There’s no place I’d rather get water (or Osmo!), than at a mid-race aid station. Last weekend I was back on the start line at a local Atlanta favorite, the Charles Harris 10k Road Race. Charles Harris is a point-to-point, net downhill course that gives runners a great opportunity for fast times compared to the typical hillfests we find around Atlanta.
A point-to-point race also gave a few of my Dynamo teammates and I the opportunity to park at the finish, then run the race course in reverse to the start line!
Ryann, Erin, Scotty, Me, Katrina, Ashley, and Lesley all smiles pre warm-up!!
I really like long warm-ups, so I think our six mile jog actually helped me prepare for the race more than it tired me out. We had PERFECT running weather this year so I went out in a slightly more controlled than usual 5:25 first mile, then spent the next five miles focused on staying strong on the slight uphills and really taking advantage of the downhills.
I’m three-for-three in good races in my SMASH green burnout tee! Definitely convinced it’s lucky!!
I managed to hold on and barley beat the quickly closing Holly from the Atlanta Track Club to finish first female with a new 10k PR of 36:42!! (Full results HERE)
Still smiling post-race with (top) Brent, Carmen, Ryann, Katrina, April; (bottom) Lauren, Ashley, Shanks, Me
I’m thrilled with my run speed given where I am in my training and I’ve already had friends Jason and Meghan say they’ll help pace me to a sub-36 finish time next year!! Not a bad progression considering I was proud of my 53 minute finish at the Peachtree Road Race 10k less than seven years ago!
The long warm-up may have been a secret weapon since quite a few Dynamo athletes set PRs and landed on the podium in a very competitive local field.
Ashley, showing off her hardware. Watch out for this girl – I predict big things!!
After the race I hopped in the car and drove down to Macon to join the Middle Georgia Tri Club for a ride. Luckily the group is full of super strong athletes so I was able to sit in the back and chat while they did the work!
The club had arranged for SAG support, TWO police escorts, a beautiful course, and equally gorgeous weather! I loved seeing new and familiar faces and hearing about everyone’s 2014 race plans. I’m pretty sure I came away from the outing just as inspired as anyone else!
Big THANK YOU to the Middle GA Tri Club for inviting me down to visit! Can’t wait to see everyone at the races!! And CONGRATS again to everyone who race Charles Harris!! The year is setting up to be a good one for all of us!!
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
1) Awesome race – 36:42 is no joke!
2) Even more awesome that you ran 6 miles before the race, uphill! We have a race here that’s similar – point-to-point, net downhill, usually with the wind. We race it, then cooldown back to the car. When we did Peachtree in 2011, we did the same.
Thanks! I may have to figure out a way to do this for Peachtree. We usually take MARTA (public transportation) to the start, then run home, but I really enjoy the long warm-up!!
Are Brent and Kyle going to pace you to the sub-36:00 next year? They’ll probably be right in that neighborhood, too!
I looked over my shoulder for you when I went through the mile in 5:11. No mile PR for you on this day! 😉 Congrats on the win, though, and the solid time. I think that the net downhill was only really responsible for about :20.
I think Brent and Kyle should definitely join the sub-36 pace crew! And next year I’m going out faster and not letting you get away so early!! I like the 20″ differential…I should probably clarify that “net downhill” does not equal “downhill.” Peachtree is probably net downhill, and that race is a BEAR. Congrats to you too, speedy George the Swimmer!
Dang! 36:42 is smoking fast! Congratulations on a fantastic race and all that amazing improvement. I can’t wait to see you tear up the race circuit this year. Wow!