When I set my running goals for 2018, the 10K was a distance I knew I wanted to focus on. This year’s Spa Running Festival was the week after the Breakaway 10K so the timing was perfect. However as life got in the way and I had issues in late August and September with my training, I began to question whether I would run this race. Obviously since I’m writing a post about it you know I ended up running it!

The thing that kept me motivated to race it was the chance to meet Deena Kastor! She was the official race starter and I had just read her book, Let Your Mind Run. This book is a must read for any runner! I could not put it down and read it in less than three days. Her take on mental toughness and shifting her mindset propelled her to running greatness and I am thankful she has chosen to share this with the world. And now I’m thankful I had the opportunity to thank her in person not only for her book, but for the audio version as well.

The Spa City 10K is a tough hilly course that climbs and descends West Mountain in Hot Springs, AR. While my confidence had been boosted by accomplishing my goals at the previous week’s Breakaway 10K, I went into this race with very little expectations. The course doesn’t lend itself well to even splits and another sub 50 minute 10K might not be realistic though I’ve had two sub 50s here in previous years.

Maybe it was because of my relaxed approach to this race, but I came away from feeling as if it were my best race of the year! I stuck to my plan to go out conservative the first two miles which paid off big time. I ran with my friend Carole and Abby, one of the teens from the Searcy Rush team. Abby was completing her final race of her Iron Runner Grand Prix season so we were encouraging her and coaching her along the way. In those early miles even though I felt good, I told them that I was holding back. Miles 1 and 2 were 7:59 and 7:58.

West Mountain Tangents!

The climb up West Mount takes place in miles 3 and 4. It is steep with several switchbacks. Last year the race was a couple of weeks post marathon and Carole and I walked, laughed, and took pictures as we climbed. This year I still wanted to have fun, but my goals was to make the best of my training, not walk at during the climb, and make sure I ran the tangents as best I could. Success! No walking and much tangent running and even smiled for a picture taken by a race photographer. Miles 3 and 4 were 8:55 and 8:23.

The payoff came in the final two miles which were primarily downhill. Downhill running has always been one of my strengths and I’m not afraid to take them on and push the pace. Despite the two mile climb, the conservative start left me with a lot of gas in the tank. I pushed hard and passed several runners. While I was pretty sure I would not break 50 I made it my mission to make up as much ground as possible. Miles 5 and 6 were 7:54 and 7:41. The final 0.2 was a 1:49 (a 7:09 pace) and my final time was a 50:38. And by the way, if you don’t think a slow start makes a difference, my gun time was 50:47!

Finish line in sight!

The biggest surprise came at the awards which I had not check the results. My race was good enough to earn me 3rd place in the Grand Masters division! And to think I almost sat this one out! Not a fast race for me, but by far my most relaxed and well run race of the year topped off with a very strong finish. (Race results can be found here.)

What’s up for 2019? Well as of this writing it’s looking like I’ll be going back to my running roots. The plans so far call for a track meet, a 4 mile race, and a cross country season. What races are on your running agenda for 2019? Leave me a comment below!