Notes
Ann Arbor 10k solo time trial. So I was originally signed up to run the Ann Arbor 10k today but this got cancelled about 1.5 weeks ago. Ypsalinti Running Company was offering this solo race option which I took. But then last night I switched to the virtual race option because I never received any further updates on the solo run. I just said heck with it and I will run the course solo early in the morning. Next problem was in order for the virtual race to qualify, I had to use this app on my phone and ONLY my phone. So in order for it to work, I had to carry my phone with me the whole time trial.
When I got to the start line, there were some people there and actually things went off without a hitch. I got my warm up, drills, and strides done and went to the start line. It was only 20 degrees this morning but luckily no wind! This course is pretty tough with 283 feet of elevation gain and having to go up the Arb Hill at mile 4-5 of the 10k course. Got out well and tried to settle which was difficult given the punchy hills on the first mile of the course. 2nd mile was a little more flat but still had some punchy hills. 3rd mile was predominately downhill with the 4th mile being flat. 5th mile was all uphill and 6th mile was flat with a downhill finish. Mile splits were 5:17-5:32-5:25-5:20-5:44-5:03 according to my GPS watch. My GPS watch only measured the course at 6.06 miles but with times in the woods and the course looping back over itself, I imagine that's where it got thrown off. Still I imagine the course was a little short. I'm probably in shape to run 32:30 on the track right now, not on a tough course in 20 degree weather. I mapped the course out to be 6.20 miles which isn't too far off a 10k but I'm going to imagine this course is about 0.1 mile short in reality. Which puts this at right around 33:10 for a true 10k which is a little more believable given the conditions. I'm very happy with that given everything!
Now for the virtual race, I goofed up and forgot to turn the WiFi on my phone off. This messed up my phone's GPS system and messed up the tracking app. So I ran the whole thing with my phone in my hand for nothing...
Anyways, I accomplished my goal of getting in a hard effort. While it was entirely solo in less than ideal conditions, I was really pleased with myself. I committed to try to get after it no matter how bad I felt and I accomplished that! It was great that a group of people still attempted to put this on in some form. Honestly getting out and racing felt incredible! Knowing everything has been cancelled or postponed this spring, getting in a race is a huge deal to me! And lastly, the Next% are easily one of the best purchases I have made on shoes! I think I'll drop a lot of time in the marathon or half marathon once I get to race in these bad boys! I was flying at the end of this 10k and my legs felt great! Not beat up at all!