For this one, I chose the Apple Chase 10K in Pompton Plains, which I ran on May 4, 2013. I remember it being notable because it was the first time I met North Jersey's greatest runner, Rob Albano (who, of course, won the race), and also because it was where I achieved my PR, thanks to the super flat course that had nothing even resembling a hill.
There was no illusion that I would come even close to that 38:19 record, nor did I even think I could match the 39:34 result from the Grand Prairie, Texas, race from only five months ago. No, my speed game has gone quickly downhill this year, so there was no expectation that even a sub-40 was in the cards.
I studied the course map from CertifiedRoadRaces.com and set about to run the race late Sunday morning. It was a pleasant 63 degrees and sunny, though a little breezy. Starting with a first mile of 6:10 northbound along West End Avenue was encouraging, but my stamina quickly dropped in the second mile along Mountain Avenue and southbound along the Boulevard, with a 6:18.
Continuing into the wind, it was getting increasingly difficult to maintain even that pace, so my third mile was 6:36. Even after turning onto Slingerland Avenue (now in the borough of Lincoln Park) and doing the quick out-and-back on Frances Road, things were not getting any better with a 6:38.
Ouch. It was not that long ago - just a few years - when those splits were slow for a half-marathon, let alone a 10K. I had to push with all my might along West Parkway to try to make some kind of improvement in the last two miles, especially since I was now heading north with the wind at my back. All I could do in miles five and six, though, was maintain status quo with 6:37 and 6:32, respectively.
The last few tenths of a mile for the Apple Chase race are supposed to be on the grounds of Pequannock Township High School on Sunset Road, through the field gate and onto the track for a big finish (I love track finishes!). Unfortunately, the gates were closed, so I had to turn around and finish the last quarter mile on the road, with a finish time of 40:10, which was around what I expected.
I can only imagine what it would have been like if there were hills involved, but that is something to find out another day. On this day, I ran the best race I could, as a 45-year-old in the early stages of post-PR life. At this point, what matters most is that I keep putting in the effort. I will keep training, I will keep racing, and I will keep posting times, official or not.
Continuing into the wind, it was getting increasingly difficult to maintain even that pace, so my third mile was 6:36. Even after turning onto Slingerland Avenue (now in the borough of Lincoln Park) and doing the quick out-and-back on Frances Road, things were not getting any better with a 6:38.
Ouch. It was not that long ago - just a few years - when those splits were slow for a half-marathon, let alone a 10K. I had to push with all my might along West Parkway to try to make some kind of improvement in the last two miles, especially since I was now heading north with the wind at my back. All I could do in miles five and six, though, was maintain status quo with 6:37 and 6:32, respectively.
The last few tenths of a mile for the Apple Chase race are supposed to be on the grounds of Pequannock Township High School on Sunset Road, through the field gate and onto the track for a big finish (I love track finishes!). Unfortunately, the gates were closed, so I had to turn around and finish the last quarter mile on the road, with a finish time of 40:10, which was around what I expected.
I can only imagine what it would have been like if there were hills involved, but that is something to find out another day. On this day, I ran the best race I could, as a 45-year-old in the early stages of post-PR life. At this point, what matters most is that I keep putting in the effort. I will keep training, I will keep racing, and I will keep posting times, official or not.
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