Carytown 10K

21. May 2007 · Write a comment · Categories: Carytown 10K

This was not a particularly difficult race — just heading out, a few turns, and heading back on a different street. My watch time (which was very accurate to real time) showed 1:04:01 – a little over a minute better than my previous best 10K. I love new personal records (PR).

The official time shown for me was 1:04:51 – a full 50 seconds from gun until I shuffled my way to the starting line. The start was not very organized, and the mile signs were not well marked either. A few of our gang did better than I (under an hour for two of them), and the rest were a bit behind me. In the middle is fine… I even ran into a friend / neighbor midway on the course. We ran together for a bit until I realized that his pace would kill me so I wisely slowed down.

Heading out, the road was one really long, slow uphill climb. A right turn changed that and quickly headed down hill to make up for all of the elevation in a couple of hundred yards. The remaining course was fairly flat. I only found that the fifth and early sixth mile were difficult, then I regained my legs to finish strong.

I have been very conscientious of my pace lately (thanks to the pace alarm on my watch), and know that if I hit a mile marker well under my time that I’m pretty much screwed until I can slow down and recover. During one weekday run, we ran 3 miles. My normal pace is between 10:30 and 10:45 for the first mile, then closer to 10 for the second. We hit one mile at 9:30 and finished in about 28 minutes (9:20 pace). I was dead for the next two days… I think I’ll keep to my 10 – 10:30 pace for a while!

Another weekend, another 10K

20. May 2007 · Write a comment · Categories: Carytown 10K, running

Well, I am running another 10K today (Sunday). I’m not at all sure how I’ll do but as usual, will give it my best shot. It’s only an hour or so – longer with the drive, warm up, cool down and drive home, but only an hour of pain…

The “team” of folks I have been running with have continued the Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday runs. The team is fairly fluid, but I know I will always have someone to run with when I show. I have run on the treadmill a few times, even gone a round or two with the elliptical, but for the most part have just been running 3 – 5 miles with the team. I’ve been struggling lately with the longer distances, but think that if I get my act together and start eating right, it will help me remove that barrier.

Today’s 10K is the Carytown 10K. It’s a basic out and back course, but through a great little shopping district that is a favorite of mine. I’ve not run this race before, but am looking forward to the challenge.

Lately, I have been so busy with the pool. We have been trying to get it ready to open (next weekend), and finishing up with the projects we started this fall. I continue to be amazed that out of the 220 member families, about 20 individuals have spent any time at all volunteering to get the pool ready. We’ve built a pavilion, torn up and replaced 1800 sq. ft. of decking, torn up 600 sq. ft. of concrete (jackhammer, etc.), all ready for opening. 20 people helping at all – about 10 with serious effort put forth. I only know it’s worth it due to the comments. But, I’m tired… too much time spent there and not enough on the things around my home. Good thing this is the last year on the board (and I will not continue on the board). Now, if I could only find the time to manage the website for the pool as well!