Chattahoochee Challenge 10K

At the end of my some what reckless run Thursday, I was a bit concerned that my legs just weren't ready for this race. I took the day off, Friday, from everything, in order to give my muscles time to heal and relax. For the most part, it was a good idea and worked out well.



Dee Dee and I arrived in Roswell, GA at 7 AM in the morning. We had been getting emails all week that parking at the Nature Center would be full by 6:45 AM. Alternate parking was at a river park, 1.2 miles away, or the Roswell Mill. The later would require a bus ride to and from the Nature Center. I opted for the park. I figured that 1.2 miles would be a nice walk/warm up for the race. The fact that it was 27 degrees didn't make Dee Dee all that happy, but she persevered.

We walked along the river as light was beginning to break. Geese and ducks were sleeping out on the river in sequestered areas, and the local rowing team was putting their boat into the river as we walked by. We arrived at the Nature Center right on time and found our way to the gym. We stood in line to get our number, after which we hung out there trying to keep warm and oggling all the rest of the runners.

About ten minutes before race time we made our way down to the starting area. As more and more people came down from the gym, Dee Dee and I joked that we were middle packers now rather than back of the packers. I allowed my Garmin to synch up with the satellites. I set a quick workout for 10K and one hour. I was ready. I massaged the ITB bands on both sides of my legs and rolled my ankles to loosen them up. Dee Dee and I joked with some of the other runners. There was another one of THOSE guys at the front of the pack, in nothing but shorts and running shoes. Brrrrrr.

As the gun went off to start the race, I pressed start on my HR monitor. As I crossed over the start line, I pressed start on the Garmin. My goal for this race was to come in under one hour. I also wanted to start off smooth and pace myself. As I ran up the only gentle hill on the way out, I settled into a comfortable nine minute mile pace. Most of the first miles of my races are right around 9 minutes. Today, I wanted to sustain that pace. Sure enough, as I crossed the first mile marker, and Mr. Timer Guy called out 9:06. I was expecting that.

But then something unexpected happened. I wasn't tired. I wasn't breathing uncomfortably. I was breathing hard, but I could take it. Ms. Timer Lady called out 8:52 for my second mile. Cool. A negative split. Did I mention I luv running on flat courses! As I neared mile three, the leading runners were on their way back. Mr. No Shirt Guy was chasing someone a few seconds in front of him. I went up a teensy hill at the intersection with Roswell Road and made my U-turn to head back towards the nature center. As I went past Mr. Timer Guy #3, he called out 8:51. Whoa! Another negative split, and within spitting distance of my PR for a 5K. How cool as that?

Around this time, I began trying to decide exactly when I was going to take my first walk break. The truth is, I really wanted to get on here and tell everyone that I ran the entire thing. This motivated me, but it just wasn't going to happen. Past mile 4: 9:01. Up the hill past the nature center. Other runners were finishing up their race as I headed past the finish line for the final 1.5 miles. As I passed mile marker 5 (9:03), I came to the final hill, and a very minor one at that. I struggled up it, made it to the turn around, and then headed for the finish.

Somewhere between 5 and 6 (9:28), I took a walk break. I was tired. I had never run this far straight through before. I needed to breath. My nose had been bothering me for three miles, and it really is hard to breath when you have to gag. I took a short 40 second break and then started running again. I had about three quarters of a mile left at that point. I wanted to finish strong, so I took one more brief walk break before the finish line came in sight. As I crossed the finish line, I was pleased to see the official race time as 57:04, and my Garmin reported my time as 56:12, an improvement of more than 3:30 over my previous 10K.

Dee Dee came in at 1:17:00, a nine(!) minute improvement over her previous 10K. She was so proud of herself, and rightly so. She did an awesome job. When she was finished, she asked me if I had seen the guy running barefoot? I told her no, but I had heard of people doing that before. We picked up our goody bag. Got something to eat and drink, then headed back to the car. We needed to get to Matthew's soccer game. No rest for the weary!

So, Mr. Virtual Partner. I have only one thing to say. In your face! I know you will be back. I know you will be faster, but I will be ready! Until we meet again...

Wes

OOPS: Just realized 27:40 IS a PR for my 5K distance. Shucks!

ORN: 6.21 miles, 56:12, race pace, 9:02 miles, walk as needed