PR x 9 x 12

Yawn -- another PR. Sorry to be a bore, but

HAPPY THANKGIVING TO ME!

Those who have followed my travails of 2006-07 know that my goal for my 44th birthday was to PR at every distance I raced before I turned 45. Not only have I met my goal in the 9 races I've run in the last 12 months, but I have PRd my PRs!

My previous 10k PR on July 4th was 56:56. My goal then was 55:xx. My goal for today's Thanksgiving Day Race (10k) was under 55:00.

I lined up between the 8/9 minute pace -- whatever that means, because the walkers and strollers lined up there too. But, I meant to give myself every advantage. This is a popular annual event in Cincinnati with over 10,000 registered participants this year. It took me almost three minutes to cross the start line.

The course is tricky with lots of people, turns, and three bridges. If you've run the Flying Pig, after two miles run in Downtown Cincy, the course follows the first four miles of the Pig.
I kept my pace strong and under 9. I only held back what I felt I needed to keep even splits and finish strong. I tried to run the tangents (thanks Scott C!) which was a little easier because of my familiarity with the course.

I picked up the pace the last mile then gave it a big kick for the last .2.
Here's the tale of the Garmin:

Mile 1: 8:46
Mile 2: 8:28
Mile 3: 8:47
Mile 4: 8:53
Mile 5: 8:47
Mile 6: 8:23
.29 7:55

Finish Time: 54:25. I'm thrilled and looking forward to another healthy year of strong racing. Happy Thanksgiving!

Slacker

I just took a look at my running log and it looks like someone has been slacking this week. Me??? Slack???

Truthfully, I'm feeling a little bit of a letdown to not be specifically training for a BIG EVENT. It's kind of nice though -- if it wasn't for the in-between-training-cycle-pounds that are starting to creep on. I still want to eat like I'm running 50 miles this week, when the running log down there and to your left tells a completely different story. I have run ZERO miles this week. Huh? Yes, it's true. Z-E-R-O.

Tomorrow, I intend to rectify the situation by running the 10k Thanksgiving Day Race. I even have a goal: under 55 minutes. Seriously, I should be able to smoke that time. Just pray the rain stops for an hour between 9 and 10. Running in the cold rain is never fun and my shoes don't like being wet.

Happy Thanksgiving!