• Running on Happy
  • Coaching Services
  • Kids Run the Nation
  • Races and Paces
    • 2011
    • 2012
    • 2013
    • 2014
    • 2015
    • 2016
    • 2017
    • 2018
    • 2019
  • Product Reviews
  • Recipes
    • Breakfast
    • Sandwiches and Mains
    • Soups and Stews
    • Slow Cooker
    • Pastas and Sauces
    • Healthy Snacks and Smoothies
    • Salads and Sides
    • Jewish Nosh
  • Running Coaches’ Corner
    • Hydration & Nutrition
    • Running Form
    • Running Tips
    • Strength and Stretch
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Coaching Services
  • Kids Run the Nation
  • Running Coaches’ Corner
    • Hydration & Nutrition
    • Running Form
    • Running Tips
    • Strength and Stretch
  • Races and Paces
    • 2011
    • 2012
    • 2013
    • 2014
    • 2015
    • 2016
    • 2017
    • 2018
    • 2019
  • Product Reviews
  • Recipes
    • Healthy Snacks and Smoothies
    • Breakfast
    • Salads and Sides
    • Soups and Stews
    • Slow Cooker
    • Sandwiches and Mains
    • Pastas and Sauces
    • Sweet Treats and Desserts
    • Jewish Nosh

Race Recap: Kiss Me I’m Irish 10K

March 16, 2016

As promised yesterday, I’m here to tell you all about the Kiss Me I’m Irish 5K/10K/10K Relay today! I seriously can’t believe I’ve been running for 6 years and never ran a 10K before Sunday. But I have to tell you, it is by far my least favorite distance. Grab your coffee and settle in — I’ve got a story.


As the years have gone by, I’ve become less anxious when it comes to racing. That’s not to say it doesn’t happen because believe me, it does. It just happens much later than it used to. I used to have anxiety for at least a week before a race. Now, as it turns out, my anxiety only shows up on race morning.

I ran the 10K with four of my clients (really my friends, but since I’m technically their coach, clients in this case). We were running as a “team” so we picked coordinating outfits. We would be donning orange tops and green bottoms/socks. I laid out my outfit the night before per pre-race routine. Unfortunately the weather was calling for less-than-ideal conditions so I had a feeling I might have to switch it up the next morning. I went to bed and got a decent night’s sleep. The race didn’t start until nine, so I didn’t have to wake up super early either.

Running on Happy | Kiss Me I'm Irish 10K

When I woke up, I checked the weather, and of course knew I had to make the call. I’m more on the cold side than warm, so when I saw it was cloudy, wet, and cool, I knew I wouldn’t be comfortable in shorts no matter how high my socks were. I decided to bail on the outfit and opted for capris instead. And since I wouldn’t be wearing my festive socks, I swapped out my top for a green one to at least show a little bit of St. Patty’s spirit. As I was re-pinning my bib, my hands were shaking. It was almost show-time. Race anxiety was settling in!

Running on Happy | Kiss Me I'm Irish 10K

Yes, that is a garbage bag. I was cold!

I arrived at the race location and after meeting up with the ladies and taking lots of fantastic photos, we took care of business and had to hurry to line up for the race. I really wanted to start with my girls and they wanted to start in the back, and we were the last ones to the party, so we were literally the dead last ones among the mass of 800 or so runners.

Then we were off!

Miles 1-3

The first mile was tough for me. I wasn’t racing, per se, but I did have a strategy that my coach put in place for me. We were using the 10K as a gauge to see where I am in terms of speed and stamina. Plus he was using it as a speed-based training run, which was all good in my book. I haven’t been doing any speed work to speak of since I’ve been mostly on the treadmill, so this was good for me.

Having said that, I did a lot of weaving for the first mile. Most of the course went through a recently converted golf course. It was a bit disorienting once we crossed into the park because most runners were visible for the duration of the race. The 5K runners split off from the 10K runners around mile 2 or so, which made it hard to gauge where I was on the trail. It was nice, though, because as we weaved through, I got to see some of my runners!

Running on Happy | Kiss Me I'm Irish 10K

Around mile 2 I decided I needed some fuel. I’m not sure if it was mental or physical, but I ate a few pieces and felt fairly good after that.

I definitely felt like I went out too fast. That could have been due to all the weaving and extra expended energy, or it could have been because I never reordered the songs on my playlist the night before. All the ‘pump-you-up’ songs were at the beginning of the playlist, which of course got me all fired up right away.

At the relay exchange point, I drank some water — and subsequently waterlogged myself. I ran with my arms up for a little bit while trying to clear my pipe. I’m sure I looked like a hot mess.

