Humid and Warm Capitol 10K

So today was the annual Capitol 10k road race in Austin. This is actually the biggest event of the year with close to 15k participants. I met the group on a nasty humid morning at 7:45. We did our usual two mile warmup and drills. I hit the potty before drills and then headed over to the start with Patrick. We hit a bush real quick and got in the blue corral with Marci, Alex, Diana and some other Gazelles.

The race went off a couple of minutes late and we were off. I was still shooting for a PR, but knew that 42:xx was totally out of the realm of possibilities. We shot up Congress and over to San Jacinto. I saw Carla and the girls at the corner of corner of Cesar Chavez and Congress which was nice since they usually just come out for the marathon. I ran the first mile in 6:59 which was exactly what I wanted to do. We headed across 15th street and the rolling hills. I grabbed some water along there, but was already feeling tired. I did miles 2 and 3 in 14:42 (7:21 average). We made the turn down the MoPac frontage road where I should have been able to pick up some speed during the down hill, but I didn't. I covered mile 4 in 7:18 and I was feeling like total crap when we hit RunTex Lake Austin. I thought about just stopping and waiting for my sister in law, Kalee, to come by so I could run her in, but pressed on. I needed to be strong mentally even if my body was slowing. We headed across Cesar Chavez and the gradual uphill. I did mile 5 in 7:28...even slower. I saw Carla and the girls again right before the bridge and was hoping that would help with my kick for the last mile. I tried to do a last mile kick, but didn't have it in me. I did the last 1.2 miles in 8:59 (7:29 pace).

I finished and the doubled back to pick up Kalee. She was running her 2nd 10k and I wanted to run with her to the bridge. Her family and my family were waiting at the corner to cheer her on. I wandered back into the main finish area with the girls and we saw some of my friends as they were heading out. I visited a bit, got the girls some juice, and then we headed out. It was a brutal day, but still a fun race.

I have to give a special shout to Bernard, Gilbert's cousin, who was leading by a lot with about a quarter mile to go when the the heat got him. He crumpled to the ground and didn't finish. He is doing well today so that is good, but I know he was disappointed in not winning for the second year in a row.

10k - 45:24/7:19 pace (PR is 44:34 from last year's race; Overall Finish 412/5136)
Overall Finish - 329/5100
Age Group Finish - 38/415

Stats - 9.7 miles (warmup, race and cool down)