[10k Race Recap] Spoiler Alert: I Ran Really Fast

4.10.2014


Running marathons messes with your mind.

The moment you start saying things like, "It's only a 10k," do yourself a favor, and punch yourself in the face. Seriously, who says that?

Stupid marathon.

I went into this race (my first of 2014) having zero expectations except the hopeful dream of a PR (personal record, for those of you non-running folk). In my case a PR would be anything better than 56:21, which I clocked during this same race in 2012.

Thanks to the Great Freeze of 2014, I've been running mainly on the treadmill, and when I do run outside, I haven't been taking my Garmin. As I've mentioned multiple times, last year was an intense twelve months of running for me, and I have been greatly enjoying the luxury of basically no schedule at all except that I go when I want to.

That all being said, going into this race I had no idea how fast I should expect to be able to run 6.2 miles. Heck, I'll be honest and tell you that I hadn't run farther than 6 miles since my marathon on December 31. I wasn't all that nervous (it was "just" a 10k, after all), but I did want to at the very least better my time from two years ago.

I was completely alone for this race, hence the pre-race selfie.
___________

I started with the 9-minute/mile group, thinking I could stay with them for sure and have a good chance of a PR. But then the gun went off, and I broke the cardinal rule of running: Don't start too fast. What can I say? It was my first race of the season! I got excited and said to heck with it and sprinted off. (Do not try this at home, people!)

I'm not positive, but I honestly don't think I got passed by more than 2 or 3 people the whole race. I was feeling really good and just kept getting faster and faster, as evidenced by my mile splits. I don't know what came over me.


Mile 1: 8:37
Mile 2: 8:27
Mile 3: 8:21
Mile 4: 7:56
Mile 5: 7:47
Mile 6: 7:36

Around mile 4 is when I really started to feel it, but by that point I was pretty much almost done, so I powered through and kept picking people off one by one. 

Then, around mile 5, the end-of-race shouts started. Have I talked about my shouting yet?

Basically, near the end of a race, when I'm really tired, I yell things. If you happened to be running next to me during a shouting phase, you'd hear a lot of, "LET'S DO THIS!" and "BRING IT HOME!" and "YOU GOT THIS!" I'm very intense. 

When there's a hill, I usually shout something like, "I LOVE HILLS!" This is a lie, obviously, but for some reason I find this encouraging. People are probably staring at the crazy shouting girl, but if I've started shouting then I'm usually just trying not to throw up everywhere, so I don't care what anyone thinks of me.

With the finish line in sight, I started sprinting. I also kept shouting and passing people, because, well, once the shouting starts, I'm unable to control it. 

There was just one guy in front of me, and I decided to pass him before the finish. Except when I came up behind him shouting, "COME ON!" he shouted back, "YEAH LET'S GO! LET'S SPRINT TO THE FINISH!" It kind of startled me, to be honest. I'd never gotten a response before. Then he sped up real fast, and I had to speed up my already fast sprint to keep up. Dying.

So that's how I ended up crossing the finish line almost stride by stride with this guy: 
I love this picture because it looks like I'm flying!
Also, confession: I'm a creepster and looked up that guy on the race results. Dude is 47!
I can only hope I'm still this fast in twenty years.
___________

After we crossed, we high-fived each other, and then I almost keeled over. I saw on my Garmin later that I'd run the last quarter mile at 6:45 pace! Holy speedy. It blows my mind that people run faster than that for an entire marathon.

My official time was 50:20, almost exactly six minutes faster than my time two years before. I finished 8th in my age group and #35 out of 547 females! It really is encouraging to look back and see how much faster I've gotten just with consistent running. I know some runners don't care about time, but I can't lie to you guys. I totally care about the time. No shame.

Even though I've run four times as far before, that does not make this medal any less special. Each race is so different and so fun, and it reminds me all over again what a special community running is and how fantastically awesome it feels to cross that finish line, no matter whether it's 1 mile or 6.2 or 26.2.

Anyone race recently or have any races coming up?
Anyone else shout random crap while they're running, or is it just me?
shelleystirs said...

5 k in 16 days. Ugh. I'm just hoping to run a decent time. The great freeze has thrown off my training, since I don't have a treadmill.

I'm one of those people who cares about time, but I'm competitive with myself.

Al@PolkaDotsandPaisley said...

I signed up for my first 10k a few days ago. I hope to someday be fast but tonight it took me almost as long to run 5k as it took you to run that 10. Wow! Impressive time.

Allie @ Everyday Adventures said...

Wow, that's awesome you did so well! And I love that you yell "I LOVE HILLS!" haha! I don't like to run, but I do shout things at my Pilates videos. The instructor will say things like, "Don't give up, only ten more!" and I'll respond with things like, "I'M DYING, YOU ARE TERRIBLE, DON'T MAKE ME DO THIS."

Beka @ Sunshine to the Square Inch said...

Love the shouting! Yes, I shout! Also, when me and my friend did treadmill runs we would both have headphones in but for some odd reason we felt the need to clap loudly for each other. We never cared what all those other gym members thought. I'm sure they wished someone would clap for them, right?

