Chapter 1: The Journey of a 10K Race

Yesterday, I participated in the 35th edition of my local 10K road race. Despite the chilly, windy conditions, almost nine thousand runners gathered at the starting line. This turnout mirrored the numbers seen before the pandemic, which felt like a significant victory! It's a wonderful feeling to be part of a community that can race freely again.

I want to take a moment to share what this experience meant to me. The day was filled with highs and lows, ultimately helping me evolve as a more experienced and knowledgeable runner—an excellent opportunity for character development.

Having dedicated the past ten weeks to specific training for this 10K, I set an ambitious goal of finishing in under 34 minutes by April 28th. With a solid foundation from previous half-marathon training and the confidence of a new personal record (PR) in the distance, I felt prepared. My training went smoothly, avoiding the typical injuries and setbacks that often arise in the final weeks. So, I was mentally and physically geared up for the challenge ahead.

However, in running, nothing is guaranteed.

I still had to put in the effort.

The race began positively, with my first kilometer clocked at 3:20 (5:22/mile). I quickly found myself in a pack led by the top female competitor, benefiting from the crowd's energy that she generated for the other runners. Spoiler alert: she ended up finishing ahead of all of us.

We reached the 5K mark at 16:51 (3:22/km, 5:25/mile)—exactly where I wanted to be. Anticipating the challenging headwinds and hills in the latter part of the course, I aimed to bank some time. Little did I know, that wouldn’t be nearly enough for the struggle that lay ahead.

The second half of the course followed the coastline, providing minimal shelter from the wind. As we turned west, I quickly noticed my pace slowing and my effort level skyrocketing. If you've experienced this, you know how humbling it can be.

In mere minutes, my splits dropped by 25–30 seconds per mile, leaving me to salvage whatever physical and mental strength I had left. By this point, the pack had broken apart, and I found myself running alone.

Not quite the second half I had envisioned.

By the 8K mark, my focus shifted from aiming for sub-34 minutes to merely trying to finish under 35 minutes. Despite having prepared rigorously for the worst during my training, I couldn't shake the disappointment during those final moments. Instead of pushing to reach my backup goal, I got trapped in negative thoughts about the unfavorable conditions. I lost sight of what I could control and became my own worst enemy.

Despite finishing strong with a final split of 3:23/km, I ended up with a time of 35:07 and 24th place overall. Missing both my primary and backup goals was a humbling experience.

Not the race I had hoped for.

After catching my breath, I immediately began reflecting on what went wrong and what I could have done differently. I neglected to take a moment to celebrate my achievement of a new PR. Although I received congratulations from volunteers, friends, and family, I was too focused on the missed time and my inability to recover after things didn't go as planned.

It took a couple of hours for me to realize the significance of my effort despite the challenging conditions. I understood that my only regret was not celebrating my accomplishment as I crossed the finish line.

This is advice I often give to my running clients, yet I failed to apply it to myself. However, this experience offered a valuable lesson that will inform how I approach racing and training in the future. Here are a few insights I gained:

First, remember that time is merely a number. While setting ambitious goals is important, they aren't everything. Many factors influence the outcome of a race (weather, health, stress, competition, course elevation, etc.), and the days when all these elements align are rare. While it's essential to have a time goal in mind, it's crucial to take each result with a grain of salt.

If the conditions had been different yesterday, I might have finished in 34:07 instead of 35:07. But that's just how it goes. The beauty lies in the fact that those "what-ifs" are beyond your control. While this realization may be disheartening, it makes the days when everything falls into place even more rewarding.

Secondly, there is no failure in running. Whether you achieve your time goal or fall short, every experience provides valuable data to guide your training. The choice lies in whether to let this information lead you to despair or to view it as an opportunity for growth. After a brief discussion with my wife, I chose the latter, and it was one of the most liberating and empowering perspectives I could adopt!

This mindset not only helps you maintain your composure amid the emotional ups and downs of running but also enables you to make informed decisions that minimize the risk of injury and burnout. If you aspire to have a long-lasting and fulfilling running journey, embrace an optimistic outlook!

Lastly, remember to keep your loved ones close. They excel at offering perspective and celebrating your efforts, regardless of the results on race day. I recently shared a quote worth repeating:

"And when it really comes down to it, when it's brass tacks, legs in acid, time to hurt, it better be about more than you. Cause those final miles are too damn hard to run only for yourself." — Peter Bromka

In Conclusion

Although my race didn't unfold as I envisioned, it was still a valuable experience. A strong effort remains a strong effort, and at the very least, it adds another tough session to my training bank. Consider all the physiological benefits gained from pushing your limits! That alone deserves recognition.

I hope this reflection brings comfort and motivation as you navigate the inevitable challenges of being a runner. Remember that your time goal is simply a number, and your performance is merely information to help you become a better athlete. If you can maintain a positive mindset in the face of adversity, you're on the right track as a runner.

The first video, "Marathon Reflection: Overcoming Obstacles and Hitting a New PB! | Diary Of The Runpreneur," delves into the challenges runners face and how to overcome them, providing insights that resonate with my experience.

The second video, "A 10K Race I'd Rather Forget...," shares a runner's perspective on a difficult race, highlighting the lessons learned and the importance of resilience.