Saturday, July 15, 2006
ATC Decatur-Dekalb YMCA 4M
#9853 4M 32:36
I noticed this race on the Atlanta Track Club schedule on Thursday, but had not really intended on doing it so I ran my normal 7.25 miles on Friday morning. As the day wore on however I started to get that itch to go run a race. Then last night when before I went to bed, I decided to go give it my best shot. I figured that I would probably have a hard time, but I would give it my best effort. I run every other day runner and always take the day off before a race (or do a short easy run if I absolutely have to get out there.)
The race is over near the Emory University Campus, just down the street from the Rainbow Natural Food Store. I got there in plenty of time, signed in, got my race number. I lined up in a decent spot near the front. I did not want to be right at the front because I was not figuring to be very fast. I was just out to have a good time.
The race started promptly at 7:30 AM and I promptly forget that I was planning to take it easy. I fell into a good pace and was shocked when at the first mile they were calling out time to find that I had done a 7:34 /mi. It was already well over 80 degrees at the start of the race and I began to feel both the heat and the miles from the day before. The course was also a very hilly one. By the end of the second mile, my pace had fallen to over 8:30 /mi. I had passed many folks on miles one and two, but by the third mile, folks were starting to pass me. I had to suck it up, let them go, and focus on just finishing the race.
I was tired as I rounded the last corner and headed for the finish. I felt a lot more worn out than when I finished the Peachtree. I could not have been more surprised that my time was 32:36, which meant my average pace was 8:09 /mi. (My pace on the Peachtree was 8:47 /mi; my goal 10K pace is 7:53/mi).
It is a pretty course through tree shaded neighborhoods, but there were some significant hills. The Track Club, as always, did a wonderful job of organizing and hosting the event. (#9853)
I noticed this race on the Atlanta Track Club schedule on Thursday, but had not really intended on doing it so I ran my normal 7.25 miles on Friday morning. As the day wore on however I started to get that itch to go run a race. Then last night when before I went to bed, I decided to go give it my best shot. I figured that I would probably have a hard time, but I would give it my best effort. I run every other day runner and always take the day off before a race (or do a short easy run if I absolutely have to get out there.)
The race is over near the Emory University Campus, just down the street from the Rainbow Natural Food Store. I got there in plenty of time, signed in, got my race number. I lined up in a decent spot near the front. I did not want to be right at the front because I was not figuring to be very fast. I was just out to have a good time.
The race started promptly at 7:30 AM and I promptly forget that I was planning to take it easy. I fell into a good pace and was shocked when at the first mile they were calling out time to find that I had done a 7:34 /mi. It was already well over 80 degrees at the start of the race and I began to feel both the heat and the miles from the day before. The course was also a very hilly one. By the end of the second mile, my pace had fallen to over 8:30 /mi. I had passed many folks on miles one and two, but by the third mile, folks were starting to pass me. I had to suck it up, let them go, and focus on just finishing the race.
I was tired as I rounded the last corner and headed for the finish. I felt a lot more worn out than when I finished the Peachtree. I could not have been more surprised that my time was 32:36, which meant my average pace was 8:09 /mi. (My pace on the Peachtree was 8:47 /mi; my goal 10K pace is 7:53/mi).
It is a pretty course through tree shaded neighborhoods, but there were some significant hills. The Track Club, as always, did a wonderful job of organizing and hosting the event. (#9853)
