Tuesday, April 27, 2010

SPITTING DISTANCE

Given how popular the 10K was in the late ‘70s and throughout the ‘80s, it’s kind of weird that I don’t race this distance very often. Typically, I only run 2-3 10K per year and they’re usually bigger races, like Get in Gear, Hennepin Lakes, and Victory. As I pondered this the other day, I came to the conclusion that it’s because 10K is too long to race in a low-key event. Racing a low-key 5K or even 5 miler is doable. However, maintaining focus for 10K when you’re all alone can be tough.

With my relatively low number of 10Ks, I had to go all the way back to the 2007 Get in Gear (37:47) to find a sub-39. And my best time while in the 30-39 age group is only a tad better, 37:32, set when I was 35 years old.

What does all that mean? I don’t know; I just like to look at numbers. But maybe it does mean that I’m not really in that bad of shape. I’m just a mere 10-12 seconds per mile behind what I was running in 2007, prior to setting my marathon PR. Sure that adds up to about 5 minutes over the course of a marathon. But if I finish within 5 minutes of my PR, I’d be pretty happy. Of course, it’d also be a little frustrating because that means I’d be within spitting distance of sub-3.

Anyway, there are 8 weeks to go. I’m feeling pretty good after my cutback week. My right knee has been feeling a little weird, so I’m monitoring that. Usually I just stop and stretch my quad and then the knee feels better.

Finally, if you haven’t been reading the MDRA blog, I suggest checking it out. As much as it pains me to say this, Rocco has done a great job with updating the blog recently and adding a bunch of fun new posts. And I’m not just saying this because he included me as part of blognation.

Quote of the Day;

"Successful marathoners must lose their cool, and allow this irrational, animal consciousness to take over.” – Bill Rodgers

5 comments:

Beth said...

Sounds like the numbers are telling you that you are doing great! I've checked out the MDRA blog and I really like it. Of course, he linked one of my race reports so maybe I'm a little biased, too. Really, it's a great source of information.

Rocco said...

Thanks for the shoutout Chad. Nice take on the 10k. I run about two or three a lifetime which is indeed weird since it seems like the standard racing distance when I first got into running.

Julie said...

I agree with you and Beth...Rocco has a nice blog and I have found so many other Minnesota bloggers due to him. He was also kind enough to link my last three race reports:)

Chad, you are a fantastic athlete! People are just drooling over your impressive times:) I think I saw your picture on the Get in Gear web page!

Chad said...

Well Julie, having finished 129th, I know there are at least 128 people not drooling over my time.

Wayne did take a close-up shot of me at Get in Gear - given the way my short-shorts were clinging, that's probably better than a full-body shot.

Julie said...

Very funny! Might I remind you that there were 3,658 people in this race:) This means that 3,549 people were drooling at your time!