Edwards Turkey Trot 10k Recap: (44:57)

I didn’t have excessive expectations for the Edwards Turkey Trot 10k. The truth is, I didn’t actually plan to race it arduous till we began, and I noticed I’d be capable to win.

It’s type of comical—in one of the simplest ways potential. Whereas scripting this recap, I received inquisitive about my current 10k instances, and this 44:57 is definitely certainly one of my higher current performances. I ran each the Las Vegas and Richmond Half Marathons at a sooner tempo, however I haven’t been working many quick 10ks currently. Which is ok.

Earlier than the Edwards Turkey Trot 10k

With any base race, I don’t put an excessive amount of stress on myself. I don’t have a flowery pre-race technique, and I don’t exit of my approach to gasoline, taper, or do something particular. I need to help the set up races and attempt to attend as many as potential, however I don’t suppose, these are the races I’m going to PR at. The truth is, about half the time, I find yourself jogging them with buddies…LOL.

I used to be nonetheless on East Coast time and awakened at 3:30 a.m. I truly labored from about 3:30 to 7 a.m., then received prepared for the Edwards Turkey Trot 10k at 8 a.m. It felt like a late begin, however fortunately, work is accommodating. I jogged the 2 miles to the race begin. We had a fast animal security temporary, after which we have been off.

The occasion is free, with no medals, bibs, or shirts. It jogs my memory of grassroots racing and why we take part in occasions like this.

Edwards Turkey Trot 10k

After the race began, I instantly discovered myself in first place general. I hadn’t anticipated that as a result of there are a number of quick runners on Edwards, simply none of them occurred to be racing that day. My guess is that they couldn’t get off work at 8 a.m. for a 10k.

I knew the primary mile was flat, adopted by a few 100-foot climb at mile 2, then again downhill, with the remaining being flat. I’ve run a whole bunch of miles on this course after I’m not tooling round within the desert.

I hit the primary mile in 7:10 and was stunned. Between Richmond and the Edwards Turkey Trot 10k, I got here down with some form of illness that left me very congested. Fortunately, it wasn’t COVID (I examined a number of instances). I wasn’t even certain I might keep an 8-minute tempo.

The second mile went uphill, and I ran a 7:12. It’s my second-fastest time on that specific Strava section, though I’ve solely pushed arduous there as soon as earlier than. I might really feel my lungs working tougher than common due to the congestion.

There was a youthful cross-country child who appeared to be gaining on me. Since shifting to the West Coast, I’ve grow to be a stronger-than-average downhill runner, so I informed myself to push the downhill. By no means thoughts that it was solely mile 3…I ran a 7:02.

We headed again towards the beginning line of the Edwards Turkey Trot 10k for mile 4. You move the beginning line at round 4.6 miles, then double again for a bit extra distance. By this level, I used to be working alone.I cheered for buddies and simply centered on ending,

After turning round, I noticed, Man, it’s actually windy. The following two miles have been tough, and I ran 7:20 and seven:27.I used to be not feeling nice resulting from getting over the illness and I crossed the Edwards Turkey Trot 10k end line in 44:57, ending as the primary individual general.

Submit-Race Shock

I hadn’t anticipated successful first place and a turkey! They didn’t separate prizes by gender, so it was simply first individual general. That left me jogging the 2 miles again residence carrying a 12-pound frozen turkey. I averaged a 12:55 tempo on the way in which residence, and truthfully, it felt like a tougher exercise than the race itself. I’m pleased with that tempo!

Edwards Turkey Trot 10k Ideas

General, I’m pleased with my effort, particularly contemplating all of the mucus in my lungs proper now. It was primarily a solo arduous effort, so I’m happy to have run as quick as I did. I’m hoping to clear the congestion quickly, with the marathon arising in two weeks.