Monument Avenue 10K Race Report

The Monument Avenue 10K is a special race to me. It was the first race I ever ran, in 2004, which is either three years ago or a lifetime ago, depending on how you look at it. I had just started running, thanks to some inspiration from my brother Dyron and the autobiography of Dick Traum, and was ready for my first run with thousands of other people, water stops, and a big clock.

This year, I started in Wave E, for people with predicted finish times of :51 to :54. Perhaps a bit ambitious, but I've been training! My previous times for this race have fluctuated quite a bit.
2004--1:03:59
2005--56:33
2006--1:06:34
Mostly, they reflect my weight gain last year (and it was hot!) but it's also interesting how any particular factors can influence one's time on race day.

I was glad to see Anna join my in the E group--we trained together a lot last season, but I haven't seen her much over the winter. Just as the C wave took off, I ducked out of the corral for a last-minute pee break down a side street. It was so totally worth it. Our gun when off at 8:44, fourteen minutes after the official race start, and we took off!

I was really proud of my pacing at the Shamrock 8K a couple of weeks ago, and tried to do the same thing here--not start too fast, but at the same time, not too slow, which I think I may have done a few times in the past. I had just read two articles in the current issue of Runner's World that were applicable here--one on starting off a little faster in a 5K, and the other on what the elites think to themselves during a race.

I generally think about when I'm going to throw up or if I have to pee (not this time!) or how far to the next water stop... I added in some "I think I can, I think I can, I know I can!" as suggested by someone much faster than I quoted in RW. I knew I was on track to PR, so I imagined seeing my sister at the end and telling her--actually, more like having her catch me first, or something! I thought about the first-time runners, I thought about Ironman, but only a little, because that thought hurt! I thought "faster, stronger"--another ripoff from RW.

In no particular order, here are the highlights of this year's race.

***A gorgeous spring day in Richmond.
***Driving to the start with my very special friends Ashley and Lauren and my newfound friend and TRIgirl little sister Jennifer.
***Meeting up with, cheering for and beeing cheered for by, and just generally loving, over thirty TRIgirls before, during, and after the race.
***Wearing my TRIgirl jersey--it is so cool to be part of such a great team!
***Getting caught up in the excitement with over 25,000 participants.
***Seeing my sweet, sweet sister Shannon, who, unable to run due to blisters and funny legs, held some gear for us.
***Seeing my dad, waiting for my mom, at the finish. I love that my whole family participates in races together.
***Cheering first-time racer Kay to the finish.
***Post-race Mexican and margaritas with TRIgirls Jennifer, Cathy, and Kay.
***Getting my PR! 54:09.

PS My pacing was great again! First 5K--27:04, second 5K--27:05! "That is consistent if I have ever heard it."--the Beeber