I survived my first 10K

My first 10K race was the New Balance Power Race last 11 Nov 07. I woke up amped and pumped… as my friend said it seemed like we were training for this event forever and finally its here then its over. I ran with friends and friends of friends. We did not muscle our way in at the front of the pack, might consider doing that next time.

We started at a comfortable pace of 7:30 min/km even falling back to 8:00min/km on the first hill. I was bringing up the rear following the pace of my friends… catching up when they get too far ahead. Since it was a well attended race, finding gaps between runners was pretty exciting.  Note to self, dont look back and run, chances are you will trip. I almost did.

I created a great playlist for the run and enjoyed every minute of it. I underestimated myself a bit and finished the race before my victory song, We Are the Champions.

2Km in and we had just gone around the parade grounds and can still see the starting line. 10K  seems sooo far far away. I decided to run conservatively, afterall my main goal was to finish. and so i stuck to my usual long run pace. After leaving the parade grounds it was the start of the downhill. Ive decided to make up for time on the uphill return by riding the downhills and running faster in it.  Pretty soon it was the first water station. I got some water and ate some of the M&Ms i stashed in my pocket. Note to self … bring more the next time. By Km4 I started run walk intervals (as recommended by Jeff Galloway) … walks not lasting more than 1 min. I cant remember now but i think i walked about 5 times. 22 minutes in and we saw the first person running back already. wow! cant help but clap for him. Then we saw the familiar faces of friends who ran with us. After the 5K turnaround,  i walked a bit. Up came the next hill, run 10 fast on toes and 10 slow and continued until i finished it. Rode the downhills.

41 minutes in 4 kms to go. A lolo runner asked for time and I told him. He said he was tired but then he zoomed away. 4Kms and 2 hills to go decided to runat 7:30 but speed up downhil to 6:30. i started doing it and doing the 10×10 on the uphills.

Ah! The light at the end of the tunnel!!! It was the arrow pointing to the parade grounds again. My legs still felt strong so i upped my pace to 6:00 it was fun, i was unconsciously pacing with a younger runner. When he asked for the time i said we were 1 hour in. He said that its about the same time as his last race also. We zoomed passed a couple female cadets (i just love it when I overtake these femmebots … before its the batu-bato men now i run after femmebots and of course any pace below 6:00min/km is zooming for me already). Then onto the grass to get to the chute. I realized i will probably not like trail running as it requires balance.

Into the chute under my correct age group, *sigh* U am in the 30-39 chute and then im getting a banana and my giveaway.

After the run, crazy instructors and organisers were asking runners to gather for active recovery … of body combat! Crazy! After the awarding its on to steak breakfast, shower and our active recovery of choice, shopping.

 Subic half marathon next!