Race Report: Darlington Pit Stop 10k (2011)
Race Date: 6.7.2011
Official Finishing Time: 37:58 gun time
Official Overall Position: 12/167 (finishers), which puts me in the fastest 7.19%
Race number: 49
An overdue race report from this race that I did during my brief visit to the UK earlier in July. I was keen to do this race as I did it a year ago as well (race report here), and I knew it to be a flat, fast course. However, the preparation for the race was far from ideal, as I was in Scotland the previous weekend for some hiking and fell running (details to follow). My quads were still sore on race day, and I was certainly not in proper racing shape. Still, it was nice to do a race in the UK, and I had no real pressure since I accomplished my season’s target for 10k, sub 38min, already in April back in NYC. I thought I’d have a go at sub 38min again though, and just about managed it, so I’m happy enough with the result. This was also almost 3min faster than a year ago, so there has certainly been some progress! The fight started already about 5k in, but I managed ok splits throughout and even a sprint finish of sorts. Extra motivation was provided by chasing a Quakers RC guy whom I recognized from last year — I lost by 1:23min to him a year ago, but this time I was just 12sec behind, with no one between us. I improved my position from 26th last year to 12th this year. It was also a pleasure to see a running acquaintance, Stuart, and his family (thanks to Stuart for the photo! I’m about the 10th guy in black gear and sunglasses).
Darlington Pitstop 10k
Splits:
1k 3:32
2k 3:44
3k 3:42
4k 3:39
5k 3:48 (5k in 18:25)
6k 3:46
7k 3:48
8k 3:51
9k 3:46
10k 3:41
Total: 10.22k in 37:59
My 5k split was pretty good, and I would’ve been en route to a PB had I been able to maintain the pace, but it was no surprise that my legs couldn’t take that speed for the full distance after a weekend of hiking and fell running. Still, I beat my 5k PB (18:46) once again! Average heart rate was 174bpm.
Think that you more than well prepared for a sub 3hrs, pulling off this speed from tired legs. If your endurance is still at the point of the Mamores run you certainly will manage to keep it up. Lately there seems to be a bit of a lack in long slow runs according to your Garmin data though.
We’ll see… As to the lack of LSRs, it’s more of a lack of running in general due to my travels! I did a 31k LSR the other day though, but didn’t want to push it because of the half marathon this weekend. Planning a 50k run soon afterwards though.