Race Report! A PR for pokey me!

Saturday I picked up my race packet for the Pike's Peek 10k. This is an annual race in Rockville, MD that runs down Rockville Pike. Rockville Pike is a road of many names that actually starts as Wisconsin Ave in Washington, DC and then changes names as it continues on up into Frederick, MD. It is a road that you generally don't want to drive on due to traffic and lights, but is nearly unavoidable. I have never run this race before.

After my packet pick up I decided to get a pedicure. I know you are saying, "So what! Why do you wish to subject us to your toes?" Notice polish color. Look at top photo on race day. Hmmmm I had selected a polish color that matched what I ended up wearing on race day. I did not do this on purpose. It just happened! My shirt and jacket matched even though I did not purchase those items at the same time. I guess I just like this color. Mulberry - Not too red,not too purple.

Okay enough about that randomness. It was pouring down rain when I left my house, but by the time I parked and got to the start it had stopped. I didn't rain again the whole race. We got lucky! The temperature was absolutely perfect for a run. I ran into a few people that I know at the race start. Got into the start area for general pace that I thought I would run. My plan for this race was to run steady and finish strong. My last 10k I was not finishing strong. I didn't even look at what my last 10k time was before this race. I wanted to run based on how my body felt rather than worry about a time. So the waves started and we were off. It didn't take me long to settle into a stride that felt good. I had my heart rate monitor on, so I checked in on my heart rate periodically. I wanted to keep it steady as a I ran. This course is technically all downhill, but it does have rollers in it as it descends. So other than the wee hill climbs I kept my heart rate steady. I felt good. I walked through the water stops mainly to avoid people and cups on already wet pavement. At the 3 mile mark, I had my gel and kept on moving. When I got to 4 miles I picked up the pace a little bit. When I past the 5 mile marker and saw the clock was still under 1 hour, I knew I was doing pretty good for my normal sloth pace. The last bit of the run is truly down hill. I did pick it up a bit more there, but I have some lingering knee issues from ages ago injury and surgery that hinders me letting it all go on a downhill. I respect my knees. I need them! Then I finished! I felt good. I am very happy with my run! No bling for this race. They give you a shirt. This year's is UGLY. This morning I feel pretty good. Not too sore anywhere. My right shin is a tad tender. I think I am due for new shoes, shin pain is my usual indicator.

My finish time 1:04:42 (10:25/mile) a FULL 9 minutes! (i originally wrote seconds) faster than my Turkey Trot 10k time (1:13:42) - what's with the 42 seconds! I would like to break the hour mark for a 10k. Now, what would be totally sweet is to run the 10k of my June 20 triathlon at this pace - after having done the bike and swim. We'll see how that goes.

Next up more cycling! I want the weather to hold out this week. I have the VeloBella monthly ride Tuesday. I want to hit the normal Thursday bike shop ride since I haven't been able to ALL MONTH! And there is a bike race is on Sunday. Of course I will try to throw in a run or two and at least 1 swim this week.