Sunday – Angus Glen 10k
That was my first 10k race. I was trying to figure out how long it should take me. I figured I’d multiply my best 5k (24:24) times 2 and add 10%. About 54 minutes. The coach (Adam) tells me to suck it it and shoot for 51 minutes. I figure he’s out of his mind, and if I can get in under 55, I’d be a pretty happy guy.
The weather was great – a touch cold at warm up time, but perfect during the run. Just a slight breeze from the north.
My buddy Steve, who just started running about 6 moths ago was running with me. From what he’s been telling me about his running, I figured we’re pretty evenly matched.
We started up near the front, maybe 8 to 10 rows back. I took off just a wee bit too fast, but not the “WAY TO FAST” that I usually do. We Headed south and through the neighborhood. I’d forgotten a couple of the turns, but there were lots of folks in front of me!
When we came back out on Kennedy and headed south again for 100 yards or so, I saw Steve just a tiny bit behind he at the turn around. Just past the entrance to Angus Glen I could see his shadow beside me. We ran together until the water table just south of Elgin Mills. I walked for about 15 seconds sipping on water to wash through the gel I just took. Steve was about 25 meters ahead of me.
We were past the turn around before I caught up to him. I kept thinking that I’m pushing just a bit more than I should be as I was trying to catch him. I was only able to stay with him for a couple of minutes and he started to slowly pull away. My quads were tightening up like crazy by the 8k mark. I slowed just a touch from 8 to 9, hoping I’d have something left to ‘turn it on’ for the last k, but I was pretty well spent. I got a mild burst of energy for the last 100 meters, but not a lot.
I’d forgotten to hit the start button on my GPS at the start until we were about 250 meters along, then I forgot to hit stop for a minute or so when we crossed the line. I figured we were about the 51 minute mark.
Steve got me by 23 seconds with a 49:08, I finished with 49:31!
It was a great race. There were tons of folks from Timberlanes there. I saw a few folks from NYAC. There were lots of Team Running Free folks all cheering for each other before, after and along the way as well.
Tereza Macel, one of our swim coaches, was the first women across the line and 3rd overall. Susan Simpson, one of my running buddies at the club, ran an amazing 56:57 with a bad foot and Christine Gardner ran the half in an amazing time of 1:38!
Steve and I sat around feasting on all the food after the race and slowly made out way out.
What a great venue, and what a great job they do putting on a feast after the race. A fabulous race to end the season!
