USATF – XC Club Nationals

On Saturday, I put myself on the starting line for the USATF Cross Country Club Nationals which were held here in Spokane.   Teams from all over the country flew into my hometown to compete.  I wasn’t expecting to place high, but I wanted to represent the SDP (Spokane Distance Project), since it was a local event.   The temp was below freezing hovering in the mid 20’s.  There was no snow on the ground but the ground was frozen so it was going to be fast.    I was hoping to hit each mile of the 10k course averaging just under 7’s.  My hammy which was bothering me all through the month of October and for part of November, was finally healthy.  Still, this was going to be my first real test back from knee surgery.  I had no clue what kind of pace I could hold for a real race.

I couldn’t have been happier.  My gps miles showed as follows:
Mile 1: 6:13, Mile 2: 6:37, Mile 3: 6:29, Mile 4: 6:38, Mile 5: 6:33, Mile 6: 6:38 .4 Mile: 6:29 (6.4 Miles: 40:02).  Nice.  Average Mile Pace 6:31. But wait!  This was a USATF certified 10k course, so my real time was 40:02 over 6.2 miles (not 6.4).  My GPS must have gotten confused by all of the tight turns.  My official mile pace ended up being 6:46/mile.  I’ll take it!  Never mind that I finished waaayyyyyy back in the pack. I…..ran….sub…..7’s.  Even picked off a few runners in the final miles.  The best part is that I am just BEGINNING to get back into racing shape.

I feel like I should schedule a January or February race to keep the fire alive!   Staying optimistic means setting goals.   Hmmm what to do what to do!  Wait!  The Hip Runner/Zero Runner Marathon is coming up on February 9th.  If you haven’t signed up, you should!  It will be motivation for you to train through the winter months.  Find out more by clicking this link.

Lastly, I have to give a big shout out to my running team.  On those Tuesday nights when I reeaallly don’t want to run, these boys have a way of making the workouts tolerable.  The pic below shows the SDP boys who competed in the master’s race……