First 10K 106:30

Running 6.2 miles is no joke. That was the farthest I have have ran in my life without stopping. It was no easy feat. I had to run slower then I was use to. I thought 11 minute miles was going to be to slow for me. I thought I was going to breeze through it. Here is what really happened:

The first 4.5 miles were pretty easy. I was breathing good and my music was keeping me occupied. I was feeling great. Usually about 2 miles in I am breathing hard. But I also push myself to run under 10 minutes. I ran these 4.5 miles at just under 11 minutes per mile. I believe it was close to 10:47.

At 4.5 miles I decided to pick up the pace a bit because I wasn't struggling much at all. I started to pick up my pace to around 10 minute mile. About a half mile in to the new pace I started to feel a familiar burn in my lungs. I thought about giving up and walking. Then the realization hit me! Running faster wasn't the goal, it was running the full 6.2 miles. So why was I running faster and killing myself? I then decided to run at just a pace I was comfortable at. I slowed my pace back down to 10:30.

Then next thing I knew I had run 6 miles already with .20 left to run. At the last minute I decided sprint it out. I ran so fast, arms pushing hard and  my foot stride very wide. I was going to pass the 10 people a head of me and I was going to do it with pride.

The finish line came fast. So many onlookers gave me high fives and right on's for finishing so strong. I was never more proud of myself. That was one of the hardest things I have done in my life.