When I got to Richardson Field the sky was grey with vog and I knew it was going to be another scorcher on the island. There's no shade and just a lot of black top so this race is always brutal. Every year I've run it the ambulance has had to come on the island. That coupled with a lot of twists and turns as well as the hilly bridges made me question whether I would be able to beat last month's 52 and change PR.
When the gun went off I took off with the front of the pack. I felt strong and loose and I just ran. I looked down at my watch and saw that I was running a 6 something mile. I've never run a 6 something mile and I was surprised. I eased up a little and stayed with the 7 something. It didn't seem like I was running fast and it didn't look like the people were running that fast. It also didn't hurt to run that fast so although I pulled back a little I went with it. :)
And so I was able to clock my first sub 8 mile in a race with my first mile at a 7:43. I didn't think I would be able to keep that pace up since I've never really trained at that pace so I pulled back for mile 2 and 3. I knew that the 2nd portion of the race was tougher due to the heat, lack of shade, and twists and turns of the route and I knew I had to beat an 8:26 pace to beat last month's PR. It was getting harder to keep under an 8:30 pace as the heat and humidity was brutal. I was sweating like crazy and my body was beginning to feel fatigue. Nevertheless, I kept telling myself to push and worked hard to stay mentally engaged. As I neared the bridges I checked my time and knew I had to run the last mile strong. Although hills are my strength running into the sun was brutal and I wasn't sure if I was hydrated and fueled enough to pull it off. I was afraid of bonking and passing out but told myself not to let anyone pass me and to pass anyone that I could.
First hill was hard but the second was much easier. I could taste victory and I knew I was going to be able to do it. I powered up that hill and ran toward the finish as hard as I could. The crowd and my friend Satomi was cheering when I made it to the park and as I looked ahead to the clock at the finish line I knew I was finally going to nail a 51 minute 10k. As I ran through the finish line I was elated. I slowed down and felt my body wretching and nauseated. I had finally arrived. I had finally learned to run so hard that I got sick. I went quickly to the refreshments, drank some water, ate a popsicle and sweet bread, and as my body regained normalcy celebrated another goal checked off.
Hard work pays off!!!
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