On Sunday morning, I ran my first ever 10K. For some reason, I am drawn to the longer races – marathons and half marathons. I have been neglecting the shorter ones. I’ve only run a handful of 5Ks and never a 10K. I was pretty stoked for an automatic PR, but I also had another ambitious goal – to maintain a sub-9 minute pace for the entire race. I knew the course had the reputation of being hilly, but I stuck with my goal anyway.
At least I didn't have to push the stroller up those hills
The starting line was packed and there was no designation for approximate paces. I lined myself up somewhere in the middle of the 2,000 runners and hoped I was in a good spot. Turns out most people didn’t try to think out their pace logically in the pack like I did so the first mile involved a whole lot of weaving.
Walking to the starting line
Part 1 of my fan club
And part 2!
My legs felt stiff in the beginning and the first mile was mostly uphill. I thought about throwing my pace goal out the window. I kept on trucking, reminding myself it was only a little over 6 miles. After training for 2 marathons back to back, 6 miles doesn’t seem so bad.
That's me in the pink!
The hills were tough, but I tackled them the best I could and passed quite a few people on each hill. I was thrilled to see that I was actually maintaining a sub-9 minute splits the whole time. On the hills, I would see my pace creep back up over 9 so I’d force myself to push a little harder. For the last mile, I so badly wanted to pull my average pace down into the 7 minute range, but there was yet another hill and it wasn’t happening. My pace for the last quarter of a mile was 7:01 though! I’ve never run so hard for a race in my life. I was glad I made the decision to wear my hydration belt so I didn’t have to bother with stopping at any of the water stations.
This is what running as fast I can looks like
Hubby is an awesome race photographer
My official time was 53:14; an average pace of 8:31 – super fast for me! I don’t know all my finish placement details, but I know I was number 580 out of over 1,700 finishers. Certainly not a win or anything, but that’s pretty up there for me!
Looking like I'm going to pass out post-race
Super fast!
I found that I really loved the 10K distance. I definitely want to run more shorter distance races after my next 2 half marathons. As much as I love distance running, I’m ready for a little break. Time to focus on shorter distances and faster running!
Time to rehydrate!
After I got home from the race, I went out and ran another 4 miles with Zain in the stroller. I’ve maintained a streak of running double digits every weekend since the Baltimore Marathon in October and I didn’t want to break it. I really had to fight to get it done because I was so beat from the race, but I did it!
What’s your favorite race length?
Great race! And you blew your sub-9 goal up! With hills and all. I want to try to do more shorter races this summer in the off season, but I still love the marathon and all that goes into it the months before.
Fantastic effort! Love the AMR shirt!
Congrats on your 10k! Great pace. I haven’t run that distance either and keep thinking I need to find one…of course, those short races are hard because I want to try to run fast which isn’t my strong suit!
Great race! Love the shirt too
My personal fav is the 10K – I feel like I can haul tush and I am not ready to die when I’m finished! I also like a 10 miler here and there too.
Yay!! Great race and way to kick it up at the end. I love a good 10K!
My favorite distance is definitely the half — but I really enjoyed training for a full (I just didn’t ENJOY the full, if that makes any sense).
Fantastic job on the race! I like the 10K distance too, but they are harder to find than a 5K! It sounds like you have a 5K PR in your near future too
Great job! I also enjoy a 10k because of it’s challenge. I push to keep a 9 to 10 minute mile, not fast but I’m still relatively new to running and 46 years old. 5k runs are fun, I’ve ran several of those, and I ran 1 marathon last year. You’ve given me an idea on shortening up the miles my morning run routine and push for speed.
Awesome job! I ran a 10K on the weekend and really enjoyed the distance too. I wasn’t fast but I’m also 23 weeks pregnant so it all evens out
Congrats! So glad you got out and tried a new distance. Clyde’s is a great race (not that I’m partial to Striders events or anything). Your plan to do more shorter races is a smart one. They can help you build a lot of speed that carries over to marathons nicely.
way to go speedy you did great!
Great job on your first 10K! Gotta love an automatic PR!
Wow! That was super fast. Way to go! I like the 10K distance. Long enough to feel the run, but you’re not wiped out at the end.
That’s Awesome!!! This is my favorite race and I run it every year!!! Great job!!! my fav distance is the 10 miler.. but clyde’s is my fav 10K although i was a little disappointed at no hot food as in past years.. which reminds me I need to do my race recap!!
I’ll catch you out there one day and grab a photo at a race since we seem to run many of the same ones.. your pace is faster than mine so definitely pre-race! LOL
Have a great one!
Wow! Congratulations! I was just behind you, 4 minutes faster than last year.
while I ran, I took a lot of pictures with my iphone. Since I knew the route already, I didn’t stop at hills, like I did last year. For the last quarter of a mile, I rushed too, about 7 minutes a mile.