today i raced my first 10k ever! cross another goal off the list for 2009 
i had been a little nervous to try out a 10k, because pretty much i knew it was going to be a painful 45-50 minutes. 5ks hurt, but they are over with really fast, and half marathons require more pacing and are slower. 10ks you are pretty much in the uncomfortably hard zone the whole time.
in my pftiz plan, it called for a tune up race of 8-10k for this weekend. i have always had a hard time finding good ones that fit in, especially on a saturday, so it would still work with my long run for the weekend. i lucked out and this one fit in perfectly.
the race didn’t start until 9 and was about a 45 minute drive from our house, so it was nice to get to wake up at 6 on a race morning, it felt like sleeping in! i checked the weather and it was pretty cold there, so i decided to go with capri tights, a short sleeve shirt and gloves since i knew it would be a shorter race too. this was also chris’s first race back post injury which was fun. it has been a long time since we have ran a race together!
we were on the road just after 7 and made it to davis by 8. it was really foggy and realllly cold. we went and got our packets and went back to the car and sat with the heater blasting for a bit. 20 minutes before race time we took off the layers and jogged over to the start line. the 5k had started earlier, so it was just the 10k racers lining up now. there were 560 total running the 10k, it wasn’t a huge race, but not the smallest ever either. we went towards the front and i found amy who was racing too easily. they counted down, the horn went off, and we were off!
since this was my first 10k i wasn’t too sure what my goal time was, in the least i hoped for a good lactate threshold effort, but i did want to have a good race also. i used a couple of calculators and came up with some goals of anywhere between 46 and 48 minutes (low 7:30-7:45ish paces) and tried to plan for that. i wanted to pace like i did my LT runs, and start off at the slower end and get faster as i progressed. well as you will see in my splits, that plan didn’t quite go as planned, it was more of a bell shaped effort, but whatever.
i took off fast and felt really good as soon as i started. i looked down a bit into the first mile and was running a 6:50 pace. oops. yah that is not going to be held for 6.2 miles aron. so i started backing off a bit trying to find my pace. we were on streets through residential areas for the first mile or so.
mile 1 – 7:24
ok that was a little too fast, so i tried to back off some so i had something left in the tank for the end of this race. we got on a paved bike bath somewhere in here, and would pretty much stay on it for the rest of the race. it wasn’t too crowded at all and really flat. we ran through some pretty parks, but really i wasn’t paying much attention to anything around me. i was in the zone, listening to my music and pushing hard.
mile 2 – 7:40
mile 3 – 7:39
during the 4th mile i got tired. i was working hard and i knew i was only just over half way done. i was trying to just focus on this mile and then after it, it would be only 2 miles to go. i could handle that. somewhere in here i got a grab on my arm and i turned and it was chris. i have him a little smile and he started talking to me, but i was not interested in conversation at that point. he ended up passing me and i could see him ahead of me for most of the race.
mile 4 – 7:46
ok only 2 to go! i can do this. i started getting a second wind and picking up the pace more. i was focusing on my stride and keeping my posture together. i had a great playlist going and just tried to keep zoning out to it.
mile 5 – 7:38
there was one small hill going up a little overpass on the course and of course they put it at mile 6. i pushed up hard and then used the downhill to my advantage trying to pick it up some more. i knew i was getting close! at this point i had had my garmin on the current lap screen just focusing on each mile, but i turned it to the overall screen and started doing some weird math to see where i would come in. of course it didn’t make much sense at the time. i started counting down to myself with .5 to go.
mile 6 – 7:29
i could see the finish line straight ahead. i looked at my watch and saw i was just over 46 minutes at this point, i knew i could come in under 47 if i pushed hard. i felt like i was giving it everything i had already, but as i was approaching the last .1 i was surrounded by 3 other females who looked like they could be in my age group. somehow i picked it up and passed them and crossed the finish line.
.2 – 1:24 (6:53 avg)
i felt sick immediately (hello almost puke threshold) but i took a second to catch my breath and walk around and felt better. ouch these races hurt. chris was right there waiting and we waited a minute for amy to cross the finish line. it was a great day for everyone!
i looked at my garmin and it said 47:00 flat. i was kind of irritated, but i knew i took a second before i pushed stop so i was reallllly hoping that it would be under 47 minutes in the official results. well….