First half splits: 9:10, 9:11, 9:06

Mile 4

Heading into the second half of the race, we ran through a neighborhood. It was here that I turned off my music because I was certain I was going to die. That couldn’t have been further from the truth because I wasn’t even running that hard, but there comes a point in any race where I just want to stop and never start again. Just after mile 3 was that time for me. Plus I had a lot of self doubt. I really wasn’t sure what to expect with a 10K in terms of pacing. Turning off my music helped me regroup and get my head back in the game.

Around mile 4 was where I spotted someone who would be a good pacer. The girl I started using as my “pacer” was running strong with a pace around 8:45-8:55 / mile. I decided to stick with her. I didn’t want to race her but I didn’t want to lose her, either. It definitely helped. Having someone just a touch faster than me helped me stay focused.

Mile 5

I should note here, it was soggy during this race. I avoided all the puddles and mud. Until mile 5. At mile 5 there was a massive puddle and there was no way to avoid it. Well, possibly if I ran through the mud, but with a split second to think, I chose the water over mud. Close one.

Mile 6

Then at mile 6 there was a part of the course where we had to run on the grass for maybe 3 feet. Mud!! Gah!

So much for clean shoes.

Running on Happy | Kiss Me I'm Irish 10K

The last part of the course was a fantastic downhill. I picked up a lot of speed on that hill. (Confession: I really love running downhill.) While I was enjoying my effortless free-fall, I did remind myself that what goes down must come up. I prepared myself for the never-ending hill-from-hell.

The hill back up toward the finish line was a beast! It’s awful because you’re running fast and trying to really push it for the last mile and then BOOM! You’re hit with a very long, very unrelenting hill. One guy in front of me ran the entire hill only to stop and walk at the top. I really wanted to encourage him to keep going but I knew how close we were to the finish and I was also so out of breath that even if I had tried to speak nothing would have come out.

Running on Happy | Kiss Me I'm Irish 10K

The last turn heading into the finish was fantastic. I tried to run hard but I had used all my reserve energy on the darn hill. I was spent when I finished and I knew I laid it all out there on the course. It was a good feeling to race again.

I grabbed a water, my medal (well, first a pint glass, then a medal — thanks Geoff!), got myself back together, and headed to the finish area to greet my gals coming in.

Running on Happy | Kiss Me I'm Irish 10K

Second half splits: 9:27, 8:50, 8:54

Overall finish time: 56:23


Watching my clients come in was probably the best part of the day. I got to cheer most of them in and they all had enormous smiles on their faces! The only one I didn’t get to see was a 5K runner. She had finished before me.

Running on Happy | Kiss Me I'm Irish 10K | No Excuses Running Coach

Running on Happy | Kiss Me I'm Irish 10K | No Excuses Running Coach

Running on Happy | Kiss Me I'm Irish 10K | No Excuses Running Coach

After everyone finished, we headed in to the bar to claim our free beers (because Happy St. Patty’s Day and all that — and also, I’ve only claimed a free beer at one other race before. What?!) and get warm.

Running on Happy | Kiss Me I'm Irish 10K | No Excuses Running Coach

Running on Happy | Kiss Me I'm Irish 10K | No Excuses Running Coach

The weather was fairly brutal. Out on the course there were cold, whipping winds in some spots, and then very calm in others. Thankfully the rain held off for the duration of the race. It started pouring while we were inside and thank goodness we were because I was freezing.

Running on Happy | Kiss Me I'm Irish 10K | No Excuses Running Coach

Huge congrats to my girls for completing their first races of 2016. I couldn’t be prouder of them if I tried. I can’t wait to see what the rest of the year holds for you guys! And special thanks to the guys at Lake Health Running Series and Greater Cleveland XC. You guys put on a heck of a race — always a good time!

5K or 10K? Which do YOU choose? #KissMeImIrish #runchat
Click To Tweet

I’m super pleased with my first race of 2016 and my first 10K ever. Will I run another 10K? I’m not sure. It was really tough. I’ve always joked that it was my least favorite distance — too short to run slow but too long to run fast — and it’s true! It was fun, though, and that’s totally what matters.

Happy running!

xo

TALK TO ME!

What’s your favorite distance to race?

Have you been attacked by a massive hill at the end of a race before?


 

If you’re in the Cleve this summer, be sure to check out the other races from the Lake Health Running Series. They’ve got a bunch and they’re seriously some of the best ones I’ve ever run.

This post is linked up with My No-Guilt Life, Marcia’s Healthy Slice, and MCM Mama Runs for Tuesdays on the Run, and with Nicole, Annmarie, Angelena Marie, and Michelle today for Wild Workout Wednesday!

