Time to Fly 10k - June 28, 2008

This was my first 10k ever and I was a little nervous knowing the pace was going to be much faster than what I have been used to.  This race took place on Harriet Island near Downtown St Paul.  The weather was nice although we had a brief shower rain shower after the start.  I wanted to run a sub 7 minute pace hoping my long distance endurance would allow me to keep my pace throughout.  I just didn't know what to expect.

My first mile pace was 6:52 and I was really breathing hard.  My heart rate was already thumping before the race began from my nervous energy.  I held my pace until mile 3 when it slipped to 7:04.  I was half way and returning to home.  I pushed harder to get back on pace.  The course went through a winding path in the woods that was partially unpaved and uneven.  Then we were back on the road heading to the finish line.  I had a mile and a half to go but was back on pace.  I was exhausted and the tenths of a mile were rolling by slowly.  I reached a crest in the road where the finish line could be seen to my left.  The final 0.3 miles were slightly downhill and I pushed with everything I had left.

My time was 42:43 (6:53/mile pace) and good enough for 26th place overall among 412 finishers.  I also finished 3rd among 12 in my age group.  I was thrilled but exhausted after the race.   

http://onlineraceresults.com/race/view_race.php?race_id=8279&relist_record_type=result&lower_bound=0&upper_bound=412&use_previous_sql=1&group_by=default#racetop