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RexRacer
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Joined: 17 Aug 2004
Posts: 814
Location: A pancake house of ineffable crappiness
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 Posted: 04/08/05 - 14:22 Post subject: Race for Independence 10K
OK, OK, so this race was last Sunday, so I'm a bit late in posting. But still, I'm managing to keep my one last New Years resolution in tact, so here goes:
I was far more concerned about the weather than the 6.2 miles the day before this race, since it had been seriously dumping rain on the Philly area and it was not at all clear if the skies would be happy come race time. Still, there was alot of meaning in this particular course and distance for me because it represented my first visit back to West River Drive at a 10K distance since the Rocky Run last October, which I look at as my first serious attempt at racing.
Luckily the weather pretty much cooperated, although it was far colder on the river than it was at my home (surprise!). Still, I think I was better off shivering pre-race and running with an acceptable level of clothing, and at least the throw away ponchos stayed in the car.
Chatted with El Kid and PhillySue from CR before we went off (Kudos to PS for blowing my doors off--vanity prevents me for telling you at what point I was when she passed me on the return of this out-and-back course, but I will cling to being a relative newbie!).
Horn sounded and I was off to a good start. Approached the mile 1 marker and looked at my watch. . . YIKES, 7.49!! Way too fast for the likes of me to sustain over the next 5.2, managed to slow down and come in at 8:04 for mile one, Still quick for me, but hey, it was a race! Next few miles went great, running evenly and feeling good, pacing all the way with 'The Ironman Couple' in their matching gear. I was determined to beat them to the chute and we spent a good chunk of the run keeping each other in our sights and trading positions.
Then, once again, I was hit by the same under sternum cramping that I had in my last race about .2 shy of the six mile marker. Again, it slowed me down to a near crawl, and while I didn't completely stop, I had to watch my pace couple zip in front of me. Damn!!!
But again, the cramping stopped as quickly as it had started and I had enough gas left to finish strong with a time of 56:55. It was a course and distance PR of 3:27 seconds better than my first 10K attempt of seven months earlier.
It made me think how pleased I am that I've committed to doing something healthy in my life, given all of the ill-health I racked up in my previous lives. And it also made me think of how grateful I am to the people in my life who have encouraged me and challenged me to make such a significant and positive change. Profound thanks to you.
Next up the Broad Street Run on May 1st. Hope to see some Philly contingent there!!
Time: 56:55 (8:04; 9:15; 9:10; 9:30; 9:06; 9:57; 1:49)
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TOsteve
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Joined: 08 Dec 2004
Posts: 1468
Location: Out for a run
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Posted: 04/08/05 - 14:36 Post subject:
Nice PR Rex! Liked the report too.
They say starting fast is a common rookie mistake - which, I guess, puts me in the category of common rookie. As much as I try, I find it almost impossible to resist the starting line surge.
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congrats on the PR.