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

Related

10kcoachlake health running seriesracerace recaprunning
Share

General

19 Comments


Erica @ Erica Finds
March 16, 2016 at 8:31 am
Reply

10K is my least fave, too, and 10 mile. Love 5K, 15K and 1/2 marathon. Love pint glasses at races , too!



    rfrutkin
    March 16, 2016 at 8:41 am
    Reply

    I’ve never run a 15K. I’ve done 5K, 10 miler, 1/2 and full. My all time favorite distance to race is the 5K, but I really love training for a full.

Annmarie
March 16, 2016 at 9:32 am
Reply

I love 10ks but it takes a little while to figure out how to approach them . Finding a pace partner in races like this is definitely key- great job on getting it done! Thanks for linking up and sharing 🙂



    rfrutkin
    March 16, 2016 at 1:35 pm
    Reply

    I agree, it takes a minute to figure out pacing for sure. Thanks, Annmarie!

Tamieka
March 16, 2016 at 12:20 pm
Reply

I do like the 10 k distance. I have never really trained for one though.

The Frederick Half in MD has a brutal hill at the end…like really WHY??

Finding that pacer runner is always a relief for me. It allows me to run without having to be so stressed about timing 😉

Good job to you and your girls!



    rfrutkin
    March 16, 2016 at 1:35 pm
    Reply

    Thank you so much!

    Why do they put the mean hills at the end?! Gah!!

Gretchen | Gretchruns
March 16, 2016 at 12:58 pm
Reply

Great job! And I loved your outfit. Hills are a regular occurrence for me since I live in Pittsburgh so I don’t even let them bother me anymore!



    rfrutkin
    March 16, 2016 at 1:36 pm
    Reply

    Lol, Gretchen! I train solely on hills. I don’t even remember the last time I ran on flat terrain! But it still sucks when they’re at the end of a race. 😉

Judy @ Chocolaterunsjudy
March 16, 2016 at 3:49 pm
Reply

I actually really like 10ks — but there aren’t a lot of them. It’s long enough to be challenging, but not so long that you’re toast.

I love going downhill too! Got plenty of practice Sunday (unfortunately, even more practice going uphill.

I’ve done many, many, many races with a big hill right before the end. Why, RDs, why?



    rfrutkin
    March 16, 2016 at 4:03 pm
    Reply

    It’s a cruel joke. They’re probably laughing as all the runners are coming in dragging a$$. ?

Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner
March 16, 2016 at 4:21 pm
Reply

10K races are actually one of my favorite distances. They are relatively easy to train for and you still feel like you accomplished something at the end. I love to watch my friends finish their races too!



    rfrutkin
    March 16, 2016 at 7:32 pm
    Reply

    That’s true. They definitely aren’t hard to train for. And you do get a good workout so the post celebratory beer or brunch is well-earned!

Nicole @ Fitful Focus
March 16, 2016 at 5:12 pm
Reply

CONGRATS to you and your team! I’m not a huge fan of 10ks either, which is weird because I love doing 6 mile training runs. My fave is the half marathon.



    rfrutkin
    March 16, 2016 at 7:33 pm
    Reply

    Thank you so much! I love the half, too. It’s fun to train for!

Karen @ fit in France
March 16, 2016 at 7:50 pm
Reply

I like a 10 K distance. I am more of an endurance runner so it takes time for my body and muscles to warm up. 5K is too short a distance for me.
I LOVE going up hills. I run ALL the hills, ALL the way up, but I hate coming down. I need to work on that for a May race I have….



Coping with Pre-Race Jitters [Coaches’ Corner] – Running on Happy
March 17, 2016 at 6:17 am
Reply

[…] get pre-race jitters every time I race. It used to be so bad that I would stew and dwell for up to a week before go time. I wasn’t […]



Jennifer @ Dashing in Style
March 17, 2016 at 8:41 pm
Reply

Congrats! Way to push through when you felt like quitting!



    rfrutkin
    March 18, 2016 at 8:25 am
    Reply

    Thanks, Jennifer!

My Year in Review: 2016 Edition - Running on Happy
December 28, 2016 at 5:03 am
Reply

[…] I’ve had a pretty great year. I trained an amazing group of ladies in the spring for the Kiss Me I’m Irish 10K, and then another group over the summer for the Rock City 5K. Both groups did an amazing job and […]



Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  • Recent Posts

    • Running 101: Progress not Perfection
    • Running 101: Summer Training — Why Does It Feel So Difficult?
    • Running 101: Base Building (It’s All About that Base)
    • Goals for Cross Country Season
    • Please Allow Me to Introduce Myself
  • Archives

  • Ambassadorships and Affiliations

     photo Orange Mud Ambassador7.png

     photo LHRS_logo.jpg

    pjur active ambassador

     photo SPRING_APP_ICON.jpg


    official meatless monday blogger

  • Running Coach Blogs

  • Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
    To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy



© Copyright 2022 Running on Happy

 

Loading Comments...