Race for Literacy 10 Miler

Quick post to record details of yesterday’s tremendous 10 Miler in Suffolk, VA — the 2009 Race for Literacy. If you didn’t venture out to Suffolk for this great race, I would definitely recommend adding it to your calendar for next year.

As for my race, going into it I wasn’t sure what to expect. I’d only logged two “long” runs of 10 and 14 miles and knew endurance would be a factor. I was also unsure of a goal pace to shoot for, but kept a challenging 6:30 per mile in the back of my mind just in case things went well.

I arrived fairly early, registered and headed out for an easy three mile warm up with Fergie (who incidentally is in fine form at the moment and keeps getting better with every race). We ran the first mile or so of the course, chatting away before realizing we’d covered over 1.6 miles and needed to turn back. The pace felt brisk, brisker than I would have liked, but not uncomfortable. Turns out we’d logged a couple of just over 7 minute miles without thinking about it.

Back at the car I stretched, changed into my race gear and waited for Ally to return from her extended four mile warm up. I also had time to watch the end of the Kids Mile and chat to a few friends as we waited for the off.

The first mile felt good as I concentrated on my form and tried to get into a rhythm. Fergie looked comfortable leading the field as I settled in to about 5th place behind a couple of guys and eventual female winner Kelly Taylor. The first mile split was a little quick (6:15) but I wasn’t worried at this stage in the game — plenty of time to slow things down. Mile two headed out to the TCC and by this time I’d caught the leaders and was in my own little zone. 6:08 was probably much too quick this early in the race, but it felt good and I just went with it. Great to see Ally and DailyMiler John A as I headed back to the three mile mark.

The next two or three miles are a bit of a blur. I remember wishing it was a shorter race — an 8k would have been nice — but I dug deep and tried to enjoy the tremendous neighborhoods we ran through and slight breeze off the James River. I think at this point Joel (wearing the William and Mary singlet) was leading with Kelly Taylor and myself battling it out for 2nd and third, closely followed by Fergie and a couple of others. Kelly was naturally leading the women’s race and looking strong. Splits for three, four and five — 6:17, 6:19 and 6:14.

Foolishly I’d skipped the second water stop, and with temperatures rising, I was now desperate for a drink. I asked one of the bike leaders where the next drink table was located, but she wasn’t sure and offered me a sip from her bike water bottle. Just as I declined for fear of an “outside assistance DQ”, we both spotted the six mile mark and a group of enthusiastic volunteers at a water stop. Perfect timing! That’s me on the left, trying to drink on the run without spilling a drop. Thanks to Billy Chorey for taking the pic and providing much needed encouragement on the course!

The six mile split was a solid 6:18, but more importantly, the cup of water perked me up and I decided to go after William and Mary guy. Step by step I tracked him down, but it was more him fading than me getting quicker. Mile seven was another 6:18 and I was relieved to only have another three miles to go.

The next mile or so took place in another impressive neighborhood and around the South Links Circle. I must admit I was really tempted to look behind, but knew at the nine mile mark there was a turnaround point and if I could wait that long, would get to see whomever was my closest rival. Things were getting tough, but I reminded myself that only 4 weeks ago I was resigned to watching the Rock ‘n’ Roll 1/2 Marathon from the sidelines and how lucky I was to be racing again. Despite the difficulty in keeping the cadence going, the 6:19 eight mile split showed only minimal slowing down and gave me confidence I could last another two miles.

After one more much-needed cup of water, we left the neighborhood for the last time, and I knew there was only just over a mile to go. At the turnaround point, just past mile nine (6:21), Fergie was right behind me — closer than I thought and looking very strong. I dug really deep and gritted it out along Harbor View Drive, thinking that any minute Fergie would charge past and pip me to the post. Finally the finish line was in sight and there was enough left in the tank to kick it in and punch the air in the delight — I’d won my first race of 2009 and totally exceeded all expectations I’d had about the race.

I’m not usually a showy guy, and I hope my celebrations didn’t offend, but I must admit it was difficult not to contain my emotion after being out for six weeks with a stress fracture and spending the last four weeks methodically progressing from a walk, to a walk/run, to a run and more. Thanks to all for their constant support and encouragement over the last 10 weeks — don’t think I could have done it without you!

Congrats also to wife Ally, who finally broke her 4th place hoodoo and picked up a cool Bobblehead award (pictured above) for taking third in her age group. Her consistent training is definitely paying off and I’m convinced there are more great times to come. Proud of you Ally!

For the record: finish time 1:03:08, average pace 6:19/mile, 1st overall