I’m officially a sub 46-minute 10k runner- wait, what?! It’s wild to think that I somehow managed to run 7:22 pace for over 6 miles on a fairly humid August day. I certainly wasn’t training for a 10k PR , but I knew I had some fitness going into the race.

After driving to my moms house the night before (after a 12-hour shift) and getting there at 10pm, that 4:45am alarm didn’t feel too great (but I expected that). We drove down together to get to the start area around 7am (since spectators have to get to the finish line area by 7:30). I ate a bagel & PB on the drive there with some liquid IV (açaí is my favorite). I felt super tired from my work shift/late commute, but I also had some adrenaline since it’s one of my favorite races. I had a drop bag with my sandals for afterwards and decided to carry my gels/water bottle with scratch in it. I did a 3-mile warmup out the road where most runners are parking at the start (which turned out to be better than running along the course- like I did last year). The views were stunning too.

I took a Maurten gel 15 minutes before the start and seeded myself in the 7:30ish pace range (goal pace was 7:19). I didn’t have much time to stretch before hopping into the corral, so I did that then.

I decided that I would just ‘go for it’ from the start since it was expected to be cloudy and one of the cooler Beach 2 Beacons that I can remember. I’ve also never just gone for a race from the start, so I was curious what would happen (would I fly and die or would I fly and soar?)- only trying it out would tell me what would happen!

The first mile was my fastest (way too hot- pace wise!) at 7:03. I then tried to settle-in, but honestly I never felt great . I felt slightly nauseous and like I might puke at any moment (which I’ve come to find out that’s what I feel like when I push a hard pace for an extended period of time)! I just kept reminding myself to push as much as I can and that it will be over soon. The first mile is slightly downhill, then there’s some rolling hills for the next few miles until mile 5. The next three miles were 7:18, 7:22, 7:20. Around mile 4, is when you pass through the town of Cape Elizabeth and turn right onto the final road (until you head into Portland Headlight). I love the crowds and sprinklers through this section. Mile 5 was 7:14 and then the hills came.

The other girl in my photo above was totally matching my outfit! I love this part of the course because you get the best ocean views. I kinda petered-out at the final mile (so many uphills and wow, did I feel exhausted)! My final split was 7:52 and then once you get up the steep hill into the park, I hit mile 6 and decided to let it fly- 6:20 pace for that final part!

I couldn’t believe that I ran so fast, but also slightly disappointed that I didn’t hit the sub 45 minute that my v.dot had predicted (it’s normally been very accurate). I was also in a taper-mode for my half Ironman the week before (which I sadly had to DNS due to our girls getting hand, foot, & mouth that week), so I think just stress added up. I’m still super proud that I never gave up (I really wanted to walk on those final few hills!) and still ran a really strong race.

I never could have imagined running this fast even just a few years ago (especially after having twins 19 months prior!). I know having my oophorectomy & ovarian cyst surgery has helped make me feel so much better and I also have less mental pressure that I put on myself about running (it’s much less important than my two babies now). I think those two things, along with hiring an amazing running coach (Coach Cara from Lift. Run.Perform) has helped me snag four PRs this year (one in the 5k, two in the half, and this one in the 10k). I wish I could have done my first 70.3, but I also really want to be able to do it when my whole family can be there at the finish line- so it might be a few years before I decide to jump back into serious triathlon training. I will still keep doing the Tri For A Cure though because I love that race and the great fundraiser it is.

My summer training is now finally complete and I’m onto marathon training! Next up, I have Wineglass Marathon (goal race) at the beginning of October and then the NYC Marathon (fundraising for Every Mother Counts) in November (fun run).