Remind me again.

It's true.  I have to keep reminding myself of the hard workouts that I am hitting.  The mental side of running is as much a part of running as the physical.  I've been doing the training.  I'm hitting my workouts and it shows.  The Lake Union 10k a few weeks ago went great!  I felt so much stronger overall.

The goal event is in six weeks. One more 10k would be helpful to practice pacing and mental focus before heavier training takes hold.  The Iron Girl Seattle 10k is a nice event and I do actually like that it's a women's only event.  It's a very big event though.  Over 1500 do just the 5k and just over 500 participate in the 10k.  It's a 5k course that the 10k-ers run twice and everyone starts at the same time.

I know what this means.  it means those doing the 10k are going to hit a lot of 5k traffic.  I'd heard this from a faster runner last year as she was super frustrated with trying to maintain pace.  I need the 10k effort though so I signed up for the longer distance.  It ended up being an easier running week and I felt very ready for the race.

My goal?  It was the same as the Lake Union 10k. AT that race, i'd wanted to be under 7:50 pace but was pretty sure that I was more in 7:40 overall pace shape.  The hills there scared me though so I was happy to come in under 7:50.  And I did. My garmin pace showed 7:46.  Race pace results show 7:48 because the course is always a bit longer than GPS measuring.

I did my longer warm-up with some strides and fought my way towards the front of the line up.  And ran into JCB which was a nice surprise.  She was doing the 5k and I expected to pull away quickly but she's been less than 100% since a tough Ragnar Relay and ran a steady PR (and AG placing!).  I felt like I was lined up too far back though as I got into some traffic and had a hard time getting onto pace.  Finally after a half mile, I was where I wanted.  first mile: 7:43

I could see JCB swinging farther out on the course to avoid traffic.  I was really trying to maintain the shortest course line I could for the first lap as I knew I'd hit traffic the second.  I felt great overall.  The weather was perfect.  Mile 2 & 3:  7:36, 7:40.

And it was interesting in mile 3 to listen to the runners around me who were mostly going to be finished. They were breathing hard like they were at the end of a 5k.  I still felt very comfortable.  yes, I was working but comfortable.  I'd kept drifting to a faster pace and would slow it back down to the 7:40 and tried to remain focused and calm.

I was afraid of falling apart.  I reminded myself of the 10k a few weeks ago which was harder.  I reminded myself of the hill repeat workout that had been followed by a track workout. I've done the work.  I am putting in the miles and getting the training done and I know I'm faster and stronger and recovering better.

The 5k finishers turned towards the finish line and I went along my lonely way.  There were women scattered ahead of me.  I worried about hitting a headwind but then welcomed it once it came as it helped keep me cool.  I passed the area where friends would be cheering if they were in town.  Instead they were a thousand miles away cheering for friends at IM Wisconsin and I thought happy thoughts for all those participating and supporting that event.  7:35.  Eeks.  Two more miles.  Would I hold it?  Better slow down.

I passed EO's 81 year old mom walking the 5k with a police escort at the water station just after mile 4.  I didn't realize this was EO's mom at the time but nonetheless, I was really happy to see her out there.  How awesome! My mom and I walked this event a few years ago together.  My mom placed first in her age group (F 75-79) and beat out EO's mom then.  What a hoot! 

And even though I started having to dodge traffic and groups of kids and moms and those still very new to these types of events, I was happy to see so many girls and women out there.  7:43

One more mile and the crowds got thicker.  The street is closed in one direction for this race.  For the first lap, I'd run right on the curb and cut the corners to maintain the shortest line.  This last mile, I swung way out onto the other lane of traffic to avoid all the walkers.   I knew this would happen so I didn't get frustrated. I just maintained my pace and kept focused.  i'd occasionally hear a mom tell a kid to move over a bit to make room for the faster runners and gave a silent nod of thanks.

I wished I'd been able to wear one of my colorful running skirts for this event.  i think those girls would've liked to have seen such cute running wear! 7:40

And with that I saw the final turn to the finish.  I hoped the curb and dodged around 5k finishers onto the grass and pelted in.  Woohoo!  My garmin had 48:06 and showed an average pace of 7:39. I was delighted as this was 15 seconds or so faster than the Lake Union 10k and had really felt so much easier.  All the other CoachLesley athletes had had good runs as well.

I was really bummed to see that the official results had me at 48:03!  Dangit!  If i had known, I could've made up those 3 seconds and come in under 48 minutes.  So close!  I know the last couple of miles cost me some time with traffic.  Truthfully, the other hold up was my mind.  I kept drifting faster but slowed it down because I jsut wasn't sure if I was faster than 7:40 overall pace.  Remind me again.  I'm doing the work, hitting those workouts and good things will come. 

I believe in the training I just have to keep reminding myself of it!