This morning, I ran the Plaza 10K in Kansas City. I haven't run many 10Ks, but I think it is becoming my favorite distance. That could be the runner's high talking, except I don't get those runner's highs. A 10K doesn't require a lot of time to train, but it does require some training. The time it takes to run the race will likely be longer than the time it took to drive to the race. The distance is substantial. So, back to the Plaza 10K. The course is pretty darned flat, with just enough little rolling inclines (and declines) to keep it interesting. The weather was perfect: temps in the mid 50's, no wind, and not too much sunshine. I very carefully threw together a perfect playlist the night before that should keep me on track for 10 minute miles. Okay, those are the positives. There were negatives, too. I was dehydrated. I was achy. I was tired. Is my right knee bothering me? My sock and/or shoe (neither is new) is rubbing my left Achilles tendon. In other words, Jackie-the-Sandbagger created all these scenarios that would prevent a good finish under perfect conditions. I was not anticipating a great race. Are you like that, too? Maybe it's just me.
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| Me & Kevin (my speedy husband) after the race. |
As the race started, I queued up my playlist & started my running app. I've tried keeping track of time in my head by looking at my watch, but I always lose track, so I use "Map My Run" and let the voice tell me time, distance, and pace as I listen to music. I am happy to report that the perfect conditions won out over the voice in my head. I finished right at my goal pace. And that's my primary goal pace, not the secondary, slower pace I usually hit instead. I was happy! Along the way, I saw a woman with Tri Tats on & spent a couple minutes chatting with her. She had completed the Olathe Women's Triathlon the day before. I told her I'd done that one the previous 2 years & congratulated her on 2 races in 2 days. I also told her not to listen to her daughter about washing those tats off! Let those suckers wear off over time. I ran on ahead of her and then, a couple miles later, she gave me a little pat on the back as she zipped past me. I gave her a big thumbs up and then finished right behind her.
Jackie's Awesome 10 Minute Mile Spotify Playlist
All day long, I was filled with happy feelings about the race (Hmmm... could this possibly be a runner's high? Nah....) and I got to thinking about my playlist. Music really does make it easier for me. I will run at whatever pace the music is, and it feels harder to run slower than the music tempo, too, so the right playlist forces me to push myself a little bit. My biggest mental block at Ironman Kansas was having to run without music. I spent a lot of time training without it & my times got slower. It was a relief to see that adding the music back to my runs brought my speed back up, too. I decided to write this post & add my playlist to it, because I'm curious to know what makes a great race or run for other people. I used to prefer running on the treadmill and I now prefer the great outdoors, but I'm not quite ready to give up my tunes. The triathlete I met on the course did not have earbuds in when I approached her, but I noticed she was listening to music when she passed me. What about you?
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