Short version:

42:17 (6 minute PR!)

Dead heat for 2nd place in AG

20th overall out of about 600  (the results are not up yet)

Today DW and I ran a 10k together in Laguna Hills, CA.  I did not know what to expect today because of two things: 1) I ran a very tough HM four weeks ago and it took me longer than expected to recover so I did not train specifically for this race. I put in about 35 mpw for the last two weeks with no speed work except for two tempo runs of six miles. Also, I did no long runs so essentially, they were all easy runs of five or six miles, give or take. 2) This week my legs felt very tired. I used DD's muscle stick the other night and it hurt! I have a lot of knots of lactic acid deep in my calves that only my massage guy can get out. I was hoping for 44:00.  A couple of weeks ago I started a thread about 10k pace and got some GREAT advice and I took it to heart. DW wanted to be sub 50. Oh, I wore a hat today because of the sun. I wanted to wear the headband but it was too sunny.

Miles 1-2  The most annoying thing about races is the start. I hate it when small kids and the people who should be in the back of the pack are at the front. At the gun there was a big mess of people trying to pass, kids looking for their moms, etc. I don't know if it made it worse, but the 5k, 10k, and HM all started at once.  I passed loads of people at the start and got sucked into a pace that I thought was too fast. The first miles went through a retirement community. There were a few old folks sitting on lawn chairs clapping, clanging cowbells, and one old gal even had a big drum that she was beating. Kind of like the guy in the outfield at the Cleveland baseball games. I thought I was going too fast at a 6:50 pace but I was feeling ok so I just said "Go for it" and I stayed at that pace.

Miles 3-4  It's weird, but I don't really remember this bit. You know what I mean? I was cruising and in a zone, not talking, I was just going. I didn't look at my watch at all. I think there was some downhill so I used it and picked it up (I think). The part I do remember was the 5k turn to the finish. The 10k and HM runners went straight at this part and the 5k folks made a turn to the finish.

Miles 5 to the finish.  This bit was uphill and was tough for me. My legs were tired and the little bumps were hard. There was a turnaround part and when I turned back I saw DW and we slapped hands as we passed.  I really hate uphill finishes! They are torture to me and I absolutely loathe them! Here I looked at my watch a few times. I pushed hard to the finish.  I saw the clock at the finish line and was in shock. 42!!! When I stopped my watch I had a 42:17 and that was my official time. DW got a 50:17, just off her goal but I am still proud of her because she has been sick lately.

The last time I did a 10k was last July so the six minute PR is somewhat misleading, but I think it does show how much I have improved in ten months time. This was a fun race that was well organized and staffed. The only problem was they screwed up the shirt order so they are mailing them to us. Also, they ran out of the swag bags so we missed out on that as well. I didn't mind because they usually only have those rubbish coupons that you never use. Overall, we had fun and I truly enjoy running with DW. Next year our older DD may not run track (she only wants to do XC in the fall) but she said she will do some races with us.  For my finish in the AG I got a... wait for it... $5 gift card to a LRS.

Oh, I wanted to add thanks for the advice and encouragement over the past weeks and months. Like I said above, sometimes my mind is nowhere during a race but when I do think of things it is either about my pace or what you have taught me. So, thanks!

Thanks for reading.

Awesome performance, both of you!  Nice picture.

Damn Jack!  You could have drank a Natty waiting for me to finish...lol  Great job to you and your DW!

Way to go, nice time!

Great work by you and DW, and I think it's awesome that DD wants to race too! I love seeing families at races. I have a nephew who runs cc and want to run a race with him sometime.

Can I say "We told you so!"? I think several of us were confident you could run 42 minutes. 20th of 600 is impressive too.

Jack - you did great.  We all knew you would, given your training and past experiences, but it's always nice to get such a good PR.  Your splits are really good too, even the uphill bit.  At least it wasn't the hill from your HM!

Congratulations to your DW as well.  She also did really well, especially if she's been sick.

Six minute PR.

That is simply huge, Jack.  Big congrats.

$5 GC for shoes that are probably at least $20 more than they would be online?  It's a trap! 

Don't be afraid to shimmy in front of those people at the start who are clearly going to be too slow.