!! So speedy! My first marathon I went out toooo fast and paid the price by mile 17. I do like the 10k distance and want to start racing more of them. Happy Tuesday!
Omph, to do that in a marathon I can only imagine. Congrats on finishing that though!
Congrats on 1st female!! I feel like 10ks are easy to go out too fast with since mentally I think of it as a “short” race so there’s that urge to go to fast, and yes I’ve paid the price in those last 2 miles!
I always have a tough time pacing 10k’s as well. I should probably add some into my rotation since I’ve never been happy with them. I think I always rrun them too slow, then I finish and I could keep running. Congrats on first female! Also, big congrats on finishing injury-free!!
Your pictures are once again awesome. Congrats on an injury-free race! That’s always the biggest accomplishment in my book 🙂
I agree, even though it wasn’t a great race I’ll always take an injury free race!
Just excited for you to be running well, makes us very happy!
Great job Hollie! I love the 10k distance..but it’s really hard to pace! I’ve started out so many races too fast, and it sucks to have to pay the price. Love the race pics..you always get the best ones!
Awesome job and I love those shoes 🙂
I don’t mind the 10K distance but I’m certainly not good at it. Statistically “on paper” I should be able to break 40 minutes but I just can’t. I haven’t done enough speed work and strength training. Rather, I just do a lot of longer, slower mileage. Nice job at the race and congrats on the win!
Congratulations on your win and hooray for being around so many friends at a race :).
I start pretty much every 5K too fast. It’s really hard not to in a 5K. I am much better at running 10Ks evenly paced and more conservative and usually don’t go out too fast in those (I won’t say I’m “better” at 10Ks just that I don’t blow up as bad). You ran a great time and it was good you were able to do it injury free. I agree that finishing faster and then winding up injured down the road is not worth it.
Fly and die… that’s how I do haha. I am absolutely horrible with pacing, especially on shorter races. Congrats on sticking it out, and a strong last mile! PS the picture of you finishing… can you please tell me how to not look like I’m dying in every one of my race photos ever!?! K thanks : )
Legs for days. That’s what I always notice when I see your race photos! Well, that and your gazelle stride. You look every bit the winner you obviously are: I would be so intimidated if I was ever on a start line with you.
I used to love 10Ks, but truly racing them took a huge amount out of me…I actually moved up the distances in 2010 because I couldn’t face the pain of the 10K any more! I do wish I had toughed it out at least long enough to get a sub-40 though, because I sure as heck don’t have any chance of getting one now!
Wow!! You are so inspiring! Great job girl!! 🙂
Congratulations on being first female! I would just focus on the fact you broke 20 on the 5k instead of being down about the last couple of miles. You’ve been struggling with speed on the 5k after all of the injuries, so that time is a major plus to your training! Your hard work IS paying off!
The Firecracker race is only a few miles from my house. I actually have to work on July 4th but it will still be fun I think.
It was fun to run some of the race with you! I agree that finishing a race healthy and strong is the most important thing. Although breaking a 20 5K along a 10K course is pretty awesome. 🙂
Races with friends/coworkers are so much fun! … except when people have to work right after. :-/ Way to finish strong and injury-free!
great job! it’s nice to be able to race with friends and colleagues 🙂
Congrats on another great race.!! I think the 5k and 10k starting out at the same time might have contributed to your too fast start. It would have happened to me.! but you still finished incredibly well.!
I’ve actually never ran a 10k before. This Saturday will be my first one.!
Congrats on the win! I am too building my speed very slowly. I have needed to take a two days of running and then one day off strategy for now. I can still feel my hip after two days of training. I have taken races out too fast and end up in a pile of tears and heavy breathing. Not my proudest moment. I have run a few trail 10ks and they are really fun. If I break an hour, that’s a good race.
Have I ever taken a race out too fast? Almost every 5k ever! I’m terrible at pacing for short distances. I really need to work on it. Congrats on 1st overall female even if you weren’t thrilled by it.