Elizabeth River Run 10k: short race report
Didn’t know what to expect from this race. It was my first one for about a month, a month where there were 2 weeks of no running and 2 weeks of easy running. I’ve said it before but it’s amazing how long it takes to build a fitness base, but equally amazing how fast you lose it. Anyway, I just decided to go with the flow and see what happened.
Conditions were pretty good, although a little warm and getting warmer every minute. The race started promptly at 8:30am and the almost 700 starters were finally on their way. The first mile actually felt quite easy, but at 5 minutes 58 seconds I knew it was probably a little fast. Why I didn’t slow down I’m not sure, but I continued at a similar pace and went through the second mile slightly faster in 5:54. It was just after the second mile marker that my lack of speed and fitness hit me, and hit me hard. All of sudden my legs felt heavy and it was quite an effort to maintain any kind of form.
Luckily there was a water stop just before the 3 mile mark which helped to revive me slightly. The temperature seemed to be rising quickly and it was great to pour a couple of cups of water over my head to cool me down. As expected, I’d slowed to just over a 6 minute mile and I knew it was going to be a long 3 miles back to the finish. At this stage of the race, the course wound it’s way through the grounds of Portsmouth Naval Medical Center overlooking the Elizabeth River. Typically this would be a very picturesque route to take, but by now I wasn’t really interested in the scenery and just wanted to focus on running as economically as possible. Usually there are other runners around you as you run, but today I was all on my own with no hope of catching the guy in front and no-one close enough to catch me.
Mile 4 was 6:12 and mile 5 was 6:21 - getting slower all the time and unable to do anything about it. However with a bit of encouragement from the local Running Store owner I was able to pick things up a little for the final mile and finish in 38 minutes 32 seconds. I can’t describe how tough the last couple of miles were. Races are usually hard, but this one, with my current lack of fitness, was especially tough. I’m sure things will get better as I return to regular training,but for now I still have some work to do.
It’s not all doom and gloom though. Believe it or not, I still had fun and managed to finish 14th overall and 2nd in the 40-44 age group. I love a challenge and will work hard to do better next time - probably something shorter in a couple of weeks time.
Full details of this training run, courtesy of MotionBased and my Garmin Forerunner 305
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May 28th, 2007 at 4:55 am
I’m impressed! I don’t even think I can run 1 mile. Running has never been my favorite thing to do, I rather swim. But good on ya for finishing 14th overall and 2nd in your age group despite not feeling a 100% fit. Great job!
May 28th, 2007 at 6:20 pm
Nice come back from your injury Steve! I too seemed to take a beating from that race…the water station people were my very best friends that day!
Congratulations on your overall and 2nd in age group finishes!
Later,
Charlie
May 28th, 2007 at 8:16 pm
Thanks Charlie. Good to meet you after the race and congrats on your award also. I agree - the volunteers were first class. That’s why, no matter how tired I am and how much I’m struggling, I always say thanks to the volunteers (and to the Police for that matter). The races couldn’t take place without them.
See you at the next one!
–Steve
May 29th, 2007 at 11:36 am
Hey Steve, I just stumbled this post. It’s very engaging. Drew me into your race and felt like I was right there with you. Great writing.
May 29th, 2007 at 11:40 am
Thanks! I’m not much of a writer and on Saturday wasn’t much of a runner either
It was fun though, believe it or not!
May 29th, 2007 at 7:19 pm
I like running because of the endorphine rush you get at the end of it but it still hurts to run sometimes. I am glad you had fun
May 29th, 2007 at 7:28 pm
For me, fun is the name of the game.
Fitness comes a close second.
Health is #3.
Number 4 is the personal challenge.
Finally there’s the social aspect of running.
May 31st, 2007 at 9:46 am
I always thought running was a solitary thing.. usually I am too out of breath to hold a conversation.. all I can feel is the needle pricking of my skin…