Reedy River 10k Race Report

Decent week training - two yoga classes bookending two ~7 mile runs before the Reedy River Run Saturday morning. The 33° temp at 8am felt more like 40° and the sun was very nice. Saw alot of friends (DNR team, GTC friends) and I as looking for a rabbit to run me a 45:59. My PR was from Cooper River 2001 where I ran 46:04. Hadn't run under 49 until last year's 47:14 and this is the only distance I did not PR in 2009. PR's in the 5k, 8k, 10mi, half marathon, 30k and full marathon, and I was truly doubting my ability to ever break the 10k one. It was definitely an abnormality in the whole range of my PR's - -how did I ever run that fast?
At the start I found my rabbit - KB, who had a very similar time in the Green Valley race even though she is clearly a better runner than myself. We found ourselves up front just behind the elites (and just ahead of some walkers) and crossed the start line 4 seconds after the gun. Two quick left turns and we were off on a fast pace. Too fast it seemed and I was right as we went thru in 7:03. Kept it up thru the next two miles running side by side with KB in 7:07 and 7:06 splits. Three miles in 21:16. Hmmm, what is my 5k PR again? 22:06?! So I was Ahead of my 5k PR by about 10 seconds. Yep - too fast. KB kept going, but I kept her in my sights as I slowed, but kept pushing. That 4th mile - should have been a good one in Cleveland Park, but ran 7:27. Still had plenty of time to spare. A little left calf soreness, and something on one of my right toes (a blister? no way!?) but I trudged on with 7:29. A few more hills in the last mile as I tried to do the math...if I hit 6 miles in about 44:40, I'd be close! Clock read 44:03 and I knew I had it. Still pushed as I knew the faster I ran, the sooner I'd be done, and more satisfied I'd be with breaking my old PR. Hit the mat in 45:24!! Another 40 seconds off my PR. I keep surprising myself, even with not so fresh legs. Felt great afterwards (calf soreness went away quickly and the toe thing I forgot about until I took my sock off and the was blood all over one toe. No blister - but a nail had cut into the next toe. Must take care of that before the next run!)
Having a race threw off my schedule, so I planned to run Sunday. Ended up working out that Paris Mtn fit into our day, so one loop around the upper lake (dodging many bicycles) and then down to Lake Placid for about 8.25 miles. Somewhat heavy legs, but a minute faster around the upper loop than my first loop last week, and a quick trip downhill before leveling off on the Mountain Creek trail.
I need to slow down a good bit for next weekend's run - 3 loops = 18miles.As tough as it is on my legs - I hope that means they are getting stronger!!

Green Valley 10 mile Race Report

The 33rd annual Green Valley Road Race has 8k and 10 mile events - I was doing the 10 miler for the 3rd time (2007, 2009) having set my PR here last year with a 1:18:08. I was hoping to run 8 min/mi giving me a 1:20, but I really wasn't sure I'd be able to run that fast. Treadmill workouts always seem harder than outdoor running for me, and last week's runs weren't terribly easy.
The 8:45am start was a little crowded, but ran off the left side to get around some people before settling into my rhythm. Tucked in beside Jim, a fellow GTC-er and Charlotte Marathon finisher, right ahead of me), so I knew we'd have a similar pace/goal. Also saw my first rabbit from 8 yrs ago (She had her music going and she probably wouldn't remember me anyway) right there, so I'd have people to chase. Started off right on pace with a 7:50 and felt fine. Came upon another runner (TD) I see in many races, but she was fighting a sinus thing, so we didn't run together long. That was my slowest mile (8:14) and I'd new I'd have to push to keep the 8's possible. Jim got about 25 seconds ahead of me and stayed there for a bit before I sloooowly reeled him in over the course of 5 miles. Back to running by myself, occasionally passing people. In fact - I don't think anyone passed me after the first 0.25 miles. Hit some climbs and went thru the third mile in 8:05, then ran a 7:41 to get back on my goal pace. (4 miles in 31:52). Kept thinking this race really didn't seem too far and the miles kept coming pretty quick - in my head at least. Got the to heart of the hills and ran consistently 8:04, 8:00 and 7:51 as I passed a few more people and caught and passed Jim around mile 6. So thru 7 in 55:49 - still right on pace. I had started thinking in the back of my mind that a PR was possible, but I didn't know exactly what time I had to beat (1:18 something...). If I pushed hard...I could break 1:19 and then it would be close. Picked off 3-4 others from miles 7 to 9 running 7:45 and 7:48. Was mostly a gentle downhill thru here, some on the Swamp Rabbit trail, but I knew there was a small rise in the last 1/2 mile that I never enjoy. Still saw some people I wanted to catch 50 yards ahead, so kept at it, as I kept thinking I was hearing footsteps behind me to push me even harder. I also knew my wife and daughter would see me finish, so I wanted to have a strong finish too. We got onto the mall at Furman and I passed 2 or 3 more as I was intent on one more guy ahead of me. Passed him with 30 yards to spare and finished with a time of 1:18:32! I was very happy with that (even after finding out I missed a PR by 25 secs or so). I really enjoy the course and the distance - not exhausted afterwards but feel like it's still a good challenge. Any run can be a challenge, but still!
Team DNR All Stars (our relay team for the Palmetto 200) had a good showing, Terry and Dave finishing around 1:16, Kerrie ran well I'm sure although results won't be up until tomorrow, and Kathrin snuck by in 1:36. Christina, Ken and our team leader Chris all ran the 8k too.
Other noteworthy events:
Reedy River 10k in 2 weeks...not sure I can do 7:25's to PR there...
and I finally registered for the Chattooga 50k on June 6th!