Another Race

Sarah and I found ourselves in familiar territory this morning. Both of us got up early on a Saturday for a run. This time, however, we weren't meeting for a group run, though there were lots of people from TNT there. This morning was the Knoxville Expo 10k. Our first race since the marathon in Nashville. To be honest, I was a little nervous going in, not for the distance, I was confident I could complete the course. I was more worried about my time.

In the four weeks since Nashville, I've only run three times, with the longest being 3.5 miles. Each time, my pace was a little on the slow side. For some reason, I have this need to complete 5k in under 30 minutes and, as a result, 10ks in under 1 hour. I wasn't sure going in if I would meet that goal. The race started at the Knoxville Civic Coliseum (actually, above it heading downhill towards town). Shortly after 8, the race was on. The temperature was warm (I'd say close to what we started with in Nashville). I'd estimate the crowd at about 1,000+.

The first mile took us to Gay Street and over the Gay Street Bridge. It was crowded as most of the races are at the start. Everyone is jockeying for position, passing some people who were really had no business being as close to the front as they were (walking within the first mile). But still, after 8:35 the first mile was done and not a bad start.

The second mile took us across the bridge and down Sevier Avenue towards South Knoxville and Island Homes. Fairly flat, but somewhat out in open. During this time, we passed the split for the 5k runners (they headed back to the finish line). This provides a little sense of accomplishment as I recall a time when I would have only done the 5k, not feeling ready for the "big league" of the 10k. From there, we broke off into the Island Homes Neighborhood. It's a this point that I see the leader for the 10k returning back towards the finish line. I'm still maintaining a good pace with an 8:40 mile (17:16 overall). I'm still on pace to be below 1 hour.

Mile 3 was the first time to slow for water, by now the sun was out and starting to get warm. The Island Home neighborhood provided shade and was scenic. an 8:50 mile (26:05 overall). I was feeling confident that I would be under an hour.

Mile 4 was continued in Island home, we started to head back towards the finish line retracing the course already run. Upon leaving Island Homes, we were out in the sun. 9:10 mile. Mile 5 things really started to get warm and the pace was slowing to 9:23. With 1.2 miles left, my time was 44:40.

Mile 6 provided the biggest challenge of the race. A short steep hill we had run down during mile 2 had to be run back up. This was the only time I had to slow to walk, there was a water station at the bottom of the hill, I ran for a short distance, then returned to a walk at the crest of the hill to catch my breath, then a run back across the river. Turning back towards the Coliseum, the finish line was in sight, though the last mile took me 9:54, with a overall time of 54:34, I knew I was good. The final .2 miles were almost all downhill. I complete that in 1:47. For an unofficial chip time of 56:22 (the gun time on the clock was close to 56:40).

So, my 2nd 10k is in the books. I'm really proud of Sarah as she completed the race as well (her 2nd longest race). We both agree that we needed this race to jump start our fitness plans that hae been a little dormant for the past month, The next race for us is the Fireball 5k on July 3rd.

Back in the Saddle Again

So, 15 days later. My first post-marathon run tonight.

2 miles. It felt good to get back out on the pavement. I felt a little nervous starting out and I felt a little tired after about 1/4 of a mile, but found my pace shortly thereafter. I kept a good pace as both miles clocked in at 9:26.

Less than 2 weeks to the next big race... The Knoxville Expo 10K.