Let the Races Begin!

Tis' the season for racing - for me at least.

I'm already signed up for more races just this year than I've done up to this point in my life and hoping to fit in at least 2 more races if my plans come together. Everything this year is a warm-up for next year w/ the idea that I can work out those first timer nerves and obvious mistakes. As with anything, practice makes perfect (or at least practice makes me better).

What better way to start the season than w/ 54,000 other people?
So seemed the sentiment of my running group, whose constant banter of the event finally persuaded me to sign up so as not to be left out.
The Bolder Boulder 10k Memorial Day Race is the perfect way to feed off some collective athletic energy. So many people, just happy to be running together, for fun, for sport, for whatever, just to run (w/ 54,000 other people). This would also serve as a last training run for my first marathon a week later so I was ok w/ starting out fast, hitting my threshold and maintaining it all the way through.
That morning was cold and overcast, perfect running weather by all accounts. I had no idea what to expect time wise because I've training for the marathon, not a 10k. Three goals were set, which as I've read serves to mentally prepare for 3 different scenarios. First, if I'm feeling like crap, either sore, injured, sick, or just random stomach issues, then an easily obtainable goal set according to my easy pace which I peg as 8min/miles for a 10k or rounded up to 50min. Second, a middle-of-the-road goal. A time that is around my average threshold pace, something slightly challenging but a pace that I've run often during training. Last year's 1/2 marathon was 7:30min/miles so I'm pegging 10k at around 7:15/7:20 or a total time under 45min. And lastly, a dream goal, the pie in the sky if I'm feeling super-human. That dream was sub 7min/miles for a total time under 43:30.
The last time I ran the Bolder Boulder, I just found out via the ever-amazing google, was 1999; which at the sprite age of 26 I ran a 43:25. Hmmm, that can't be right. Nine years ago I did not run, not consistently anyway. I hiked 14er's, albeit very fast, and climbed and lifted weights, but running? No, I did not run and not only did I not run, but at the time, I quite enjoyed every kind of micro-brew available and often partook in smoking a Boulder staple, aka kind bud.
Ok, great reminiscing, but I no longer have a ponytail and can no longer wake up hungover, hit the bong, and haul ass up a a 14,000 foot peak. Snap out of it Matthew, you have children! No, now a days, I have to watch what I eat, sleep, and run, a lot.
Wave B, that's where my Boulder Backroads 1/2 marathon time put me. The 4th wave back w/ an expected finishing time between 43:06 - 44:05 or around 7min/miles. Wait a minute, seriously, 7min/miles? Luckily I hadn't done that math before the race; for some reason, knowing that my 1/2 marathon was 7:30min/miles I just kind of assumed my wave placement equaled that exact pace. Good thing I'm not the race director.
BANG! and we're off. Wow this feels good, running the Bolder, the energy, the people, the excitement all around! Breathing, yes breathing hard; these people are running too fast! They have to be, it's not in my head, I'm not nervous and, damn it, I know my pace and the respective breathing.
Mile 1 - 6:35. Yep, this is too fast, I will not be able to maintain this speed. Ease off just a little Matthew; keep pushing but ease off just a little. Mile 2 - 7:09 (13:45 total). Better, keep going. Look around, the bands are cool, the people cheering, "Hoo Rah", "Whoo Hoo" I start yelling back here and there. Mile 3 - 7:05 and feeling good. More cheering from bystanders and more smiling from me, "Yeah, let's go" I remember yelling. Gotta step it up a bit; we're gunning for sub 7's all the way. Mile 4 - 6:57. Push it a little more! Mile 5 - 6:35! Whew, I'm breathing and the hill up Folsom is coming. Keep going, maybe you can sprint up the hill into the stadium and slam it home. Ughhh! This hill SUCKS! Finish Line! Hit the chrono. Watch says 42:35, YEAH. 6:52min/miles. A dream has come true and I feel solid!
Where's my crew, those great group of runners that unknowingly coerced me into this thing?
First, water, on my head; more water, in my face, on my head again and again. It's cold outside but I am hot and sweaty. Next, restroom, food, stretch then, find the girls.
Sweet, there's Stephanie and some more of the club. High five, congrats and all that! All of you rock and I'm glad to tag along.
Next, a marathon! God help me.