A true return to form, functionality and hastiness. After being sidelined and injury ridden for the first half of the year, this was a pleasurably brisk encounter with an old friend, namely the 10K.
For some reason I had a negative recollection of the breathless, bloodboiling rapidity of this distance. Instead with near perfect late spring conditions this race was rather delightful. Mostly cloudy & overcast with the occasional rain drop is the ideal enabling environment. It also helped having ran the exact same course last year. Equally beneficial was the enticing regularity of the kilometer markers. These were the perfect beckoning beacons, drawing one onwards.
I commenced in the red C enclosure and aimed to complete the first 5k in 20 minutes (ie averaging 6:30 per mile pace) and then maintain, perhaps even enhance this pace for the remaining half of the race. Starting so far back helped to tether my initial burst of enthusiasm and constrain unrealistically speedy beginnings. Hence I could gradually and surprisingly effortlessly accelerate to achieve my half way goal…
The flip side to the welcome stalling of my pace was, of course, the uneven manner in which this result was achieved. Slowing, dashing, constantly changing gears made for a disorientatingly inefficient form of propulsion. It also needlessly distracted my focus away from the direct optimum route. Fortunately the 2nd half, was far less congested with obstacles. Feeling remarkably and resolutely fresh I managed to increase my pace and continue to gain momentum. Meandering and stop starting aside I flew home in under 40 minutes. Impressive particularly in the aftermath of a stress fracture & relative inactivity. If running sub 40 is my regression to mean then being average definitely has its recommendations.
Position: 109/ 4523
Gun time: 44:51
Chip time: 39:47
Average pace (Garmin based): 6:09 minute miles
Real distance run (Garmin based): 6.47 miles
