Sunday, February 18, 2024

Kanagawa 10k – Among best run races in my life

  

So I had finally reached acceptance with the reality of aging and that I am not as fast as 5 years ago.  See post from Toda run in November where under ideal conditions I manage 39:30.  


After blowing up on numerous 5k time trials and ParkRun trying to break 19 minutes, I had reconciled myself to running team 5k time trials with the 20-minute pace group.



 Thus I had limited expectations at the February 4th Kanagawa 10k when the race starts.  Freezing rain and struggle to even tie my shoes at the starting line further diminish my optimism.


Moreover my initial split 
 4 minutes at 1k, 8 minutes at 2k cause me to despair about embarrassing myself.   So I tell myself – “you are out here anyway, let's try to make this a decent tempo workout.  



At his point I focus on just maintaining decent form.  And somehow run a 3:50.  And then another 3:50* 



The event is an out-and back on an elevated highway and I only feel stronger on return half speeding up to 3:45 on what would normally be toughest and slowest part of race.  I hit 9k in just over 34:30.  







Strangely I tie up on some twists at end and instead of my usual final kick, my last kilometer is back to 4 minutes.   I am momentarily disappointed with final split, but then the realization of running 38:35 at my age sinks in.   In almost all my races over the years I have felt a bit dissatisfied with time -- but not on this day.  


I even improve on my recent 5k marks -shattering 19 minutes during the middle portion of 10k.  




  


There are 320 guys in my age group.  


I win 



I win by over a minute*



 

I look up my age adjusted time as I am waiting at award ceremony.  It is fast - too generous of adjustment to even mention to others -- or here. 




*All splits are slightly rounded - GPS not working under highway overpass and gloves too wet to hit split button on watch 


* No more "humble bragging"  I will just blatantly boast 


2 comments:

TokyoRacer said...

At the start of a race you just never know what will happen.

George Nicholson said...

Way to go, Jay! You're back in top form.