BIB REPORT: KTC Expo 10K

The Skinny:
44:06
50 of 361

Another team race for KTC and the Tennova running team. I went into this race with somewhat of an expectation of a P.R. for a 10K. I had a P.R. earlier in the year at the Strawberry Plains 10K, and that was a tough course with an uphill 3 mile return to it.

I didnt really feel like I was pushing  during this race, but I still ended up with a time that was only 5 seconds off of Strawberry Pains. The run started on a nice downhill which quickly turned onto Gay Street then quickly went onto a long, grinding uphill on Broadway. After about a mile of uphill on Broadway the course turned into a section of town that I have never been through before. A section of the historic 4th and Gill neighborhood with some beautifully restored old homes. This section of the course was pretty flat with just a couple of small rolling sections. I was able to keep my pace at just at just under 7:00 for the first loop.

As the second loop started though, we were treated to a second trip up the long slow grinding uphill of Broadway. I swear that road is dead flat in a car. My pace unfortunately slowed a little over the next two miles. The first two miles of the second loop were both 7:14. I was a little tired from the climb and I also let myself get caught behind a slower runner for a bit not paying attention. A short out and back just before mile 5 didnt help matters either. As we turned off of Broadway the second time and began making our way through the neighborhood the course monitors had moved over and were directing the 10ker's down a very steep hill. Made good time on the way down of course, but I all but toasted my legs on the way back up the hill just trying to stay in the low 8's. It took me a good half mile the rest of the way through the neighborhood to recover somewhat.

After a brief slow down for recovery, I was able to pick up the pace for the last mile or so to the finish. Mile 6 was a 6:48 pace. The course steadily winding downhill did help. The final turn to the finish was onto cobblestone which was a little tricky with tired legs, but the quick steep uphill to the finishline was a challenge. I was glad it was over when it was done. Also glad I have been able to take my 10K pace average down about 45 seconds since running this race for the first time last year.