Day # 27: Bridge of Flowers 10K Road Race in 49:44

On an unbelievably humid morning and sunshine beating down, I lined up to run the www.bridgeofflowers10k.com in Shelburne Falls, MA. In what was the hardest road race I have ever competed in, I finished the 10K in 49:44, eclipsing my goal of finishing under 50 minutes, with only seconds to spare. Mile 1 and mile 2 both featured short short rolling hills. I remember hearing my split of 6:58 when crossing mile 1, obviously coming through way too fast. I then remember hearing my 2 mile split of 14:07, still way too fast (7:09). Mile 3 began the infamous Crittendon Hill, which was a 1 mile run (or should I say slow jog/walk) up a 10% gradient hill. The hill is literally exactly 1 mile, as the mile 3 marker is at the top of the hill. By the top, the heat and humidity had pretty much sucked the energy out of me and the rest of the 983 competitors in the event. Nevertheless, I trudged on, still cognizant of the goal to beat the 50 minute mark. Miles 4 and 5 I pretty much recall as being recovery/hanging on miles where I was trying to ignore thoughts of walking. My guess is that I ran in the 8:45-9 minute range for those 2 miles. Finally, I remember hearing 39:48 when I began mile 5, exactly 1.2 miles from the finish line. Lucky for me, the remaining distance was mostly shaded and featured quite a down hill trek. Realizing the finish was near, I pushed the tempo and started running much harder. Crossing the iron bridge from Buckland to Shelburne Falls with 200 yards left, I had no choice but to stop and dry heave. After thinking all was lost, I told myself again that I needed to finish under 50, seeing that my watch was reading 49:00. I turned towards the finish line and jogged through the line at 49:44, beating my goal and accomplishing a great feat under the circumstances! My reward for finishing? A carnation, 3 bottles of water, and a very happy Sara and my mom. Thanks for cheering me on and being so supportive! A side note, upon reading my results online later on, I realized I ran exactly an 8:00/min pace. Not bad at all. I dedicated today's race to my grandparents. I miss you.

Day # 25: 3 Mile Warmup for the 10K

Today was all about pacing a controlled 3 mile run. For the last 3+ weeks, I've gotten into the habit of running a bit harder than I should on my long runs. Today, it was especially important that I revert back to the original plan of pacing myself into a controlled run and running even splits. I achieved that much today. I ran a relaxed 3.2 mile run tonight in 25:28 in preparation for the Bridge of Flowers 10K in Shelburne Falls, Ma. this weekend. I felt good before, during, and after the run, not to mention a shorter 3 mile run like today served as a bit of tapering leading into this weekend's race. If I feel rested tomorrow morning, the plan is to hit the gym to ride the bike for 20 and the eliptical for 10 minutes, just to keep my muscles loose. My preliminary goal this weekend is fairly basic by looking to break 50 minutes. Looking forward to a great race on Saturday, hopefully the heat and humidity don't get to me!

Day # 23: 4.8 Miles & Feeling Good

Going into my 10K this Saturday, I wanted to get out and run a bit longer than the scheduled 4 miles today. I picked a route starting at my house and going through Lexington before coming back, which was exactly 4.8 miles. The route worked out well as it was very shady and not too trafficky. The best part about the run tonight was how I felt. I started with a slight twinge behind the back of my left knee, but about 1 mile into the run I was feeling fine and running comfortably. I'd say I slowed down a bit between miles 3-4, but finished the last 8 tenths very hard. I finished the run in 36:51, which makes it about a 7:35 pace, very comfortable and faster than race pace.

Day # 22: 3 Miles of Sweat

Now I understand why New Englanders enjoy fall, spring, and winter. Summer here is way too humid! Honestly, for the past 2 months or so, the humidity here in Massachusetts has been awful. It is one thing to be down in Florida in the hot sunshine, at the beach, getting a tan, baking in the humidity, and being able to cool off at the ocean or in the myriad of pools. But when it is overcast, 88, with the humidity over 70%, it is simply ridiculously rough here in New England. I hope fall comes soon. Well so anyways, I ran the 3.2 mile loop tonight in 23:21, even though I said I'd run at marathon pace. So I ran the mile pace at 7:28. My fastest pace for 3+ miles in non-race training.

In other exciting news I did 4 things to further my commitment to the marathon today.

1) I registered for the 10K road race in Shelburne Falls, MA. this Saturday. Check out the race site at www.bridgeofflowers10k.com
2) I registered for the Boston Half Marathon in October. Check out the race site at http://www.baa.org/HalfMarathon
3) I booked a room at the Hampton Inn in Philadelphia for the night of November 19th.
4) I booked a roundtrip flight to Philadelphia on Southwest (leaving Nov. 19th, returning Nov, 20th)