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WHYY 12K Recap

November 11, 2012 by Kristy 19 Comments

I ran this race last year and proclaimed “never again”.  The distance (7.45 miles) is strange and I end up running 10K pace and just feel miserable for the last mile.  For some reason I ended up registering again…maybe to get some redemption?

I had 2 goals going into Saturday’s race:

1.  Not race it.  Instead I would use the race as a fast finish long run.  A 13-mile warm up and then a 12K where I would keep the pace moderate.

2.  Beat my time last year – even though I wasn’t racing it.  Given my shitty performance last year (7:59 average pace), it shouldn’t be too hard.

I got up at the crack of dawn on Saturday and was running around Kelly Drive by 6:30AM.  13 nice and easy miles.

IMG_0553
I love Philly

I finished up run #1 around 8:30 and had a 1/2 hour to change out of my cold, sweaty clothes, eat some Shot Bloks, sit in my car and blast the heat, and then head over to the race.  I felt good.

The course is a simple out-and-back along Martin Luther King  Drive.  The weather was perfect.  I kept my pace nice and controlled during the first mile.  When I glanced at my Garmin it read 7:45 pace.  Hmm.

I maintained 7:45 pace until the turnaround (mile 17).  Then I got this incredible rush of endorphins.  I loved everyone and everything.  I dropped my pace slightly.

I saw Ann around mile 18 and got another little burst of energy (Hi Ann!).  I kept pushing onward.  I couldn’t believe how fresh my legs felt.  If only this were a marathon.

I crossed the finish line in 57:15 (7:41 average pace).  A 2+ minute PR from last year, even with a 13-mile warm up.

image

Overall – 38/374
Female – 8/223
AG – 4/51

I cannot wait for the Philly HM next weekend!

Ever get an endorphin rush and love everyone and everything?  It’s like being a happy drunk. 

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: fast finish long run, Kelly Drive, long run, marathon, Philly, Philly Half Marathon, WHYY 12K

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. bethp262 says

    November 11, 2012 at 2:07 pm

    Congrats! What a great run! I love those runs where everything just falls together and feels perfect. Good luck next weekend at Philly.

    Reply
  2. Julie @ Sweetly Balanced says

    November 11, 2012 at 2:47 pm

    Awesome run!! I never thought to just split up my runs like that- I agreed to run a 5k turkey trot with my friend and was upset, bc I typically run 5-7 miles during the week… I’m going to follow after you and run early in the morning before the race as a warmup! 🙂

    Reply
  3. Lisa says

    November 11, 2012 at 3:02 pm

    Wow, that’s somethin!! Nice work in owning that race – even though it had some baggage tied to it.

    Good luck @ Philly!

    Reply
  4. Holly @ Pink-Runner.com says

    November 11, 2012 at 5:02 pm

    Congrats! Awesome run! Good luck next weekend 🙂

    Reply
  5. Sandy says

    November 11, 2012 at 5:35 pm

    Awesome run GIrl! How did you find all of that energy in the end? Have fun next weekend!

    Reply
  6. Kelly says

    November 12, 2012 at 7:16 am

    holy cow, what an awesome run/race, Kristy! Congrats!! I love that endorphin rush feeling – haven’t had it in a while so am hoping it comes back this weekend 🙂 Maybe on Kelly Drive!! haha. I hope I get to see you, too!

    Reply
  7. SeeAlliRun says

    November 12, 2012 at 10:46 am

    Holy speedy! Congrats!

    Reply
  8. Meggie says

    November 12, 2012 at 10:54 am

    Awesome!!! You’ll have a great HM. I did have a little endorphin rush after my marathon. Can’t wait to read about next weekend!

    Reply
  9. Megan @ Megan's Miles says

    November 12, 2012 at 12:49 pm

    Congrats! Sounds like your ultra training is helping you get faster. I had an awesome endorphin rush during my last marathon. I felt pretty bad/tired the entire race until mile 18-19, and then I suddenly had tons of energy and was so happy to be running. It’s such a great feeling!

    Reply
  10. Mandy says

    November 12, 2012 at 2:19 pm

    What a fantastic way to finish a long run! Congrats on an awesome race.

    And yes, I love that endorphin rush!

    Reply
  11. Katie says

    November 12, 2012 at 2:58 pm

    Nice running as usual, Kristy! Can’t wait to read about how you dominated the Philly Half! 🙂

    Reply
  12. Beth @ RUNNING around my kitchen says

    November 13, 2012 at 3:05 pm

    A 12K is definitely a bizarre distance….I might actually hate that more than I hate a 10K 🙂 Congrats on the PR! And I’m so jealous of your run along Kelly Drive – that was where I always ran when I lived there.

    Reply
  13. Kara says

    November 13, 2012 at 8:44 pm

    Wow, great PR, especially with a 13 mile “warm up”. I think you might have crossed over to be an ultra runner with that kind of warm-up 🙂

    Reply
  14. Terzah says

    November 13, 2012 at 10:28 pm

    Wow, you are in fantastic shape! I can’t wait to hear how your half this weekend goes. Congrats!

    Reply
  15. Carl says

    November 14, 2012 at 5:56 am

    Wow. Sounds like you are ready to crush your half marathon PR. good luck. We will be out there cheering.

    Reply
  16. Kate @ NaturaStride says

    November 14, 2012 at 4:43 pm

    Nice race, Kristy!! Awesome. I actually was biking along MLK drive and realized this race was going on so I stopped to cheer for a bit. I wish I saw you!!!
    GOOD LUCK this weekend! I will be cheering!

    Reply
  17. Kim says

    November 16, 2012 at 10:53 am

    Congrats on a fantastic race!! I laughed at the phrase “I loved everyone and everything” — definitely know that feeling. Also familiar with the actual happy drunk feeling, haha. 🙂 I ran a half marathon last month where they had us run right alongside the finish line while we were still 3 miles out–that was definitely an “I love everything” moment. (Of course, it was followed by the sinking reality that we still had a 5K to go, and it was honestly STRAIGHT uphill the whole way in, haha.)

    Great job!

    Reply
  18. Rachel says

    November 19, 2012 at 10:58 am

    I have been M.I.A. I know. So, this is old — but congrats on a wonderful and amazing race. I’m so looking forward to reading your recap on the Philly HM. I bet it was exciting.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Philly Half Recap - runthelongroad.com says:
    November 23, 2012 at 12:46 pm

    […] on my 12K finish last week I figured I could maintain a 7:40-7:45 pace. But I also wanted to feel things out a bit too. Settle […]

    Reply

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