Aspire 10k Race Recap

 

This was my second consecutive year running the Aspire 10k race in Plainview, New York. This was also my second year running this 10k in less than favorable racing conditions.

Last year it was snowing, this year it was pouring rain. I am hoping to run this race next year simply for the chance of running with some sunshine!

Pre-Race:

I was up early even though the race didn’t start until 8:30 am. I did my best to drag out the morning (8:30 am is a late running start for me) so I drank water, made my coffee and had some of my breakfast at about 6:00 am.

I had one cup caffeinated coffee, almost a full cup of decaf and half a bowl of oatmeal with banana, saving the rest for a little later if I wanted it. I guess my stomach is a creature of habit because I normally only eat half a bowl of oatmeal with some banana for routine runs. Only for races (unless I am hungry) do I increase what I eat to the full bowl of oatmeal and/or half/whole banana.

The beauty of running a local, later morning race is that I was able to run 3 very easy warm up miles at home. It was not raining during my warm up so I was feeling confident for no rain at race time.

Of course it started to rain when I left my house for the race!

Before getting in the car, I had another piece of a banana and brought a handful of jelly beans in my pocket. I knew I wouldn’t need a gel for the 10k but like to have some sort of sugar with me just in case 🙂

I was able to get a parking spot fairly close to the start line and waited in my car as long as I could to avoid waiting in the rain. I timed things pretty well in that I did not need to use the porta potty before the race began!

I was so happy to get a text from Laura prior to the start. She is three hours behind New York time so this was extra special, unexpected and so super nice.

The Race:

It’s hard to go mile by mile for a 10k because it all goes so quickly!

I had a few jelly beans right before the race began.

I used to be the queen of starting out way too fast during the first mile and then losing steam. I am getting much better at going slow! It was fairly easy though to not go out too fast because the start was very crowded until about the one mile mark when things opened up a bit.

I did not really pay much attention to who was running around me, who was ahead of me, who might pass me. I just ran my own race as if it was a tempo run on my schedule.

This is a hilly course. I sort of remembered that from last year but I wouldn’t say it’s overly challenging in comparison to other races.

I would say there are four hills that feel sort of like large inclines beginning around mile 2, somewhere again at 3, during mile 4 (I think?) and then again as you make the approach to the mile 5 marker.

I felt extremely strong during this race. The weirdest part of this race was that each time I felt as though I kicked things up a notch, my miles would chime in at basically the exact same pace!

I did not shut MapMyRun off until after I stopped walking so the last .32 is not accurate. I wish it was because I am curious how I sped up as I approached the finish.

I am pretty in tune with what my paces feel like so I am a little confused as to why I felt much faster than this. It’s quite possible that the rain I was running in, which I didn’t think was as bad as it was, affected this race. When I made it beyond the finish line and started to walk, I immediately felt how soaked and squishy my feet were. Um, yeah, I was SOAKED. Beyond soaked. Like, I am surprised I didn’t notice how soaked I actually was while running.

What I Like About This 10K Race:

I love how close this race is to my house! We are talking less than 10 minutes away which makes for an easy race morning.

Parking is decent and close to start/finish line so you don’t need to stress it much.

The course runs the streets I drive all of the time so it’s kind of cool to run on them.

What I Don’t Love About This Race:

The weather. I realize the weather is the not the race’s fault but geez, every year it’s doing something other than showing me sunshine!

The potholes. I think because this race falls right after the winter, the roads have not been fixed from the damage of the salt/plows/snowstorms. I remembered this from last year’s race so I was extra cautious and constantly looking at where my feet were going to step. The puddles were covering some of the broken ground too which is dangerous.

Parts of the course are open to traffic. This is annoying. Even though the police are there and certain parts of the race are closed to traffic, there are many points where cars are sharing the road with you which is something that takes your focus off of running because your safety comes first. Especially in bad weather, you must pay attention to the cars around you < – Hoping my mother is skimming this post and not reading this part.

Finish Time Thoughts:

My official time is 48:40 even though I looked up and saw 48:38 when I crossed the line and even though I didn’t cross the start line when the race started.

I find it extremely annoying that they do not adjust your finish time to take into account when you actually start the race!

Last year’s time was 48:56 so this year was an improvement.

I try really hard not to compare races, even this race in comparison to last year’s race because circumstances are always different.

This year I am seriously training for a half marathon. This year I ran 3 warm up miles and 30 miles during the week in advance of this race. Last year I ran in the snow which I think is harder than running in the rain. See, you can’t compare races!

Overall Thoughts:

I felt terrific and loose the entire time. I really noticed, even as I was getting tired in the second half, that I was in my zone and comfortable with my paces. Could I have gone faster? I always wonder this. Yes, I do think I could have but I was trying to not burn myself out too soon.

Having Laura as a running coach is the best. Seriously. She is so there, so interested in her runners and so knowledgeable. I texted her as soon as I finished (even before I called my dad – I always call my dad as soon as I cross a finish line) and we texted all morning to keep discussing. She is such a cheerleader of inspiration!

Race Outfit:

Although it turned out to be a steady rain throughout the race, I stuck with my outfit plan, adding my Runner’s World hat over my headband at the last-minute. I have no idea how people were wearing shorts and tank tops! I would have been freezing even though it was in the 50’s. The rain felt cold.

This is what soaked and cold looks like after a race.

If you asked me for a list of my absolute favorite running apparel, what I wore for this race is it for sure:

• Lululemon Runderful Half Zip
• Lululemon Run Swiftly Short Sleeve
• Luluelmon Run Inspire Crops
• Thorlos Experia Socks
• Adidas Energy Boosts
• Runner’s World Festival Hat Trick Hat

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For a full list of the races I have recapped on the blog, check out my race recap page here!

Anyone else race over the weekend? How did it go?

Least favorite running weather condition?

Do you have a favorite race outfit that you try to wear to all races?