Good job on the PR! That's super fast and you did great.

Unknown said...

I can just picture (well, hear) you screaming "I LOVE HILLS!". I wish more people shouted like you at races. :)
And congrats on the results! It must've felt great! My next race is in a month, and it's my first 10k. I'll try the shouting if I ever need to and think about you. :)

Bailie @ The Hemborg Wife said...

I love the camaraderie of that picture of the two of you!

Brandi said...

Congrats! The 'shouting phase' is hysterical! If I ever ran a race, it would have to be with you...if I could keep up that is! :)

Fox In Training said...

I was one of the 547 females! What a great performance you had. I love the "Proof" on the photos. It's like, "Yeah, I did that. That's me!" This was also my first race of 2014, and I just went out to have fun. My PR is 1:06:34 from last fall when I was trained up for the Tulsa half. I came in at 1:08:20 and had a great time! The rain was a little chilly once we stopped, but so much better than the last time I ran the Red Bud in 2011 (80+ degrees!).

I'm running the OKC half with my sister who is running her first. This has let me kind of cruise through training without having to push hard. It's been fun! I'm looking at getting speedier following this half with a long-term goal of running the full in OKC next year. Nervous!

Breenah A said...

Woo hoo!

Ali said...

Dang girl, that's speedy! Especially for your first time out this year! I seriously laughed out loud at your shouting. I've never done that, maybe I'll have to try.

My first race of the year is in 2 weeks. A little 5K, but I'm excited!

Jessica said...

I actually laughed out loud reading about your screaming :D That is the best thing I have ever heard of !!! You killed it. So excited for you. I also love that you admit to loving speed!!! I try to talk myself out of caring SO much but I love it too. It just proves how much you improve.

Katie said...

that is awesome! way to go! I love your random shouting and want you to be my running partner. although I'd probalby die. and that made me laugh about "it's only a 10K." marathons really do ruin you :)

Tracy said...

Wow is all I can say. You were certainly flying at the end. Congratulations!

Anonymous said...

YOU ARE AWESOME! I love it! I've never run a race with any shouters, but I feel like it would be really motivating. :)

Anonymous said...

Good for you!!! I like that you got a response from that guy. And I love that you shout. I want to start shouting when I run my little 5K's. I bet I'll be faster for it.

-Amy

Jennifer Prod said...

oh gosh, i would love to run beside you and hear you shout out 'i love hills' - i'm pretty sure it would set me off laughing and then propel me to go faster faster faster to catch up and convince you to be my friend :)

Holly said...

I'm running a 5K tomorrow after just finishing the 10-miler on Sunday and I have said multiple times this week "That's ok, it's only a 5K"....and I'm pretty sure I'm nuts. Last year I was struggling with those!!! Amazing what hard work will do. Good for you for running so fast!! And yeah I love yelling at other runners on the course...it makes the race more fun :)

Courtney Rose said...

Congrats girly! If I was running next to you and heard you yelling I would probably keel over with laughter! Not to make fun, but when I workout and things get tough I tend to laugh...strange I know but that would probably send me over the edge! Or maybe make me keep going! Haha!

Sarah said...

Hey hey speedster! Negative splits and all! That is awesome!!! I do the yelling too, I swear it helps.

Rachel G. said...

Well that is just crazy fast! You go girl! I too yell my last mile or so....it was awkward at first, but whatever...

Jenny Fish said...

Can we please run a race together sometime? I need someone to yell encouraging things at me for the last mile , haha. Those are awesome split times - way to go!

17 Perth said...

Woo woo!! Super awesome! And congrats--that's a freaking great time! And you yell stuff. My favorite part of this whole post, with the exception of the sprinting photo. Good stuff.

17 Perth said...

P.S. Your splits are killer!! Great job!

Unknown said...

Congrats on the PR! I saw that a few of my Instagram buddies did this race too! I might have to put it on my race list for 2015!

Joy @ TheJoyOfHope21.blogpot.com said...

Congrats on the PR! Way to run! I wish I could have been a person towards the finish line witnessing your shouting duel with the other runner, but I may have also been startled. :-) One of these days, I will participate in some sort of organized race for kicks.

Katie Dupre said...

Hey, congrats! That's amazing! I had a bit of a triumph of my own a few weeks ago at the Color Me Rad in Tulsa! I have been running/walking on the treadmill as much as I can, and even though I walked pretty much the whole 5k, I shaved 5 whole minutes off my time! Also, on the treadmill the other day, I had to kick up my speed by half a number (from 5 to 5.5--don't get too excited, I'm still slower than a sloth) to be comfortable running. It's amazing how much just being consistent can really get you in shape!

Rachel said...

Congrats!! I'm getting a little more interested in races now because of Angel--though only from the standpoint of observer! That sure sounds fast to me, and congrats for getting 8th in your age group! Angel DEFINITELY cares about times so I can understand that.

Ashley {in MKE} said...

I've never been able to shout at myself during races, but I have had people shout at me. Awesome PR! If you're ever in the Chicago area, we should do a 10K together! I have a feeling you would be super motivating for me. :)

Laurie Tomlinson said...

