Newport 10,000 Race Report 2011

Official Results
6.2 miles
43:05 minutes
6:55 average pace
27/508 women
13/138 age group

Garmin Results
6.34 miles
43:02 minutes
6:48 average pace

Splits: 6:11, 6:49, 7:03, 7:11, 7:05, 6:52, 5:35

*Something is always wrong with that first mile in Jersey City. Something to do with the satellites getting confused with all the tall buildings. I think I crossed the first mile closer to 6:30.

Race Report
Yesterday was another beautiful day for a race. I have been so lucky with fantastic weather on race days this year! The weather could not have been better and the course was run on yet another beautiful course that begins running through historic sections of Jersey City and ends along the water with gorgeous views of lower Manhattan. Of course by the time I got to the water, I couldn’t concentrate much on the views, but they were there and beautiful none the less. The scenery made for a scenic warm up/cool down and was the perfect place for post-race picture taking.

I set my sights low for this race as to not be disappointed, aiming for an average pace between 6:45-7:00. My PR 10k pace is 6:38, but I knew I wasn’t setting any personal records today. My goal was only to continue improving and showing progress from the post marathon recovery. I do believe I am (finally!) fully recovered from Boston. Now I need to get some good speed workouts in because my body has been trained for endurance.

The race course was flat and fast with virtually no hills. I started out strong, feeling good and was happy with my first 2 miles. Then, as always, I slowed down in the middle where two of my teammates passed me. I hung in there for the next 3 miles, trying to get back into a rhythm and a little before mile 5 I was able to pick it up a bit. This is around where we entered the waterfront and I always think this part of the race is closer to the finish than it actually is. I kicked it into gear and was able to pass a bunch of people in that last mile. At the very final stretch, a girl was gaining on me, trying to pass, and of course I couldn’t let that happen so I sprinted strong all the way to the finish.

It wasn’t my best 10k race, but it certainly was not my worst, so I was pleased.

Another cool thing about this race is the amount of elite runners who come out in hopes of winning some of the 10,000+ dollars in prize money. Racing is the only sport in which just about anybody can “compete” with the professionals. My dad compared this to baseball or football. Even if you love to play either of those sports and continue to play in leagues, chances are you aren’t going to be playing in a game with your favorite sports star. Not true in running.

Post-Race Pictures

Sneaker Factory Club:

Women’s Team

The women’s team finished in 2nd place, and the men placed first.

Afterwards my dad took some pics down by the water.

Oh wait. We stopped at Starbucks first. Of course. We are coffee addicts.

Lovely Marina.

View of NYC

Lower Manhattan

“Lighthouse”

Then, almost immediately after the photo session, Dan called to pick me up from the race because we were off to a wedding on Long Island for the night…

Tagged as: Newport 10k race report