A couple of weeks ago, I won a race entry from a local race company (Pacers Events) with this Instagram photo.
The win netted me entry into either the St.Pat’s races or the Four Courts Four Miler. Since Beer Geek and I were already running the Four Miler, I chose the St. Pat’s 10K.
(And then I convinced Beer Geek and a friend that they needed to run it too.) Since I’ve been training to run the GW Parkway Classic 10 miler at a sub 10 pace, I decided that would be my goal for the 10K.
Sunday morning dawned cold and clear. 22* cold to be exact. After a winter without a winter, this was a bit of a shock to the system. I had planned to wear my Ragnar Ambassador 1/4 zip, but it was not very warm, so I had to get creative. Luckily, I requested a large accidentally, which meant I had plenty of room for extra layers. (Apparently I also wanted to sleep through the race.)
I ended up wearing a tank top, a fleece, and arm warmers under it. For the bottom half, I wore my new Sidewinder Happy Girl (affiliate link) with tights, knee length Features wool socks, and my brand new Altra Escalante (affiliate link)(I’m in love and I’ll be reviewing them soon).
We drove into the city (not something I do often) and parked at the Reagan Building, which was easy peasy thanks to Parking Panda. The guards at the building were kind enough to let us stay warm inside and use a real bathroom before we headed to the race. Finally, it was time to go line up. I decided at the last minute to take off my arm warmers because it didn’t feel that cold. I put them inside my skirt waistband, where they stayed comfortably the whole time LOL. Then we were off!
I had a goal of 1)maintaining a sub 10 minute pace and 2) finishing in an hour. I planned to tempo the first five miles and then leave it all on the course in mile 6. The St. Pat’s 10K course is flat and scenic and sun plus no wind actually made for perfect temps. Despite a super tight calf, I managed to hit my goal pace with no problem. In fact, I ended up with a near perfect progression run:
9:40, 9:36, 9:27, 9:18, 9:14, 8:59 for a 58:49 finish. I seriously could not have done that intentionally! Average pace: 9:29.
All in all, it was a great race and a great training run. I now have 6 weeks until my first half marathon of the season and 7 weeks until my goal 10 miler. Time to keep up the tempo runs and boost the length of my long runs! And those planks I’ve been doing?
That would be why there was room in my skirt waistband for my arm warmers. Let’s just hope I haven’t slimmed my waist so much my skirts all start falling down!
I’m linking up with Courtney at Eat Pray Run DC for a training recap and Holly and Tricia for the Weekly Wrap.
GOOD LORD YOU SO SO SO IMPRESS ME.
I channeled you yesterday as well.
<3
Carla recently posted…4 ways to build resilience.
That is perfect timing! I’ve never used Parking Panda – did you park in the Reagan Building underground garage or on the street? Those planks get results for sure!
Coco recently posted…A Frigid Reston 10 Miler (Race Recap)
Great 10k! It’s always fun to win free registration but to run a race with negative splits! Way to go!
Haha! I love the kitty photobomb!
Great job on the race–I love when things go way better than you hoped. Enough of this cold weather, already! Today it’s warm, but next weekend, cold again. Ugh.
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted…I am….
Awesome job at the race! I love racing 10ks – long enough to not be the crazy fast 5k pace but short enough to be able to be done in less than an hour 🙂
courtney @ eat pray run dc recently posted…Recap of a Tough Week
Great job at the race! I always love when race day goes better than expected. It’s like an awesome treat!
I’m doing a St. Patty’s Day 5K this weekend which I think should be fun 🙂
Kimberly G recently posted…Airbnb Brooklyn Half Marathon Training Recap – Week 1
Awesome race Erika! Gotta love it when a plan comes together!
Michelle @ Running with Attitude recently posted…Getting back to running
Excellent job! You spanked that sub-10 pace 😉 Yes, that shrinking waist will be an issue if you continue those side planks LOL
Congratulations! What a great time and you nailed those splits! Rock star ! I just love skirt sports – I’m heading to boulder in May and plan to stop at the store again – better watch my credit card. 🙂
Gina recently posted…Grandma’s Marathon Training – Week 4
Haha, I love the kitty bombed photo!
Great job on that 10K race!
Great job at your 10k!! Awesome pace and what a fun race!! Love the shirt and medal!
Congrats! And brrrr…!
Rachel recently posted…Veggie Quiche with Sweet Potato Crust
Nice job on your pacing! Looks like you have had some really good races lately. It was so cold that day
Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner recently posted…Spring Veggie Fried Rice-Vegetarian Meatless Monday
Allie’s never photobombed me but she does make foam rolling a participant sport. Once she gets bored, I can get serious, but it is cute when she wants to help.
Way to go! I’ve used Parking Panda before. It’s the best!
Nicole @ Fitful Focus recently posted…5 Tips To Help Beat Mindless Snacking
Thats a great pace, congrats! You are going to crush your 10 miler goal!
Lisa @ Mile by Mile recently posted…Riding the Weather Rollercoaster {Weekly Wrap}
Awesome job out there! Your skirts are fabulous! I haven’t seen the Feetures knee-length socks yet – do you love them?
Jenn recently posted…weekly wrap: 2.26.2017 – 3.4.2017 + publix savannah women’s half marathon training week 4
22 degrees would definitely be a shock to my system! What an incredible job on pacing the 10k! Your going to have a great 10 mile goal race. Your kitty bombing cat is adorable. Thanks for linking, Erika!
HoHo Runs recently posted…Welcome, March! (WW # 82)
Congrats on your 10K, that was executed perfectly! Love your racing outfit too. Can’t believe it was so cold this weekend! What a crazy winter, lol!
Janelle @ Run With No Regrets recently posted…20 Easy and Healthy Recipes for Your March Madness Party
Congrats on winning the race entry, and even more importantly, congrats on running a great race. Those negative splits are very impressive!
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…Rock ‘n’ Roll DC Half Marathon Training Log – Week 9
Congrats on the 10k!!! Way to have negative split each mile!! I’m glad you had room to put your arm sleeves in your skirt waist band and that the skirt stayed up, lol!! Keep up the hard work, you got this!!!
Great race!!! I would be thrilled with that pace- nice when it all comes together!! HA, love the kitty photobomber! You have been working those planks- I need to do more 🙂 Congrats again on your race, fantastic job!
Mary Beth Jackson recently posted…And so we are to March- weekly wrap
Seriously awesome pacing for the race! Sounds like you found some race magic! Love that skirt on you by the way!!
Sandra Laflamme recently posted…Boston Marathon Training is Back on Track!
Whoa I’ll say that was a near perfect run too! Awesome paces too. Very strong at the end. I ran a PR 10k a few weeks ago but did not finish as strong as you. I’m still very happy but I do need to work on saving some in the tank!
Thanks for linking up !