This past weekend I ran the Pike's Peak 10K. The race is run by a local running club, MCRRC and they always put on a great race and usually have great support. This race was no different. The race began at Shady Grove Metro (real close to my house) and ended at White Flint Mall via Rt.355 - a major local road.
The weather - For the past several weeks, the Washington DC area has skipped the spring temps - it has been in the low 40's most of spring. However, this weekend mother nature decided to bring the heat. It was above 80 degrees at the start of race. UGH! I have not had time to acclimate to that kind of heat.
Mrs triforacure and I met a couple of friends at the race, hung out, and dispersed among our different pace groups. There were 2 of my friends in my pace group and we ran about the 1st mile together. As we were running, I was thinking man the heat is really getting to me because I am starting to really work up a sweat. As we pass the first mile marker I found out why, 7:45 for 1 mile- a bit too fast for me to maintain. This is were my friends and I each did there own things. I knew I couldn't maintain that pace for 6 miles in that heat....so I tried to back it down a bit. Mile 2, I think I was close to 8:00 mile, but was still struggling to keep my heart rate down.
At mile 2.5 was the first water stop, a quick gulp, splash, and go. I have really improved on my speed through the water stops. Just last year, I had to come to a complete stop, drink the water, toss the cup, and find the energy to get back up to race speed. Now, I don't even slow down unless there is traffic.
At mile 3, Mrs triforacure stopped on the side of the road and cheering me on. Man, what a feeling! It is always nice to have support. About mile 3.5 mile I ran into another friend, Chuck. We chatted for a bit, but he was struggling a little due to the heat. I happened to be carrying a water bottle and gave the rest to him. I thought he needed it more than I did.
The rest of the race was a struggle...mentally. For whatever reason I just felt like quiting. I was hot, tired, and felt my pace was slow. At one point, I just happened to check my heart rate monitor and it said 169. For me, that is just a good hard effort pace. So, I said unless my HR gets above 175 I am not stopping. And that was it! I told myself my problems are in my head and not to let it stop my race.
Somewhere between mile 5 and 6 it happened again - a runner had collapsed just minutes before I arrived. Medics were just arriving on the scene and there was nothing more I could do. A similar thing happened last year at a half marathon, except it was worse.....that person didn't survive. This year that person made a FULL and quick recovery, very glad for that.
For me, it was a PR (personal record)! My time was 50:44....a pace of 8:10 per mile.
Overall place 517 of 1398
Age group place 65 of 189 (top 1/3 of my age group)
My goal for the race was just to finish. I knew it would hot and I rode 30 miles the day before so my legs were not 100%.
