Weather: Mostly Cloudy, 45°F, 81% Humidity, Wind: SSW @ 5 mph; feels like 42°F.Actual Run: 6.2 miles in :40:05 min. @ 9:00 a.m. + 2 mi. to and from the race location at easy pace (Total of 10.2 miles)
Pace: 6:27 min/mi. (10k run)
Course: The MedVed Lilac 10k as seen on USATF Map It!.
Pre-Run Ruminations: The thirtieth anniversary running of the Rochester Lilac 10k, this year (once again) sponsored by the good folks at MedVed. Initially I had not intended to run in the race, telling a friend that, as I'm trying to save pennies for what will be a tight summer, the race didn't seem worth the entry money--of course, now I realize that this was something of a foolish statement given the history (and proximity) of the race. This year, especially, the Lilac 10k (including a short run to the start/finish) neatly fits into this (my second to last) run of the training plan I have been following.So, what am I expecting? Last year at the same race, I ran :42:24, a pace of 6:50 per mile, and placed 99th out of 980+ participants. While I would like to improve on both my time and place, my longer term goal is to have a good run, enjoy the scenery and comfortably prepare running at the very least marathon pace (8:00), which would see me finishing roughly in the middle of the pack. This scenario was an easily attainable one, barring injury, and as was the case at the 5k for Kenya, given that I will be running (albeit at easy pace) to the start, it is probable that I will move much more quickly than the prescribed 8:00 mile pace.
There is also a 5k run beginning an hour prior which I may hustle out earlier to watch... and likely wish I had signed up for instead ;)
Post-Race Reflections: It turned out to be another day with nearly perfect weather conditions for a run and (like the Kenya 5k) I found myself hoping that there is a similarly cool semi-cloudy day for the marathon next week. I was fortunate to arrive at the start/finish just in time to see the 5k finish, one in which (I think) the course record was either tied or broken. There were some excellent athletes running the 5k and I admired the fact that quite a few were also doing a double-dip, running both the 5 and 10 runs!
I ran into a colleague prior to the start and found myself pacing off of him for the first two miles (Keeping him in my line of vision about twenty yards ahead and therefor within striking distance), and finally passed him for good at mile five. I felt as though I ran particularly well this morning and am happy to report that I came close to breaking the forty minute 10k, a feat I have yet to accomplish. I have not purposely trained to do so, but everything seemed to come together today to make that PR a real possibility.
This Lilac 10k is the largest annual running event (outside of the Corporate Challenge, I suppose) here in River City, so there were plenty of folks for whom I could cheer once I had finished, and likewise I was motivated by the gracious people who were also cheering for me--some by name, most just being cool and helping everyone out. All in all, I was glad I signed up and greatly enjoyed the positive energy of the race and my performance.
Final Outcome: Overall, I placed sixtieth out of 994 finsihers with an "official" time of :40:10, and sixth of 78 in my age group (M 35-39).
Breathe in, breathe out… YOU AND I ARE ALIVE!
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