When you wait a month to write your race recap,the race becomes a lot less exciting.
When all the life changes happen in between the race and the day of the recap, the race becomes a lot less exciting.
When you remember your PR, the excitement returns.
I signed up for the Scotland Run 10K on a bit of a whim. I just started running again March after taking a break. I only ran one time after the Richmond Marathon, a difficult 8-miler a couple of weeks later, and then it got cold and as Andy told you all, I don’t do cold well.
The weather got warmer in March, so back to the running grind I went. Only this time, something was different.
I was much faster.
Like, MUCH faster. I was always a 10 minute mile runner on average. I’d be happy with a run if I finished in anything under 10 minute miles. A few times, I was able to push myself faster – like the Women’s Mini 10K in June 2010 and the 4 Mile Race to Deliver that November. Both those runs were extreme situations. During the first, I was pissed off and during the second, I was gunning for a PR. During both, I felt like death.
But now, I can run sub-9 minute miles and feel great the entire time.
I’m not entirely sure why this is.
My guess is that my newfound speed (relative, of course – I’m still not an actually FAST runner) comes from a combination of factors – the countless sprints and heart rate bursts at Refine Method, all the miles I logged during marathon training and the nice long rest I gave myself.
I signed up for a few 10ks – one in April, one in May, one in June and I plan to sign up for one in July when registration opens. My goal was to work up to a PR in the June 10K – the Women’s Mini 10k, exactly two years after my last PR in that race.
Once I realized I was naturally faster, I thought maybe I should try to PR in the Scotland Run. The thing is, I didn’t run very often and I didn’t do any type of training or speedwork. But I also knew, based on my recent runs, that I had it in me.
The night before the race, I was debating if I’d even go or not. I realized it started at 62nd street on the west side. I was at Andy’s old apartment on 95th and 3rd, the complete opposite corner of the park. The thought of spending money on a cab, dealing with coat check, getting back home after didn’t seem appealing. I went to bed not sure if I’d do the race. I made a playlist just in case though.
I woke up still not sure if I’d go, but once I got out of bed it was clear I was racing. I got ready, applied my company’s brand new BB Cream for the first time (I sound like an ad, but I really wanted to test this out at a time I needed SPF but wouldn’t wear real makeup) and headed out. A guy who was clearly also going to the race got on the elevator at a lower floor, and I asked him if he wanted to share a cab with me. Then I banged him.
Just kidding.
We did share the cab though, which made my stress about paying to go to the race disappear. I checked my coat and made it to the start with time to spare. It was a gorgeous, sunny, cool day and once I was around all the other excited runners, I was really happy I made the trek to this race. I felt really, really good.
And we were off.
I completed the first mile in exactly 9:00. That was my slowest mile of the race.
I’m sure you can see where this is going. Especially since I already gave it away in the title.
I seriously felt amazing the entire time. The first mile flew by which is always a good sign, and when I feel good I run faster. Central Park’s hills were rough as always but I pushed through. My iPod Nano got into Shuffle mode a few weeks ago and I forgot to try and fix this before the race. It took me a few songs to realize they were out of order, and once I did I was a little upset because Jesse from Flywheel introduced me to a really fun, fast song during his spin class that I wanted to hear – Press It Up by Sean Paul. I never did get to hear it during this race. But the music was still awesome.
It was around mile 5 that things got tough and I was ready for the race to end, which is funny because that was my fastest full mile of the race. As soon as the last mile started, I got nauseous. Very nauseous. I was pushing my body hard and it was time to be done. But I always finish a race strong, and this one was no exception. As much as I wanted to really sprint at the end, I did what I could knowing I had my PR.
Official NYRR time: 53:55
Official average pace: 8:42
To put this in perspective, I finished my first 10K in December 2009 in 1:03:22. And my 10K PR before this was 56:05. And I had just taken months off from running and didn’t train. I was beyond elated to finish this race and get my PR! I even walked back home after just to extend my happiness outside.
I also snapped this photo when I got back home to see how my BB Cream held up and also because I was very happy. The cream held up well during the race! I have chronic acne on my chin and you’d never know.
Back on topic.
