Virtual Race Report - GWMA

Yesterday's "Global Warming, My Ass!" inaugural virtual race went off without a hitch. The weather was pretty nice for the second week of March — race time temperature was about 44 degrees. It was a little windy but the rain had mostly let up, though there were occasional sprinkles throughout the race. 

The course was supposed to be 6.66 miles, though the Garmin measured it at 6.69 miles. I'm not sure how I did at running the tangents, but 3/100 of a mile isn't too bad. Plus, I know they always measure these things slightly long to be sure the course is certified. 

The route was fairly scenic — it ran along the Mississippi River in an out-and-back course beginning at Kaposia Landing Regional Park and following the Mississippi Rive Trail. The MRT was nice and flat with no camber making this a PR course for sure. It began heading south, which yesterday just happened to be into about a 10 mph wind. No worries though, because I knew I'd be turning around and finishing the course with the wind at my back.

GWMA Course

I knocked off the first mile in 6:30 which was pretty decent considering I was heading into the wind. The next mile clocked in at 6:29 and I realized I was on pace for a PR in the 10K if I kept it up. I calmed down a little and the third mile was an easy 6:34. A half-a-mile later was the turnaround. Luckily there was no one in front of me running really slowly so after turning around I was able to pick up the pace again.

With the wind at my back now I started speeding up. If I could keep my pace I knew I would set a PR for the 10K and after that I could just cruise for another 4/10of a  mile. At four miles I was on pace to average 6:30 and confident I would break my 10K PR of 40:37 (granted I've only run one 10k and it was 2 days after running 20 miles). After going under the Interstate 494 bridge the wind was really at my back and I picked things up even more. I hit the lap button on my Garmin at 6.22 mile s— 39:51, a new 10K PR. Now it was time to dig deep and finish this 6.66 mile race strong. 

With 200m left I got up on my toes and sprinted. No one was going to catch me from behind--not even that lady walking her dog. I came through the finish at 42:26--also a PR for 6.66 miles.

Congratulations to everyone who completed this epic virtual race.