6.2 miles/46:58.6/7:34 avg pace
overall: 207/560
age group: 4/114
yayyyyyy! i was stoked when i saw i was under 47 minutes and even more stoked when i saw i was 4th in my age group out of 114!!! that definitely made me happy. although i missed being top 3 again… one of these days i will get it!
i am really happy with this race. i felt like i really gave it a good effort out there, and despite some pacing issues, i was able to pick it up and finish really strong right in line with my goals. this was definitely a confidence booster and right where i want to be. i feel great today too, besides being a little sleepy (still catching up from thursday night), but my legs don’t feel bad at all. i have a long run tomorrow which will conclude week 1 on taper… only 2 more weeks to go!
You had never done a 10K before?
You did amazing, you're so speedy!
It sounds like your hubby is speedy too!
Great job!
Fantastically well done! I've never managed a 10K under 50 minutes so this is really impressive. All told – given that you were racing and didn't know the course – your pace is pretty even as well. Very confidence boosting for CIM!
Well done. Great effort. Congratulations.
what a superb debut 10k. very well done. good pacing as well, trying to hold yourself back a little at the begining is the hardest part in a 10k i think. Top 3 soon I imagine
awesome! i am doing my first 10K this week — just a random decision to do it w/ some family members! you did a great job with the distance
"Only" 560 running?! Here in Connecticut that's a large number of runners for a race! I'm not too crazy myself about 10K races for the reasons you mentioned. That being said, you did FANTASTIC! I wish I could run that fast for a 5K, never mind a 10K! How did Chris do? Can't wait to read about your marathon run few weeks. Please make sure you let us know if we can follow/stalk you for that run! Congrats again.
Congrats! I would love to see a sub-47 minute 10k. So excited for CIM for you.
Great job Aron! It's hard not to start too fast in these races, particularly since the Garmin needs to "wake up" and is not accurate in showing the pace for the first 50m or so. I really liked your description of the last couple of miles, and fighting to push in front of those AGers. Awesome!
AWESOME 10K! You really rocked it; I am so impressed by your spits. Huzzah!
Awesome job! Congrats on a great race. Sounds like you're more than ready for CIM!
Great 10k debut! You did amazingly and just think – if you can place 4th in your first 10k, you have so much potential to place even better in your next one! I can't wait to see your CIM results – good luck!
-00kate.com
Congratulations!! You had almost the perfect first 10k! Your speed still amazes me!
i can't believe you'd never done a 10k before! i love that uncomfortably hard pace you described
way to go!! you had a stellar race!
congrats, aron!
You did it right then, puke threshold, perfect! Nice job and I'm forever in 4th place too:( BUT I'm always happy when I've given it my all, that's all you ask.
Funny – I always hear people saying 10Ks are painful but I never understood why. Now I do.
)
And you did a great job – I've no doubt there's a top 3 finish waiting for you out there!!
Excellent!! You gave it everything and what a great time! That's racin'!
wow! great job!
wow Aron, congrats! Another amazing race for you, and great that your hubby is able to race again!
That is FAST! Wow, great job on your first ten K. And a great training run for you too. My goal is to break a 50min 10K, hopefully this year…
congrats on a great race! i'm really thinking its a good thing you decided to do this race instead of the run to feed the hungry on thanksgiving in sac since they are expecting over 30,000 participants this year. anyways, great job! you are an amazing runner! i'm sure there is a top 3 finish out there just waiting for you to find it — and a #1 spot too!
Great job on the 10k! That is smoking fast! Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
What a great benchmark for your 10k!!! You really held a soild pace. Congrats on getting another 2009 goal accomplished!!
I'm surprised you've never run one before. I like a 10K distance and have one this Thursday. I'm very impressed at your overall time and your splits weren't too bad at all. Great job!
see 10K's are TOUGH!! Way to rock it out girl. I always start fast and get slowerr as I go, I am impressed with people who can speed up at the end. We seriously would be perfect running partners, we are nearly the same pace..