This race made me crave a half marathon. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to find a convenient half anytime soon. They changed my beloved Queens Half Marathon (another surprise PR – I think I’m capable of more than I realize) to a 10K. I’m registered for the Newport Liberty Half Marathon in September (right by my new apartment and directly in front of my office) and the Richmond Half Marathon in November (I loved racing there so much last year, I can’t wait to get back) – and I WILL PR in one of those. If not both.
I just hope this newfound speediness doesn’t disappear as suddenly as it arrived.
I’m glad to be back in the racing game. I’ve said it before – I like racing more than I like running. Although now that I’m consistently getting splits in the 8s, I’m beginning to like running a whole lot more. Seeing improvement is the greatest form of motivation there is.
23 comments on Scotland Run 10K Race Recap – PR!
4Pingbacks & Trackbacks on Scotland Run 10K Race Recap – PR!
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[…] not sure, when she wakes up on race morning, if she plans to try and PR or not.Getting readySince I PR’d in a 10K last month and I hope to do so next month, I might as well have some coffee this morning. […]
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[…] signed up for this year’s, I had a PR in mind. I actually registered for three 10K races: the Scotland Run 10K, the Healthy Kidney 10K and the Women’s Mini 10K. My plan was to run the first two to get […]
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[…] I was slower than I had been in a long time.That was drastic change from April when I surprisingly PR’d in a 10K and in June when I placed second in my age group in a 5K. How did my running get so much worse when […]
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[…] When I reached 6 miles I had a thought… “Did I just beat my 10K PR?” […]
Stacy L.
May 1, 2012 at 1:06 pm (12 years ago)As a consistent 10-minute mile runner, this post just gave me hope. Like serious hope. I have 2 years until I hit my prime according to Born to Run. Hoping I can one day run sub 9s! (A slow poke can dream.)
Bari
May 1, 2012 at 2:00 pm (12 years ago)Congrats on that shiny new PR!!! I would love to be able to run that fast someday but the only time I’ve ever seen 8’s is when going downhill 🙂
Amber
May 1, 2012 at 2:41 pm (12 years ago)This is so exciting! You are going to have such a great year! And now I am wishing more than ever I had Refine Method. I want some speed! Way to go Dori!
NY Wolve
May 1, 2012 at 2:53 pm (12 years ago)Check out the Fairfield Half on June 24. It is right off the Metro North train, and a great race. Well organized, great fans, well run.
And I have run Scotland 3 times. Been rained on all three times, so jealous of your pics!
hefspider
May 1, 2012 at 3:11 pm (12 years ago)Great race report. My brother and his family all ran this race, too. Thanks for your playlist. Music is so motivating and I know exactly what you mean about not having the right song come on at the right time. I usually don’t have my iPod at a race, but I am always looking for upbeat music. I’m going to check out Press it Up.
You may relate to this blog entry: http://hellogiggles.com/the-tale-of-a-musically-dependent-exerciser.
Another great blog entry. Thanks. Congrats on the PR. As others said, gives hope to us slower runners.
p.s. Glad you’ll be back in Richmond for the half in November. You’re a celebrity here now.
Ellen
May 1, 2012 at 4:14 pm (12 years ago)I love Jesse and love press it up! Its amazing what endurance training does for your speed. I am trying refine on friday. I will let you know how it goes!
Ashley @ Hop Skip Jump
May 1, 2012 at 4:21 pm (12 years ago)Great Race!!!
Cameo
May 1, 2012 at 5:42 pm (12 years ago)Nice race! I totally agree with you that Refine helps with speed. I did an “adventure race” this weekend (kind of like a tough mudder) and it was 10-12K (not certain as there was a lot of places we got a bit lost) and I kept up with a dude the entire time. It felt like 8min miles. I didn’t train at all. Just went to Refine a lot. The other thing I notice with regard to the Running-Refine effect, is that I don’t get sore the same way I used to. No tension in my hip flexors (an old weak point) and very little hamstring issues…I used my glutes and abs I suppose!
Fiona
May 1, 2012 at 9:56 pm (12 years ago)Yeeehaaa!!!! (sorry, Nashville influence is still going strong!) so happy for your awesome speed – I always knew you were a fast runner!!
diana@mymarblerye
May 2, 2012 at 9:28 am (12 years ago)Awesome job!!!
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