Embarcadero 10K - Race Recap & Follow on Training Run

The AIDS Marathon Training schedule had us at a 10 mile run this week, but I really wanted to get a 10k in the first quarter of 2008 to stay true to my strategy. I postponed it as far as I could, which is how I chose the Embarcadero 10k on March 30 - but then had a conflict. Could I completed a 10k, then follow on with a 4 mile run to round out a 10 mile run? I found out.

I started out pretty strong, running consistantly the first 1.6 or 1.7 miles. That's pretty consistant with my training up to now - I can go at about a 10 min/mile pace for about 2 miles. I did cramp up in my left calf - I had expected it and tried to stretch it out, but I guess not quite enough.

I got behind these three ladies that were running a 5:1 split, with a good pace in the 9:30 range when running, and followed their lead through the turnaround, and back to the water just after mile 4. That moved along pretty well, but when I stopped for water, they kind of took off, and I didn't see them anymore.

I finished the 10k at the 1:03 (validating) mark, and paused my Nike + while I got a cup of water. I was a little embarrassed that I finished after they had started giving out the awards, but that was enough to motivate me into doing the follow up 4 miles!

I started out heading back the way of the race, knowing that I just had to get to where the water stop was and back. As I did, I say a hot dog stand, and memories of my childhood rushed into my head, and I started jonesing for a hot dog.

I made the decision that that spot was going to be where I finished, and I had to do that fuzzy math... what is half way from 6.9 miles to 10 miles, so I know when to turn around. I averaged, and decided that I would turn around at 8.5.

When I got back to the water stop, I realized I was only at 8.25. And there it was, Pier 23, jutting out into the bay, and I headed down, and paused for the breifest of seconds to admire the view of the Bay Bridge and take a look at the Golden Gate bridge in the distance, then headed back. You can see the my waterstop show up at the 8.5 mark.

After that, I just kept running, running, running. I actually finished up the 10 miles right before the hot dog stand, when a group of tourists got in my way, so they probably thought I just gave up when I got stuck behind them, but I was actually done. I was very surprised at my time - 10:19 min per mile! I did pause the Nike twice - the water at the 10k finish and a bathroom break about 7.5 or so. I don't think that the combined total of that was 5 minutes or so.

I did wolf down 2 hot dogs - but given that I burned 1,100 calories, I think that's ok. I was surprised to realize that I had run by the famous Fisherman's Wharf TWICE before realizing where I was! That gave me a little chuckle.

Overall was a very good day.. Race and a Training Run - mission accomplished!