had one of the best races of my life today at the BAA 10k and I got a new 5 minute PR!
I wasn’t looking forward to this race at all–my dad got married last night so I didn’t eat well and drank some yesterday, and only got a few hours of sleep. I woke up at 6 and ate a banana and took the T to the common, I got there at 7:15, picked up my t shirt, checked my gear, and then waited in line for the bathroom for about 30 minutes while I drank about ¾ a bottle of water. at this time it was about 70 degrees out, and it was forecasted to be about 83.
I seeded myself in the 9:00-9:59 corral, simply because I don’t like to have to weave too much. it was really crowded (about 8,000 runners) so I was happy when we finally got moving. I didn’t really have any goals or expectations, I just wanted to run the entire thing and not have to stop for walk breaks.
I love this race because it’s run on streets I know well and it’s an out and back, which is my favorite. I felt really steady for the first 2 miles and my pace was 9:46 and 9:50 which I was happy with! At about mile 2, I saw Shalane coming the other way which was super cool! She went on to break her own American record and ran a 30:52😳
Mile 3 clocked in at 9:54, and I hit the turnaround. When we turned around the sun was right in my face and it was HOT. I really really hate stopping for water because it usually makes me feel sick to drink mid run, and I didn’t in this race, but I saw at least 2 people passed out from the heat which was really scary.
Mile 4 was a 10:02 and then My stomach really started to hurt. I really wanted to stop and use the bathroom but I knew I could PR if I kept this pace so I just held it. I felt like I really slowed down but mile 5 was a 10:07! Mile 6 draggggggged, and I actually ran 6.3 not 6.2, and my last mile was my slowest at 10:14, which I was still super happy with! I crossed the finish line in 1:02:46, which is 5 minutes better than my previous time of 1:07:43, and I was thrilled!
I got my medal and water and Gatorade! I also got 2 protein bars, a banana, and a pint of blueberries and then headed to the finish area to see Shalane and Amy Cragg being honored for coming in 1st and 3rd, I was so close and it was awesome! After, I actually got to talk to Amy and wish her luck in Rio!!
The BAA always puts on an awesome race, and this was no different. It’s organized, efficient, and fun, and I definitely got my money’s worth! 2/3 of the Distance Medley down, 13.1 to go in October!