Mark
The Mad City 10 K is part of the Mad City Marathon group of
races held last Sunday morning. This is my first race of the
year but training has been going well so I was optimistic
for a good run.
The course starts at the capital in Madison, WI goes out to
the near east side and then back along the bike path next to
Lake Monona to finish in Olin Park. It is a beautiful course
and there were a lot of walkers, especially for the 5K. I
parked near the capital and watched the marathon and half
marathon start about 15 minutes before us. The 10K and 5K
race start at the same time, with the 5K race splitting off
at about the mile mark going to the bike path along the lake
and to the finish.
The weather was cool with the wind picking up. Rain
showers were on the radar and it looked like it could rain
at any time. There were about 300 runners in the 10 K and
another 300 in the 5K. I started about a third of the way
back, knowing that the 5K runners should be moving much
faster than
me. My goal was 42:00 minute 10K, starting slow and running
a negative split.
The start leaves the capital, down a rather large hill. The
course had kilometer markers rather than mile markers, which
I like. Of course I missed the first two markers. But I felt
comfortable with the pace. I was in a good pack until the 5K
runners broke off. Then there were just a few runners
around. By the 3K mark, (12:06 or ~ 4:02 min/K) two runners
were about 50 m in front of me and 3 runners were 50 m
behind. I was running alone. My two splits were 4:05 and
4:10 for a 20:21 at the half way point. A little fast, but I
was feeling good.
At the half way point, it started to rain hard and the wind
picked up. My next K slowed to 4:28 with the rain, wind, and
the only hill. Still running alone, I regained my focus for
a 4:02 and a 4:07 over the next two. Finally at around 8K,
the rain slowed down and one of the runners behind me caught
up. I went with him and we caught the two runners that we
had been following. The four of us ran together to the end,
with my last two split of 3:38 and a 4:17. I out kicked my
fellow runners and finished in 40:58
(4:06 min/K). I was 15th overall and 4th in my age group.
The finish had water, sports drink, fruit, and fruit bars.
The T-shirts are great with a good color scheme and logo.
Capital Brewery put on the finish line festival, but I did
not stay long. I was wet and getting cold. I thought about
taking the bus back to the start, but instead ran slowly
along the bike path back to my car.
I was very happy with my race and felt strong. I believe
that I started a little too fast (20:21 vs 20:37). I believe
that the 5K runners may have affected me. I am looking
forward to my next race in two weeks for better weather and
an even pace.
Mark http://running.krisandmark.com/
races held last Sunday morning. This is my first race of the
year but training has been going well so I was optimistic
for a good run.
The course starts at the capital in Madison, WI goes out to
the near east side and then back along the bike path next to
Lake Monona to finish in Olin Park. It is a beautiful course
and there were a lot of walkers, especially for the 5K. I
parked near the capital and watched the marathon and half
marathon start about 15 minutes before us. The 10K and 5K
race start at the same time, with the 5K race splitting off
at about the mile mark going to the bike path along the lake
and to the finish.
The weather was cool with the wind picking up. Rain
showers were on the radar and it looked like it could rain
at any time. There were about 300 runners in the 10 K and
another 300 in the 5K. I started about a third of the way
back, knowing that the 5K runners should be moving much
faster than
me. My goal was 42:00 minute 10K, starting slow and running
a negative split.
The start leaves the capital, down a rather large hill. The
course had kilometer markers rather than mile markers, which
I like. Of course I missed the first two markers. But I felt
comfortable with the pace. I was in a good pack until the 5K
runners broke off. Then there were just a few runners
around. By the 3K mark, (12:06 or ~ 4:02 min/K) two runners
were about 50 m in front of me and 3 runners were 50 m
behind. I was running alone. My two splits were 4:05 and
4:10 for a 20:21 at the half way point. A little fast, but I
was feeling good.
At the half way point, it started to rain hard and the wind
picked up. My next K slowed to 4:28 with the rain, wind, and
the only hill. Still running alone, I regained my focus for
a 4:02 and a 4:07 over the next two. Finally at around 8K,
the rain slowed down and one of the runners behind me caught
up. I went with him and we caught the two runners that we
had been following. The four of us ran together to the end,
with my last two split of 3:38 and a 4:17. I out kicked my
fellow runners and finished in 40:58
(4:06 min/K). I was 15th overall and 4th in my age group.
The finish had water, sports drink, fruit, and fruit bars.
The T-shirts are great with a good color scheme and logo.
Capital Brewery put on the finish line festival, but I did
not stay long. I was wet and getting cold. I thought about
taking the bus back to the start, but instead ran slowly
along the bike path back to my car.
I was very happy with my race and felt strong. I believe
that I started a little too fast (20:21 vs 20:37). I believe
that the 5K runners may have affected me. I am looking
forward to my next race in two weeks for better weather and
an even pace.
Mark http://running.krisandmark.com/
