Running to the finish line: Oakville Mercedes-Benz 10k

The Mercedes-Benz Logo is the medal

In anticipation for the marathon clinic starting Tuesday, June 7th, which is 30 days from now if anyone is counting, I have been running with the marathon clinic as much as I could. Which means once a week, long slow distance runs. I am concentrating on endurance rather than speed.

The route

When we went to the Scotiabank Marathon last year, we saw the booth for the Mercedes-Benz 10k race in Oakville, Ontario. And I thought "self, what a nice medal... " cause ya know, it's all about the medal sometimes :) it's all you need to get motivated to do/train for a race...

In January I convinced my two friends, Thomas and Aestus, to do the race with me. It's somehow local, cheap and somehow easy to do. I mean, 10k... 1 hour work right?

Basically I didn't train for it. In fact, I forgot! LOL So I arrived at the start line with just mileage in my legs. No speedwork, hills, or tempo run. Just slow mileage with one or two additional runs during the week. I did increase spin class to twice a week to keep the cardio up. I'm totally excited to do the race but at the same time, a little apprehensive, as I always am when I find myself with a bunch of other runners. Can seem to shake it.

Aestus, Me and Thomas

So the gun goes off and we're surging forward. I decided to place myself a little ahead of my friends. Not that I didn't think they could keep up with me but my last experience of a shorter distance race taught me that there are a LOT of walkers/slow runners at the back. So I got at the end of the 50-60 min group. I started a little fast and I would end up paying for it a bit.

But it was a fun run. I ran by feel mostly. Not keeping to a certain pace, in fact, I didn't even look at it. My Garmin is now set up to go 60km in the "simple" program so that's what I did. Hit go and run. Hindsight 20/20 I should have done the 10/1 but I do want to get away from it.

With my favorite OMM shirt

Water stations are a bit off. I've examined the course ahead so I know the first water station is at the 3k mark. I'm not carrying water or gels. I'm totally dependent on the water stations. I take a walking break at the station so I can drink slowly. It helps a bit. I start again. Around the 6ish k mark I'm struggling a little bit and my friend passes me. I get a little disappointed in this as I know I've been slowly but surely losing time. But at the same time I'm telling myself that it ok, I can do it. Not much long to go. At the 8k mark, I start to perk up. Things are going well and I start increasing pace significantly at the 9k mark. Once we get to the turn to the chute, I really pick up. Stride lengthening, heel striking, arms moving. I'm sprinting. There isn't anybody in front of me, I'm really giving all I have. This is the time when I usually get very scared of tripping and falling flat on my face. No idea why but I always think about it.

Yep, heel striking all right...

Once I cross the finish line, totally out of breath, I stop the Garmin and finally look at it. 57:05. I'm totally over the moon. I'm so happy! Someone put a medal over my head and I keep telling them I had a PB! I see my friend who passed me before and he's also did extremely well, 55 and change. I'm so happy.

We wait for his husband to arrive, he comes in at 1:01 which is great considering the guy is sporting an injury. We get our stuff and head over to his sister to have a well deserved shower and brunch. It's also his birthday so we had arranged for a surprise birthday cake. Sooooo good...

Overall, I learned a lot at this race:

My new motto

1. My fitness is very good. If I can do 57:04 without any training, I can just imagine how much faster I would be with the proper training.
2. Cardio is good, what's lacking is the strength in the legs and maybe find a good pair of shoes for me. I got a blister with the Mizuno and my index toe was burning as I was running.
3. I really need to work on running steady. Again, part of training.
4. Cream of wheat, while very tasty is NOT enough in my tummy. I need oatmeal.
5. I look damn good in that new outfit :)