On Saturday I raced the NYRR Mini 10K for the 3rd time in so many years (2012 and 2011 recaps). It’s not easy to find 6.2 mile races around this area, especially through New York Road Runners, so it seems to always be a good goal race. It’s right before marathon training truly starts and the distance allows me to push “my speed” some while also not being in full sprint mode like I am for repeats or a 5k race. I love that for a month or so I can focus and I end up having a strong base to begin marathon training.

However, I wasn’t really confident in my abilities this year after a less than stellar few weeks of training. Yes, Bo and I did a great job of staying active during our Turkey and Switzerland adventures and I logged a few workouts during the work travel to San Francisco and Seattle but at the end of the day flying over 25,000 in a month time period can leave you exhausted regardless of how much water you drink, number of workouts, or healthy meals. However, Saturday morning I woke up after a few glasses of wine and a delicious home cooked dinner with my in-laws and decided to give the race every ounce of effort and enjoy myself. If nothing else at least it’s hard not to smile when one is wearing this much neon.

I have an amazing running coach who continues to motivate me daily both by her accidental PRs and her attitude. On Friday, while we emailed and texted back and forth about the race plan, she reminded me that I’m stronger than I think and that I have sub 9 inside of me for at least a few miles. While I think in a perfect world those sub 9 miles would come later in the race, like oh maybe mile 5, I’m not complaining with my new shiny PR which now tops my Mini 10K race history!

• 2013: 57:57 9:20 pace per mile
• 2012: 1:00:15 9:43 pace per mile
• 2011 1:01:36 9:56 pace per mile

So now that I’ve let you all in on the news that I set a new PR, let me give you a glimpse into how it happen. Keep in mind, do as I say not as I do. Therefore, one should always strive to negative split. However, when you’re tired and unsure of what your body can do running as fast as possible is a whole lot easier.

I met Katie, my awesome running buddy who is looking to mingle with new running friends after my July 11th move, in the Times Warner Center around 7:30 before we headed into the corrals. We had time to chat and stretch in the corrals while enjoying some epic people watching. Everyone was so pumped for the race. There were teenagers running in neon and cool shades while the elite were walking right by us ready to take their place in the front. The energy was contagious and with temperatures in the mid 60s it was the coolest Mini 10K on record! Combine that with some great jams (LOVING Daft Punk, Bastille, Icona Pop,  and will.i.am right now) on the iPod and a running bud who promises to push you makes for a great race.

I went light for this race, running without water, phone, or fuel so I don’t have pictures to share with you or even conscious thoughts since I definitely zoned out for parts of the race. Though Jen caught this picture of us running around mile 3 which pretty much summarizes the way I felt in the early miles. Also, note to self, wear more supportive running bras.

Mile 1: Running is amazing! Look at all these powerful women. I’m so glad I wore my compression socks. My legs feel great. This cool weather needs to last for the entire race. Quick glance at watch to ensure we’re keeping a pace we can maintain reveals 8:20. Oh, hello. Rack my mind to decide which approach I want to take. Decide to give it all I have and can always recover in the middle.

Mile 2: I tell Katie to prepare for some hills as we are approaching the start of Harlem Hills. She smiles and says she’s loving the race so far so I smile back and tell her that we’ll keep up the pace. Icona Pop comes on just as I glance down at my watch finishing mile 2 and see that we kept a 8:28. Right at this moment I start to wish this was a 5k race.

Mile 3: Okay we crushed that hill so just one more big one. I tell myself that I can start grabbing water in this mile so focus on the water station’s arrival instead of the hills. Catch myself rapping Ludacris out loud. Oh well. Grab water and see that we’re at a 8:53 pace. I’m fine with this.

Mile 4: Coming into this mile my body starts to feel the pain. I just sprinted the first half and am left pretty empty. I tell Katie that I’m going to slow it down big time to ensure I can finish strong and that she can leave if she wants. I still don’t know whether she laughed or yelled bullshit but regardless she stayed at my side. I remember what Gia told me and lean into the down hills letting gravity do its job. Feel like we’re keeping a good pace but notice that we’re at a 9:30. Ugh. Really?

Mile 5: Start to get negative in my head because 9:30 is a number I didn’t want to see. To make matters worse Katie misread the sign and tried to tell me we only had a mile left. Ha. But then I realize that was only in the initial race plan which included negative splits. I get out of my head and focus on people watching. I see people I recognize from other races, the gym, a blogger, and then oh hello co-worker. Watch beeps with 9:43.

Mile 6: This race really needs to be done. My legs are screaming and my left quad is straight angry. I grab more water and pour it on my wrists and in my mouth. The humidity is definitely present and I know we have some rolling hills in this mile before the final uphill. I barter with myself. I know I have a PR in the bag and know that reaching the stretch goal is pretty impossible. I want to walk. It’s hot. But then I tell myself that this is when I prove my strength to myself. A year ago I would have walked. This year I trudge through saying that anything is better than walking or stopping. I look down and see 9:39.

Mile 6-6.2:  Why does this race always end on an evil uphill. Let’s see if I see anyone on the sidelines. Oh wait there is Leanne – it’s sprint time. Uhoh, that’s a dry heave. Hold it down Ashley, that will make for an ugly race picture. Look at watch to see the time and give Katie a huge, sweaty hug! We did it! None of the pain matters now because I pushed through and achieved my goal of setting a new PR while leaving myself hungry for the stretch goal Gia set for me of a 57:00 10k.

So there you go. Do as I say (negative split, train hard) and not as I do (push it for as long as you can). But more than anything, reach deep and believe you can do it. There is someone out there who knows you can do it!