Passing the first test
This weekend I ran the Old Fashioned 10 Miler in Foxboro, MA. I was excited for 2 reasons. 1) It was nice to change the scenery of my weekly long run and not worry about traffic or water support. All was taken care of for me. 2) This race would be a good test of where I am in my training.
My plan was to run the race at a 7:40 pace or better. Slightly intimidating, as my best 5 miler was previously at about 7:39 pace. But that was my first test – believing in myself and staying confident throughout the race that this was a reachable goal. If it was easy, I wouldn’t be racing, I’d just be out for a jog.
The race was well organized with good runner support and a nice course of rolling hills. I had run this race a few years back and was curious how “Chrissy in 2011”, repaired hip and all, would fare compared to a few years back. My previous time at this race had been 1:22 and change, about an 8:15 pace.
After a comfortable 2.5 mile warm-up with teammate Brian, we got the the starting line and I was excited. Weird, because I’m usually quite nervous at the start of a race. The gun went off and the crowd started moving. Only then did I realize how far back I was, as it took me a good half mile to break through the rows of runners in front of me.
After a too-fast-to-sustain-Mile 2, I fell into a comfortable pace. Each mile I just tried to replicate the effort, and take it one mile at a time. As the miles ticked by, I was still averaging my goal pace. A few seconds faster on some miles, a few seconds slower on others, but still hovering around 7:40.
Now, usually when I get towards the end of the race, I tend to lose focus. Rather than push for my goal, convince myself I will be satisfied with the effort thus far, and whatever happens will be fine. But yesterday I decided that wasn’t good enough. I was not going to settle for OK at miles 9 and 10. And I didn’t. I picked up the pace at mile 9 and then turned it up again at mile 10, running my second fastest mile of the race to the finish.
1:16:40. 7:40 pace. New PR.
The PR was great and hitting my goal pace was awesome. 7:40 for 10 miles from the girl who ran a 12 minute mile in elementary school (and was sick with anticipation the night before!). But the thing I am most proud of is hanging on during the last 2 miles – having confidence and pushing past the tired legs that wanted to slow down.
This was just the first test though. My eye is on the real prize and I’ll have to wait and see how this will all translate at miles 24, 25, and 26 on April 18th.
Nice work Chrissy!!
That’s my girl!