Doonst does not get a PB at the Hannukah Hustle 10 K
Posted: Mon Nov 22, 2010 12:00 pm
I've been having fun this year, trying to do a little of everything distance wise. I did get a new 10 K PB last month at Ottawa Fall Colours, 45:00. As it was pretty hilly, I couldn't help thinking how much faster I could have been on a flatter course, 35 seconds, maybe 45? So I saw the Hannukah Hustle as one more chance to better that, and its a certified course.
I did give blood 13 days before (yes, I've used that excuse before) but I had been feeling pretty good. Most of my running lately had been easy trail runs, with lots of stopping to read maps and take pictures. When I tried a tempo, 6 days before the race and just after signing up, it was a disaster. It turned into intervals as I had to stop and catch my breath after any hard running. Uh-oh.
The wind is the issue at this race, and we got it medium good. I had done it 3 years ago, and it was windy out in the harbour. Arrived at the race with SO and the dog. Heather had agreed to watch a friend's twins as she raced. I had good chats with Mark 140.666 and Rick Ball before the race. They were saying on the lousdpeakers that the 5 K would go off right at 10 AM, and the 10 k at 10:10. Repeatedly. Heather seemed busy juggling the dog and the kids, so I decided to run my baggage back to the car, even if it meant missing the 5 K start.
Getting back just in time, someone told me they had switched the order, and that I was off at 10 sharp. Yikes! Just re-tied my shoes, and lined up. And we're off.
I felt good enough for the first K, mostly downhill. Speed seemed fine, maybe this will work out. Second K evened out, down from 4:16 to 4:28. Fine if I can keep it up, I was pacing myself for the distance. Then under the bridge to the harbour, and smacked with the wind. Stronger than I figured. Kms 3 and 4 were the worse. Losing speed and wearing myself out running straight into it. What can you do, every day is a winding road.
At 1.4 k I pulled up beside a guy, looked like my age. He saw me, and surged ahead. 2 minutes later, same thing, and repeat. By the 3 k mark, he had done this 4 times, I'm thinking, Buddy its a long race, chill out. By the 5th Km, we're talking, he thinks that split seems long. Hit the turnaround at 23 minutes, and never saw him again until after. Pretty obvious to me here that there would be no PB today.
As we see the leaders come back towards us, there is no Rick Ball. I know he was doing the 10 K, last thing he said was he was going out to do a warmup. Yes he missed the start because they switched the order, that did upset me. what a bush league move on the organizer's part.
(he did then run the 5).
Coming back was just a slog. Even going with the wind my pace didn't get better because I was worn out. Mostly 4:50s from 4 K on. I just felt tired. Lets call it half the wind and half my post donation condition. Still it didn't hurt or anything, just the numbers were depressing.
Finally it was over, I don't think anybody passed me in the second half. I didn't think I would place with such a performance, but it was tough out there for everybody. Turns out I got second in my age group, and my surging nemesis was third. (yes another second, seems like a lot of them lately) My watch measured 47:45, but the screwy results sheet said 46:50; everybody's were off in both races. Still no results online that I can find. One thing they got right: the Km markers were bang on, coming and going. I've never seen them so close, its like they used my Garmin to set them. Total distance I show as 10.03 K.
Anybody who got a PB today is doing great. I do think it was tougher going for the 10 than the 5, more time out in the harbour. Oh well, I'll call it this weeks tempo run.
I did give blood 13 days before (yes, I've used that excuse before) but I had been feeling pretty good. Most of my running lately had been easy trail runs, with lots of stopping to read maps and take pictures. When I tried a tempo, 6 days before the race and just after signing up, it was a disaster. It turned into intervals as I had to stop and catch my breath after any hard running. Uh-oh.
The wind is the issue at this race, and we got it medium good. I had done it 3 years ago, and it was windy out in the harbour. Arrived at the race with SO and the dog. Heather had agreed to watch a friend's twins as she raced. I had good chats with Mark 140.666 and Rick Ball before the race. They were saying on the lousdpeakers that the 5 K would go off right at 10 AM, and the 10 k at 10:10. Repeatedly. Heather seemed busy juggling the dog and the kids, so I decided to run my baggage back to the car, even if it meant missing the 5 K start.
Getting back just in time, someone told me they had switched the order, and that I was off at 10 sharp. Yikes! Just re-tied my shoes, and lined up. And we're off.
I felt good enough for the first K, mostly downhill. Speed seemed fine, maybe this will work out. Second K evened out, down from 4:16 to 4:28. Fine if I can keep it up, I was pacing myself for the distance. Then under the bridge to the harbour, and smacked with the wind. Stronger than I figured. Kms 3 and 4 were the worse. Losing speed and wearing myself out running straight into it. What can you do, every day is a winding road.
At 1.4 k I pulled up beside a guy, looked like my age. He saw me, and surged ahead. 2 minutes later, same thing, and repeat. By the 3 k mark, he had done this 4 times, I'm thinking, Buddy its a long race, chill out. By the 5th Km, we're talking, he thinks that split seems long. Hit the turnaround at 23 minutes, and never saw him again until after. Pretty obvious to me here that there would be no PB today.
As we see the leaders come back towards us, there is no Rick Ball. I know he was doing the 10 K, last thing he said was he was going out to do a warmup. Yes he missed the start because they switched the order, that did upset me. what a bush league move on the organizer's part.
(he did then run the 5).Coming back was just a slog. Even going with the wind my pace didn't get better because I was worn out. Mostly 4:50s from 4 K on. I just felt tired. Lets call it half the wind and half my post donation condition. Still it didn't hurt or anything, just the numbers were depressing.
Finally it was over, I don't think anybody passed me in the second half. I didn't think I would place with such a performance, but it was tough out there for everybody. Turns out I got second in my age group, and my surging nemesis was third. (yes another second, seems like a lot of them lately) My watch measured 47:45, but the screwy results sheet said 46:50; everybody's were off in both races. Still no results online that I can find. One thing they got right: the Km markers were bang on, coming and going. I've never seen them so close, its like they used my Garmin to set them. Total distance I show as 10.03 K.
Anybody who got a PB today is doing great. I do think it was tougher going for the 10 than the 5, more time out in the harbour. Oh well, I'll call it this weeks tempo run.
