Hawaii Pacific Health Alliance Women's 10K 3.1.15

This is the first 10K race I ever ran all the way back in 2012.  It's a great race because it's all women, super positive, and a challenging route with Diamond Head at mile 1 and 5, and lots of elevation changes.

Going into this race I didn't expect to PR as I am currently a bit (being nice) on the heavy side but I have been pleased with my hill work and speed training so I knew that I had the potential to do pretty good.  It also helped that my buddy Cathy was back in town and would be running it with me.  I was also excited since they added a Keiki Race and my two kids agreed to run the 1 miler.

As I lined up at the start with my girls Hiroko and Cathy I told them that I wasn't sure how I was going to race (a sign of insecurity) but was just hoping that I would perform okay.  The horn went off and I went out running "on the edge."

I was adimttedly worried about Diamond Head since I hadn't run it since the Honolulu Marathon in December.  Because the North Shore Marathon was cancelled I haven't been training long and it's just been a little weird.  Anyhow, I was determined to run strong and I ran up the hill as best as I could being sure to pass people on the way up.  After the hill I told myself to push the pace but not lose the gas.  I hit the 5K mark at 27 minutes and some change which signaled a 9 minute pace. I had finished the Great Aloha Run 2 weeks ago with a 9:06 pace so I was feeling good with my race.  I knew, however, that I had a 2 mile climb up Diamond Head to finish.

As I turned on to Kahala I reminded myself to run on the edge and I saw my target in front of me, my buddy "H." I kept my eye on her and told myself to run hard and close the gap.  I wasn't sure if I would be able to catch her and I didn't until I was running down the mountain.  At that point I began focussing on the very young buff girl ahead of me who was sprinting and running intervals. I kept telling myself, "Come on, old lady, you're not done yet, you got this!  Hold this pace and push hard!" In my races I am always strongest at the last 2 miles and I was hoping my legs wouldn't give out--something I don't normally worry about since I am usually training long.

Heading into Kapiolani I told myself to hang in there and save it to the end.  The young buff chick started walking and I knew I had her.  I sped up and saw that I was running an 8 minute pace.  At the tennis courts I saw my "running coach" Reid and he told me to sprint it in and that's all I needed. I gassed it to the finish and got a respectable time of 55:12, 90 over all and 7th in the 40-44 category. Not my best time ever, but pretty damn fabulous!!!