Hugs to another goal!!
Yay, Davis Turkey Trot!! What an awesome first 10k and an amazing time. 4th in your age group too!!
Glad you had a great first 10k!
Great job, Aron!!!! I was there too! Woohooo!!!!
Davis Turkey Trot 2002 was my very first race ever! I did the 5k with my Dad.
I really should do a 10k sometime.
4th in your AG is awesome!!! Speedy Aron!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wow! Great race. How awesome to run that fast for your first 10K. The only down side, you ran so fast, now it will be harder to PR next time. Ha Ha You have the speed to do it. Congrats!
Oh yea, I forgot to say I loved reading "stoked." I love that word, but you really do not hear it much in the South. My college roommate was from Encinitis and used it often. I love it!
CONGRATS! Never tried a 10k, but they look like fun.
It's almost good to run till you feel sick means you gave it your all.
Good job on the time under 47 is pretty badass
congrats aron!! sounds like a great race all around – way to work the LT-ish pace
and wow 4/114! nicely done 
Awesome!! Congrats!!
CJ
Congrats! Sounds like a good race!
Nice race, super pace! I'm going back and forth with racing mine on Thursday! Did you feel pressure?
Outstanding race! Congrats- new PR!
awesome job. 4's my lucky number. I think we should start some sort of rally for a special prize for 4th place…I came in 4th in my age group 2 weekends ago!
CONGRATS GREAT JOB!
2 weeks to go! Great race time, too! Now you got me all nervous about my Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving! I don't wanna puke on Thanksgiving! LOL! Great job again, girly!
awesome job Aron!! 2 weeks!! eeeee!!!!!!!
Congrats!! Definitely a nice intro to the 10k!
Congrats on your first 10k! I like finding new distances to race — it's an instant PR!
Although my PRs are not nearly as fast as yours… Thanks for the inspiration!
hahaha. I like the 10K but we view the race differently. I dont feel the need to run it fast, unlike a 5K. And its must shorter than a 1/2 so it doesnt feel like a major distance to me
WOW! Excellent job!! Great pace!
Great race! I love when the chip falls in your favor.
~carpeviam
Good work! Awesome time for your FIRST 10k! I always say that I hate racing but looking at all of the reports and results from today I'm super jealous. I love the puke threshold too, I know exactly what you mean.
All those sub-8 min miles make it a speedy 10k! Sweet
Way to go on your first 10K! Great job!
4th in your AG? Wow, not bad for your first 10K, girl! And by not bad, I mean . . . INCREDIBLE JOB! You set the bar high there!
Hope the long run went well!
Congrats on your first 10K! Stellar time!!!
Congrats on a great race and an awesome finishing time! You are going to rock your marathon!
Great job on your 10K, you are ready for CIM!
You're so right…these races hurt! But you did awesome! Your speed is great and you're going to kick butt at CIM!
I'm requesting you as my pacer for my next 10k! Great job woman! Congrats!!!
Yay good job! 10ks are freaking hard. So fun, so cold and CIM is so soon! hahaha.
10ks are so bizarre. Seriously, I hate them but you did so good!
Congrats! Especially for your first one. I hate that mile 4, you're like dude, I'm so close but so far… ha ha ha 
Nice work and see you soon!
I've never done a 10k either! not sure if I have any interest. Haha. You rocked yours though. Amazing time and 4th place?!?!? HECK YA! Great job chica.
AMAZING job friend! You did great! 10ks really are the most evil of all road races }:)
Great race, Aron! The speedy legs are back! Great warmup race for the big one. Awesome job!
Congrats on the great race! I ran my first 10K not too long ago and had trouble pacing too. Great job & keep it up!!
Very cool you are running the 5k on Thursday, I'll be looking for you. Wish I knew what I was wearing so I could tell you. Good luck, I know you will be super fast!
Wow! You are speedy indeedy!
Wow, really that was your first 10K ever? Congratulations!!! Yup, 10Ks are hard. All out effort for 6.2 miles? Yuck. You did great though!