Confession: I'm not much of a swearer, but at the end of the Tulsa Run, there used to be this MONSTER hill on mile 9 that goes up even further once you think you've reached the top. A girl and I may or may not have screamed that the hill was our bitch. :)

Unknown said...

Well done!! I have very limited race experience, really just one Zombie Run I did with my sister. I did love the sense of camaraderie there is between participants at the end though. Maybe I'll be shouting at the end of my next race in July, maybe I'll just be gasping for breath. Time will tell lol.

The Lady Okie said...

haha! That's awesome :)

The Lady Okie said...

That is awesome! Oh my goodness I loved running the OKC full. It's a fantastic course with so much crowd support! You should definitely go for it. Congrats on your Red Bud finish! The rain was a bit chilly, but better than the heat for sure :)

The Lady Okie said...

Yes! Sarah, you definitely should. It's a good course, and lots of people come out and cheer from their driveways, which is fun.

The Lady Okie said...

I would love LOVE to do a race in Chicago. Oh my gosh bucket list for real.

Kerry @ Till Then Smile Often said...

Girl that is fast! I have a side stitch just from reading it. I have a fun 5k Color run coming up in 2 weeks but I don't think they time them.

Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC said...

Whew! Speedy lady -- I LOVE that pic and congrats on a great race!

Daleian said...

I ran a 10k at the end of March. I hope I can be that fast someday! You had to be flying! :)

I just thought you should know I nominated you for the "Very Inspiring Blogger Award" because your posts are so great and it makes me so happy to read you blog. So, thank you!

Anonymous said...

Awesome job on the negative splits, Amanda, and congrats on your swift finish!

Kelsea said...

That is seriously impressive, especially to get faster as you go! Congrats!

Kristin said...

Oh my goodness, you are awesome!! I would LOVE to have split times like that!! You go!

Jenna Griffin | Gold & Bloom said...

you inspire me to get out there and run! it's so impressive! i'm at the stage where if i run for like 10 seconds i'm out of breath!

Unknown said...

you're amazing. I can't even walk up our stairs without having to stop for a water break.

Erika from America said...

I absolutely LOVED reading this! I'm not athletic or a runner, but I loved reading your experience. Your times are AMAZING! And shaving SIX MINUTES off of your personal record? THAT'S CRAZY! But I think my favorite part was the end, when that guy totally was like, "YEAHHHH!" and helped push you to go even faster at the end. INSANE. INSANE. I loved that!

You should totally be proud! This is a MAJOR accomplishment and when you were listing all of the stats at the end (like #35 out of 547), I totally had a geeky grin on my face! *VIRTUAL HIGH FIVE*

-- Erika from America

Unknown said...

I LOVE THAT GUY!!!!! AND YOU!!!! Seriously, sending you major virtual fist pumps and high fives because you are a champion! Reading this made me smile so much :) Congratulations!

Tamara said...

I love that you shout at yourself when you run! I've done that from time to time (I once screamed at the clouds to bring on the rain because I wasn't scared!) - I think when you're in the run, it just happens. Also, I've lied to myself numerous times when it comes to loving hills.

And you're totally flying! Glad you had such a great race!

Tara said...

Congrats on such a great race!!! I love the ending :)

I yell when I'm running... at my dog. But instead of yelling "NO!" like a normal person, I usually say "HEY!" to get him to stop doing whatever it is he isn't supposed to. I'm sure that people think I'm nuts for "hey"-ing all over the neighborhood...

Claire@MyDevising said...

What a fun race! I have maybe only done 2 or 3 10k races, but I think that may be my favorite distance. Just enough to feel "long," but short enough to not make me not feel like intense training has to happen. I'm definitely looking forward to running again once this baby arrives. :) Congrats on a great time!

Miss Nutralicious said...

Dang Lady Okie, you are fast! Also, I like your style!

My style: Starting out too fast? CHECK! Feeling like I'm going to throw up? CHECK! Being a creepster and searching for people in race results? CHECK! End-of-race shouts and finish line high fives? Unfortunately no :(

Thanks for giving me two new things to add to my training routine!

Taylor said...

hahaha, you are AWESOME. and inspiring. i love this because i probably can't run for 10 mins straight without dying. and that, my friend, is why you are awesome. :)

Alicia | Jaybird said...

YOU ARE AMAZING! This whole thing made me crack up but also totally admire your enjoyment of running as well as your speedwork. Dang, girl. I can only hope to be as fast as you some day...give me a couple years to train, and don't get any faster in the meantime. ;) The end-of-race shouts are not something I've heard about before but I would totally love it if someone were doing that with me! Maybe not if they came up behind me, hootin' and hollerin', but if we were going up a hill or sprinting to the finish? I'd like the extra encouragement.

Curly Pink Runner said...

wooohoooo!! you go girl! great photo-- you DO look like you're flying!!

Amber Marie said...

Dude. You kicked butt! And since I've been running hills, I think about you almost every time I ascent one because I remember you writing about shouting, so I adopted the technique as well-totally effective! Super proud of you, my friend. :)

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