Augusto 10k race report

This race happened they way it usually happens for me - spur of the moment!  As my friends and I were texting each other back and forth about our weekend training plans, Kris said that she was doing an 18k race for work - which worked for her because she had an 11 mile run on her plan anyway.  Quickly, Aixa signed up for the race as well since she too had to run 11 miles.  I told them that I would head out in that direction, but I only had an hour run so I would see them on the course and hang with them afterwards.  I was quickly informed that there was a 10k option to sign up for as well.  So, no wanting to be left out, I signed up for it.  I immediately starting having thoughts about how well I could do at this race.  It's a smaller race so I wasn't sure who exactly would show up.  After my run at Small Texan, I've been feeling a bit more confident on my runs and I was thinking that I might be able to place in my age group.

Never ones to miss out on a matchy-matchy opportunity!

So Sunday morning comes and I get to the race and I'm looking around at all the other races.  Most seem to be wearing the 18k bibs but I see quite a few 10k bibs and I immediately think to myself that they all look like faster runners than me but maybe they are not in my age group (but of course I assumed they all were).  And then I see HER....a girl who will remain nameless but one that I know has aged up into my age group and who is fast.  I decide to line myself up behind her and see how long I can hang or keep her in my sights. 

The countdown begins and we take off.  This is only my second 10k run that I've raced so I'm still unsure of how fast I should go out.  I know I can't go out as hot as I can in a 5k because I'm not sure I can maintain that pace.  So I keep my "mark" in my sights and I'm running at a pretty good clip.  The first mile is all downhill so you're able to go pretty fast.  My "mark" begins to play with her watch and slows down.  I begin to freak out. Do I slow down and stay behind her?  Do I pass her and try to hold her off?  I really didn't want to be the one being chased; I wanted to be the chaser.  I decide I don't want to loose too much time so I pass her.  I hear her jump onto my heels.  Ugh!  Then she passes me up again and I breath a sigh of relief.  Okay - back to plan A:  Keep her in your sights. 

I'm passing lots of runners and feeling comfortable as the miles start ticking off my Garmin.  I'm finding it easy to keep my "mark" in my sights and I'm beginning to think about my strategy for the way back.  I come up to another girl who's running a good pace.  I pass her for a few minutes and then she passes me back up with a speed that I can't hang with so I let her go.  But she's another girl that I decide to keep in my sights.  Right before the turn around I get passed by one female who I had not seen before.  She's running fast and quickly starts picking off my two "marks".  Hmmmm, okay then.  As I approach the turn around I get to count how many females are ahead of me; two girls are super far ahead me, the girl who came from behind and passed me is in third, and then my two "marks" are fourth and fifth.  That makes me sixth female!  I hit the turn around and I'm feeling good.  The legs are turning over quickly and my breathing is labored by I'm not out of breath by any means.  My pace has been in the 8's and I'm thinking to myself that I can hold this pace.  As I get to mile 4 I realize that I'm catching up to my "marks".  I'm right one their heels.  Now is the time for me to make my decision.  Do I pass now with 2 miles left or stay behind them and wait until I'm closer to the finish?

I know that last mile is one hell of an uphill and I decide to risk it.  I pick up my pace and pass one of the girls and then I pass the other one.  I hear them breathing behind me and not letting up; they are staying on my heels.  Mile 5 beeps on my watch.  I know there's only 1.2 miles left.  I take a quick swig of my hydration from my handheld (best decision ever by the way to take it with me!) and dig in for the uphill.  I know if I can just maintain my pace maybe I can hold them off.  I'm too scared to look behind me so I just keep putting one foot in front of the other and run.  I finally get to the top and the terrain evens out.  There's a sharp 90-degree turn and I finally risk a glance behind me - No one's there!!  I can't believe it!  I let a little "whoop!" out and pick up the pace.  Of course, this is the place where my foot finds the one hole in asphalt and my ankle turns a little.  I quickly recover and shake my head.  Focus Orissa!!  As my watch beeps for mile 6, I decide to take another peek over my shoulder.  Crap - green shirt girl is there!  I put the pedal to the metal and sprint to the finish that I now can see.  I cross over the line and I stop my watch - 52 min and change!  A 10k PR!!!  I am ecstatic with my run.  The girl in the green shirt comes over to me and we congratulate each other for a good race.  She ended up getting 1st place in her age group and I ended up getting 2nd in my age group!   

This turned out to be a very fun race and I'm extremely happy with my result.  Next up for me is the Kerrville Intermediate Distance triathlon.  I'm hoping my running improvements carry over into triathlons!!  Stay tuned..... :)