1st 10k Race EVER!! Apr 22nd!!

[rookhoe]

I signed up for a 10k race on  April 22nd. Its for the wounded troops out here in Afghanistan. It'll be my first race ever. I ran a 10k on my own today and my time was 46 min 58 sec. I started slow in the beginning and then picked up the pace throughout the run. Is that good or should I push my pace more?

I havent decided whether or not im going to run in my NB Minimus Zero Trail or my VFF Bikila LS.

[Jeepman]

That is a 7:34 per mile pace. That's pretty good for your first time. My first 10K time years ago was around 52 minutes - (8:23 per mile pace). In the 5K and 10K races I've been in, it seems the majority of the pack finishes with around 8:30 to 9 minute per mile pace - (~54 minutes). Depending on your ago group, that could be good enough to place pretty high. In contrast, in my last 10K an Indiana State University track member finished in a time of 29:08 for the overall win. That's a 4:42 per mile pace - that's cooking!

I think you did well to pace yourself in the beginning. The worst thing you can do to yourself is to come out too hot in the beginning. I would much rather have a strong finial finishing kick than to gas out in the last kilometer and let a ton of people pass me. Know yourself and pace yourself accordingly and you'll have a very good finishing time. Remember you can't win the race in the beginning, but you sure can lose it in the beginning by going out too hot. Pace yourself through most of the race, then in the finial kilometer or so, if there is a race to be ran against somebody close to you, then that is the time to do it. In the beginning of the race let people pass you if they want to - don't surge and try to prevent them from passing you - you'll pay for that later in the race. You'll probably see them later in the race any way because they came out too hot. If they are really that good, then you would have never caught them anyway.

Lastly and most importantly, relax and enjoy the moment. Have a good time and take in the whole experience. Things like this make for great memories. Good luck and let us know how you do in the race.

Rgs, Jeepman

[rookhoe]

Thanks  for the advice Jeepman.

I definitely intend on enjoying the race. Being that its my first one, its mainly for the experience, as I do intend on running other races at some point in the future. Ill definitely be sure to let the forum know how I do. It would be awesome if I could place!

[rookhoe]

Well we had the race this morning. For some reason, they didnt tell us what place each of us came in but my time was 45 min 32 sec. There were over 300 runners there, and from what im guessing I was in the top 40-50 runners (haha). I had a good time though. I decided to run with my NB Minimus Trails because the route that they had us run was mostly unpaved roads. They performed great. I dont think im going to run any more races out here as my time left in Afghanistan isnt much longer, but I think this has opened the door to participate in more races wherever I go. Hopefully ill do a few more 10k runs and then move it up to the half marathon!

[Jeepman]

Congratulations on your first 10K race. Sounds like you represented yourself very well. It’s too bad the race organizers did not do a better job of letting people know how they finished. The in race experience can be intoxicating – I personally love it! It also has a way of bringing out the best in you. It looks like you got faster come race day. You went from an overall pace of 7:34 per mile down to a 7:21 per mile pace on race day. Shaving off 13 seconds per mile for 6.2 miles is no joke. Good job!

If you choose to become a little more competitive I can share some things that experienced runners use to get inside the heads of other runners. Physically I can’t always compete with the younger runners, but if I can get inside their head, then I can own them. The mental game is just as big or bigger than the physical part. I’ve taught my 10 year old son all these race tactics and he does use them in our races. I watched him dismantle a 14 year old in our last race. Since then I’ve told him to back off a little bit because it was starting to push the line on good gamesmanship. LOL!

[PB Junkie]

Way to go, Rookhoe! Well done!

[rookhoe]

Thanks Jeepman! I agree, it definitely became intoxicating. Honestly though, every time I passed someone I spotted the next person that I wanted to pass. I do want to become a little more competitive. I dont think that im going to do any more races out here, there is possibly a half marathon near the time of me leaving, so I dont know if ill be able to make it to that. I definitely plan on participating in races when I get back to Okinawa though. It would be nice to even participate in some when I go home on leave. But sure, if you dont mind, im always willing to take advice from people. Its really much appreciated.

Thanks PB Junkie!!

What was really crazy is that a Jordanian won the race. His run time was 36 minutes and something. He was cruising.