Tufts 10K Race, October 8, 2007

31st Annual Tufts 10K Race
Boston, MA

Total time: 1:01:37
Pace: 9:55

This race was today. It's my 3rd consecutive year running it. Two years ago I PR'ed my 10K time at 59:18. Last year, I was injured and walked ~ miles 4 - 5 1/2. This year, while I didn't beat my PR time, I hadn't set out to do so, and I was very pleased with my time and race.

I wasn't sure of a goal or a strategy when I showed up. I had planned to enjoy the race. I planned to moderately push myself, as I had just done my 2nd trail run ever yesterday and ran 5 miles (lots of fun!). I didn't plan to beat my PR; I knew I couldn't, but I thought I could do something that would allow me some contentment with my running. I hadn't yet known what that was at the signaled start of the race.

I was at the starting line, and unlike the strategy that really worked well for me two years ago (starting slow, slowly increasing my pace a third of the way through, and pushing all out the last third of the race), I decided to do something different after my first few steps over the timing mat. I had thought if I had started slowly, I wouldn't be able to push as much as I wanted, so I decided to start out faster than usual...not fast....but faster than usual and try to hold it.

I haven't been running consistently as I'd like. Plus, I have been dealing with something (ahem, ignoring something) the past 4 - 6 weeks that I know now is plantar fascitis. I haven't been able to make Wednesday track once since we began a few weeks ago, due to work. I finally came to terms last week that I would not be doing Wed. track at all.

This morning, I didn't know what I could do today, but I thought I could run 10:00 miles. I started out what seemed faster -- not fast -- and I reached Mile 1 at ~10 minutes. I continued to run, not slowing down. I figured that I would probably slow down the last two miles, but I didn't care. I thought that if I ran like this now, maybe a bit faster at times, and slowed down a bit the last two miles because I was tired, I'd still make 10:00 min. miles. I had planned to do the usual 10:1 (run 10 min/walk 1 min). I walked each water stop for 60 seconds. This was a good idea, as there was water each mile (I think) and I can't run and drink anyway. The walk break made me feel good when I started running. My heel was hurting a bit, but it hurts MUCH less when I run, so I was happy to be running!

Between miles 4 & 5 I got a bit tired, but I kept running. I wish I had figured out the Garmin I just bought, because I am really curious: I think I PRETTY MUCH stayed consistent throughout MOST of this race re: my pace mile per mile.

I was pushing myself and I was having fun. I was able get myself over to the side of the street to high five about 5 -6 kids as I rounded the corner from Comm. Ave. onto Arlington Street. At one point before reaching this corner, while I always knew I wouldn't go sub 1:00 today, I had started to shoot for 1:00 something.

Soon after, at another point, I realized I would miss that and shot for 1:01 something.

I ended the race with a time of 1:01:37. This was ~ 2 min. slower than two years ago but it was OK. I was feeling great about my time. I felt strong crossing the finish line. Two years ago race day, I was in the best shape weight-wise and running-wise of my life. Fast forward two years exactly to today, I'm still ~18 lbs heavier, I haven't been running as consistenly as I'd like to have been running this summer, and the past 4-6 weeks have left me not biking or swmming consistently as I'd like, either. And I was only ~ 2 min slower than two years ago when I was in the best shape of my life.

So what does that mean to me? Well, I'm loosing the extra weight slowly, but loosing. I'm currently devising a good off-season plan. I just joined Master's Swimming. Despite a possible temporary setback with this new plantar fascitis diagnosis, I have a lot of potential.

As for today, I was able to not think about my overall time for parts of this race, and when I was thinking about time, I was still having fun getting over to the kids and high-fiving them. And 1:01:37 left me crossing the finish line with a smile on my face. I felt good. And, as I "closed out" my 2007 season, I felt good about what I'll be able to do next season.


Reach the Beach pictures and Season Recap to come....