10 for Texas Race Report

I don't really think my training has been going that well, and I think I've got plantar fasciitis in my right foot, so I really really didn't know what to expect from this race. I was hoping for a PR - my 10 mile PR is 1:39:48 from USA Space City 10 miler last year, but I really wasn't sure I could pull it off. To top it off, I didn't really feel like I was racing. I didn't get super nervous, Preston wasn't coming with me... I just really didn't know what to expect.

Last night I finally decided my strategy was, since this was a 'C' race for me, was just go go out relatively hard (defined as sub-10's), hold it for as long as possible, and if I had anything left after 7, to kick it to the end. I wanted to talk only aid stations.

The weather this week has been miserable. I'm talking 80 degree temps with 90% humidity at 4am. All week. It has truly sucked. But the weatherman promised a cool front yesterday, and he freaking delivered! It got down into the upper 50's last night! So this run was literally going to be over 20 degrees cooler than my last run!

This did present me with a bit of a dilemma. I had set out my standard black shorts, black sleeveless running top ensemble for this race, but I was a bit worried about being cold. I was temped to run in my capri running tights for a little extra warmth, but also for chafe-protection and the nifty zipper pocket that could hold my gel. I decided to go for the capris, again on the justification that this race isn't really that important to me, so if I blow up, no biggie. Also, if it worked out, I'd know for the rest of the season, and that reason, if any, was good enough for me. After that, I did a totally girlie thing. I got those tights on and was displeased with my black sleeveless top because it wasn't quite long enough. I felt like my ass was displayed for the entire world to see in those tights. So, I decided to run in my Woodlands Fit tech tee from last year. The only time I've run in it before, I disliked it. I felt like it didn't let my body heat escape as well as my other technical clothing. This morning I thought that might be an advantage.

So, after all that, off I went.

Got there and parked with about 45 minutes to go, and headed for a restroom. Porta-john lines were long, and I wasn't about to use that when I knew that the Market Street flush toilets would be open. This was almost a mistake. I got in line at 6:58, and it was only maybe 20 people long. I finally got in at 7:25 with only 5 minutes left to the start! Women need to hurry the hell up in the restroom, and Market Street employees need to wait until after the 7:30 start to clean the thing. That's all I have to say about that.

With all that I was a little frazzled getting into the corral, and still completely uncertain as to what to expect.

The gun went off, and off we went.

I was cold. My muscles were cold. I just kept moving, knowing that I'd warm up after a mile or so. I picked a good line-up point, as I was passing about as much as I was being passed. Was super-annoyed at the 2 walkers that I had to skirt - seriously, start at the back if you are a walker! At almost exactly 1.25 miles, I got warm, and started feeling really pretty decent. My right knee has a giant bruise that I felt tweak a couple of times, but I didn't hear from my gimpy right foot at all. Before I knew it, I was up to the first aid station.

I've gotta address the aid stations. The first 2, specifically. There was no gatorade at all at the first one, and the water wasn't coming fast enough. At the second, there was gatorade, but nothing was coming fast enough, so after standing around for almost a minute (!), I finally grabbed a cup of water and kept going, though I really felt I needed Gatorade.

Mentally I was doing really well. I decided to mark my progress with respect to the aid stations. Every aid station represented a walk break, and the race could be 5 2 mile races.

At mile 5 they had a timer for us to cross. By my Garmin, I was 50 minutes and some seconds in. I was a little disappointed in that. I felt like I should have been sub-50. But I was still feeling good, so I was still hoping for the PR, though that meant I'd have to negative split the race to do it. (Something I don't think I've ever managed to do.)

At the 3rd aid station I took a gel, with yet more water. I still felt really good.

At mile 7, I looked down and realized I was 7 miles in and couldn't believe that I still felt so good. I mean, no pain. None at all. And still running strong 9:30's. This was the point where I said I'd kick it if I had anything left. I did have some left, so I started trying to run just a hint stronger.

Mile 7.5 was where the first bit of pain started. Right leg and butt. Nothing unmanageable, and certainly not unexpected. I just hoped it wouldn't slow me down!

Mile 8 aid station I finally got some gatorade!! I walked a bit farther than I had before, then really set out to kick it to the end. Only 2 miles to go. I looked at my Garmin and knew that I had a PR. I was at 1:08. Even if I slowed to 10 minute miles, I'd PR. This thrilled me. I sped up.

Mile 9, and we were hitting that bitch bridge that goes over Lake Woodlands. I was determined to run up it. It would NOT slow me down.

There was a surprise aid station on that bridge, so I grabbed another quick cup of gatorade with a quick walk to drink it, and then ran the rest of the way up that bitch.

Less than a mile, less than a mile, faster, faster, and I finally saw Market Street. People were lining the last bit, yelling that there were only 100 yards left (you still couldn't see the finish line here) and to kick it. I turned it on. I mean, really kicked it. I was passing people right and left! I could not believe that I was actually kicking it to the finish of a 10 miler. With a new PR. And not feeling like shit. It was fucking awesome. Totally rocked. Even the gun time was a PR for me.

I still don't have the official times, but here it is, according to Garmin:

Mile 1: 9:54

Mile 2: 9:37 (aid station)

Mile 3: 9:36

Mile 4: 9:36

Mile 5: 9:56 (aid station)

Mile 6: 9:27

Mile 7: 9:41 (aid station)

Mile 8: 9:21 (!!!!)

Mile 9: 9:31 (aid station)

Mile 10: 9:20 (aid station) (!!!!!)

Last little bit: :30

Total: 1:36:33

That's a 3 minute, 15 second PR at the distance. And something like a 3 minute negative split.

Seriously! Best. Long. Race. EVAR!!!