Elizabethtown Twilight Trot 10K training

I have completed over 26 miles (42km) in training runs since the Run for Reading 5K race I ran on August 8th. I currently have a solid 5K foundation, i.e., my legs can withstand the physical duress of running five kilometers. I completed a training 10K (6.2 miles) run this morning in 55 minutes and 22 seconds. This translates to an 8:54 / mile or 5:32 / km pace. While this pace is by no means a fast one, I believe I am ready for the 10K now. My primary concern for this race is to avoid embarrassment by not being able to run the entire ten kilometers. This should not be an issue now, weather permitting. This race matches my longest race length of the year.

My last 10K race, the Classic 10K in Middletown New York on June 14th, was my worst performance of the year, finishing in 59 minutes and 34 seconds. I have shaved over four minutes off this time per my training run this week. I would love to run the Classic 10K race next year in under 50 minutes.

The Twilight Trot race is scheduled to be run at 6:30 pm on Sunday. It is sponsored by GEARS or the Greater Elizabethtown Area Recreation & community Services. Chances are the temperature will be in the mid 80's. The tolerable or intolerable run determinant will be the humidity level. I get the impression this will be a hilly course. Since E-town is only 15-20 minutes away, the commute will not be an issue. I believe my family will be in attendance for this race.

If you extrapolate from my last 5K performance of 23 minutes and 21 seconds using the McMillanRunning.com website, I should be able to run a 48 minutes 28 second 10K race. This assumes I will only slow down 16 seconds per kilometer for ten kilometers in comparison to my recorded 5K pace. It also assumes I have sufficiently trained for a 10K. I would regard this time as a best case scenario.

Barring excessive temperatures or humidity or a course with excessively hilly terrain, I believe I can break 53 minutes for this 10K race. We'll see the role my increased adrenaline and new racing shoes will play in the outcome of this next race.

Notes: Exactly forty days until I run my first half marathon. My weight has dipped slightly below 190 pounds as I begin to log longer trainer runs. I had mentioned previously I wanted to be down to 184 pounds on half marathon race day. I was at 188 pounds this morning.