Friday, July 4th, Kattie and I went out to Stayton, about 15 miles east of here, to celebrate America and run our little hearts out before we commenced drinking and eating our way through the long weekend. It was the annual, old fashioned Stayton Forth of July Run. Kattie was there for a fun 5k, I wanted to see if I could post a decent 10k time. I'd never run a road 10k (or even a kind of flat one for that matter) but I had a rough goal in mind based primarily on training runs. I wanted to run 5:35-40ish miles for a sub 35:00 finish.
We arrived early and walked the dog, stretched a bit then I warmed up with Dan M. and Bill. The race was very old-timey with just a couple of cones and a clock in the start/finish area. There were Boy Scouts decked out in uniform all over the course as this was their gig. It was simple and perfect for getting that old fashioned American pride stoked up on her big day.
The start was fun with 10k-ers, 5k-ers and 3k-ers all blitzing out of the parking lot and onto the roads at the same time. We began to split up very soon and I could see who all was in the lead pack of 10k-ers. I cruised through the first mile or so in 3rd as the pace was quicker than I needed to be moving and it was early. And hot. By the 9:00 start it was already in the 70s.
Caught up to 2nd place guy and moved right past him as he seemed to be getting a reality check on the 5:15-20ish pace and adjusting a bit too. First place dude seemed out of reach and moving strong. By a turnaround on an out and back portion of the course around maybe mile 2.75 he seemed to be faltering a bit. Should I stick to my plan or go for it? Guts. Glory. 'Merica.
I past him just past the 5k mark. It was short lived as he made a quick move to not let me get away. He got right in front of me and tucked in for a draft down a hill and starting an uphill (the course had 200-250' of elevation gain according to course description). He began to slow so I went around him again. He didn't take well to this and went around me and got right in front of me again. And slowed a bit. This happened probably 3-4 times over the first half of mile 4. This sort of game never really happens in trail races I've done and I began to feel like a move needed to be made. I passed him and hit things a bit harder after I saw (I had to scroll through the watch as I hadn't felt a buzz, indicating mile laps, the entire race so far) that we were with a mile and a half of the finish. I thought it was early to make a move but after deliberating mentally I decided I wanted this.
I was able to secure a good lead by mile 5 but he was definitely still a threat so I pushed and pushed through the long, straight, and hot stretch back towards the finish. Rounding a couple of corners I knew I had it and pushed for the finish in a controlled pace wondering if this course was short or if we were going to have to do a little .2mile loop there in the parking lot. It was short and I ended up crossing the line in 32:49. I had pushed hard but felt very good at the finish. I hadn't out-done myself by any means and I think there is some more potential in there. Results: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B2EJ8zFUPiLqMHlYUExuTlp5cG8/edit.
Kattie had done well in her 5k despite being very hot. The morning run behind us we cooled off and were ready to celebrate the holiday.
Superfans, if you want it--go for it. It can and will be yours!
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