Race Report - Awesome 80s run 10K

I'm 4 weeks into my 12 week 1/2 marathon training program. I signed up for a did a 10K this morning - it was an 80s theme/costume run so it was supposed to be fun.

I started off in a costume but thankfully, a very frustrating late start gave me a chance to run to my car and change right before we took off. It had originally been scheduled to start at 7am, then bumped to 9, but we werent allowed to start until 10. By 10am in So Cal - we are in the 80-90 degree temp range.

It was a poorly organized race but despite having very warm temps, NO WATER, being forced to dodge cars because they refused to close down the roads, it turned out to be a very solid run for me and a PR by about 4-5 minutes (official results arent up yet, but unofficially a great PR) at 1:11:39.

When I first started my training program, my runs were averaging 12:00-12:30 min/miles and that was on totally flat ground. Ive been feeling frustrated because I want to be faster, but looking back at today and my run log from the last couple weeks, I have been getting faster, so I am excited about that.

It was a double loop kind of thing since it was a combined 5k/10k - I almost quit after the first loop because I felt the dehydration setting in (not sweating at that point, had the chills, blah!) but I had about 10oz of powerade in my fue belt left, so I pressed on. There was one little hill between miles 3-4 that made my hip feel weird but since it didnt hurt, i kept going. I actually picked up the pace and it went away. I made it up a few little other hills without slowing down too - but I definitely need to add more hills in my training runs.

I was hot and tired when I was done, but I could have kept going for a bit more, so I have a little confidence as I start increasing my long runs. Ive never run further than a 10K so I'll be setting some new records for myself

I have another 10K and a 15k scheduled in the next month - im excited as I get closer to the half marathon at the end of October.

 You are amazing!  Post some pics of your 80s outfit!

 I will have to wait until next week when I get back to the office since my lap top is hanging out there for now. If you have FB, you can add me and see them there (just PM me) or check out MFP profile pic. 

A-MAZ-ING!!!! You'll do fab in the Half!! One tip for hills that I read in Runners World is to lengthen your stride and keep your body perpendicular to the ground on incline - I try that and they don't seem as bad. I mean, hills suck, but not as bad.

 Yeah i noticed I tend to hunch over a little - lean forward going up the hill - like im trying to pull a quick one on gravity. Hasnt worked to well - haha. 

Thanks for the info :)

Awesome! Can't believe the (lack of) support on the course... so even better that you finished strong!

Thank heavens I had my own small bottle with powerade. If the medal wasnt super cool, I'd complain that I paid just for someone to measure out a 6.2 course....but, the bling was totally worth it :)

 Awesome race time! Especially considering how poorly the race was organized. Way to go on a great race despite the adversities of the day

Congrats on the PR! Remember that speed comes from BASE. You will get the speed you want as you continue to grow your Aerobic Base...

Awesome job,

Congrats!