Navy 10 Nautical Miler 2016

HUNTING (again). A year had passed from my 2015 10NM Run. I had trained harder and raced faster for other events. My Winter was getting times good enough to qualify for Boston and the Spring was to improve my shorter distance 5K running. The 10NM was in between those distances where you need to go really fast but maintain good speed much faster than Marathon pace.
My coach had been telling me to start running in the front and not be afraid of the elite runners. For a few 5K races in recent weeks, I've been trying to run with big dogs at the start line.

Late to the Start Line (Or on time to an Early Gun Start). Porta-Potty or not, when you gotta go, just GO!

START

With the full intent of starting at the line with the big dogs, I found myself with a setback. The race was supposed to start at 6:00AM for Wheelchair and 6:03 for the rest. I was in a slow restroom line while speeches were being made and the national anthem played. By the time it was my turn to go in, I was still in the porta-potty when the race started. Eight minutes early from the scheduled start. I gave a little chuckle. No Stress. "Just go into hunt mode," I thought.

Just passed my friend Jeff.
I think I was listening to
David Bowie "Modern Love" when I passed him.
Nautical Mile #2

During the first mile, I thought a top 20 finish was probably where I was going to end up. There was just so many people in front of me. I kept recalling my coach telling me to stay with the "big dogs." That was what I was trying to catch and had no real idea how far they were ahead.

RHYTHM

I was in rhythm by mile3, I was rolling to the music. When I got to Navy Lake, I was passing people in bunches. I was passing friends who knew I was coming as my music was blaring. My friends Johnny, Plex, Veronica, Anik, and Jeff would laugh at me and my 80's music as I went by.
I took the right onto the long stretch of Bethel Road when I got a glimpse of the lead car half a mile ahead. I still couldn't make out any of the elite runners or how many there were ahead. At this moment I was in a group of four (3 males and a female), except for that lead car 1/2 a mile from us, I couldn't see anyone ahead. I decided to surge passed this group for a very long hunt.

I sensed a putrid smell. There it was! A fresh dead skunk at Mile5. Oh the smell of a country road in the morning. Thank goodness it wasn't too hot, that thing would be ripe and cooking.

As I entered the base, I felt alone. I couldn't hear anyone behind me. There were no cheers after people cheered me when I passed. I asked aid stations volunteers how many runners were ahead, there were only SIX!?! However, I hadn't seen any of them. I had chased almost everyone down (except 6 runners) by Mile7. I was "No Man's Land". No one in front and no one I could hear behind. I'd later find out I was 1minute behind #6 and 1minute ahead of #8. I found myself having to play mental games and utilize speedplay to keep tempo.

The FINISH

The weather was not as hot as last year. But really heated up at Mile8. On the final mile kick out of the base, I gave out a huge yell. I was getting physically exhausted and being alone was mentally taxing. But instead of cruising in, I wanted to hammer it home. I was further motivated at seeing another runner ahead, albeit over 300yds ahead. Finally a target to attempt to catch.
However, at 300yrds with less than a mile left his lead was pretty much insurmountable. Just seeing him though still made me push harder.
In the last 100yrds, I saw the clock reading gun-time below 1h20m. I hammered hard to try to get under it but missed it by 1-second. I would later find out my chip time was 1h18m10sec.
I didn't run a perfect race but I still finished 4th in Chip-time and 7th in Gun-time. I ran this race the way I trained for it. I chased and passed what I could and if I was going to get beat, that runner had better be ready for the heat and pace. I couldn't hunt down fellow runners Tim, Marcus or Morgan (the Overall Winner).

However, I found out I was good enough to win the Masters and go almost 4 minutes faster than the previous year. By all accounts it was Great Race Day.

-SOUNDTRACK-
I meticulously set my music for 1h17min (off by +1minute).
10 NM Music - 1:17:12
4:18 Macklamore "Can't Hold Us"
4:06 Nelly Furtado "I'm Like a Bird"
4:50 Billy Idol "Dancing With Myself"...
3:37 General Public "Tenderness"
3:59 David Bowie "Modern Love"
3:34 Fleetwood Mac "Tusk"
4:48 Allman Brothers "Ramblin Man"
4:27 Aerosmith "Rag Doll"
4:43 The Alarm "The Stand"
4:23 Red Rider "Lunatic Fringe"
4:18 Simple Minds "All the Things She Said"
4:43 One Republic "Counting Stars"
4:21 Nicki Minaj "Starships"
3:50 Fort Minor "Remember the Name"
4:03 Lady Gaga "Poker Face"
3:28 La Roux "Bulletproof"
4:37 Billy Joel "Pressure"
5:07 Jackson Browne "Running on Empty"
Each song was purposely placed in an area close to where I'd be on the course. I thought of what kind of tempo I'd want to set or what motivation I'd need to push myself harder. (yeah, it's OCD)

-MENTALITY-

I started thinking about my Friend. She had talked about buckling down for her M-Series races. I told her that I start to thinking about things that motivate me. Sometimes I think about being peaceful. Those are the best. Everything is smooth and you are invincible. But times like this 10NM when things aren't as smooth, the weather isn't as nice or something just didn't go right. I start falling back on this internal rage. That chip on your shoulder. Not really hate. But that feeling that I wasn't good enough. So this is my chance in my little world where I can do something about it. I can run my butt off to prove I am better than that chip.
I'm in my late 40's now. That means I've had 40+ years of life giving me a bunch of great moments. But, it's also given me a bunch of heartache. Something in the past that got us and beat us. I sometimes dig into those moments of failure, even though they have nothing to do with running and draw energy and power from it. It's mentally thinking, "this run can make some of those past aggravations better. I am better than that!"
I just wanted to share that. Sounds trivial, but I sometimes I let the negatives come into my head, but instead of dwelling on it or push me backwards, I will do everything to beat those fears. I guess I need those fears to motivate me too.

-AWARDS & RESULTS-

Captain Paul Dinus is one hard guy to catch.
Last year he ran a 1:18:25.
I beat that but he came out today with a 1:14:58 getting 3rd Overall.

My training buddy Tim getting
#2 in his Age Group! Great job

I want to get my medal with a glass of wine or Champaign in my left hand too.
Marcus (atop) actually beat me to the line. One of the 6 guys I couldn't hunt down from the back.
(also pictured is AG 2nd Place - Jeff N.)

MILE SPLITS
Mile 1 - 6:36
Mile 2 - 6:35
Mile 3 - 6:53
Mile 4 - 6:54...
Mile 5 - 6:46
Mile 6 - 6:45
Mile 7 - 6:39
Mile 8 - 6:49
Mile 9 - 6:52
Mile 10 - 6:56
Mile 11 - 6:59
Mile 11.51 - 2:51

Last year #1 in Age Group (45-49). This year #1 Masters. Gotta work Harder to get into the bigger spots. Working the Can't Stop Endurance Training Shirt on the Podium

Took almost 4minutes off my time last year.
In 3yrs of The Navy 10 Nautical Miler
2016-1:18:10, 4th place (-03m54s)
2015-1:22:04, 8th place (-55m54s)
2014-2:17:58, 516th place
49.5 Intensity Points (Daniels Training Table) on 51.1VDOT