Fortuna Rodeo 10K Race Report

Coming off almost two weeks of altitude in Santa Fe and a running trip in the Trinity Alps, my entire body ached. Everything felt heavy. During the days leading up to the Fortuna Rodeo Run, I seesawed back and forth on my decision to race the 5K or 10K. By race morning, I remained as undecided. I even forgot to circle which distance I wanted on the race form. Mj, manning the registration table, called out to me as I walked away. "10K or 5K?". Well crap, now I had to decide. I hastily mumbled 10K before I could change my mind.

I'm not a fan of 10K races.  For me, it's that place where the tough aspects of long distances and short distances come together. Five kilometers is about pushing yourself into that pain line and holding on for dear life. The marathon (or half) is about willing yourself to simply keep moving, watching the discomfort level rise slowly as your legs leaden with lactic acid. Ten kilometers is all of those things combined. They are HARD.

I have only ever run two, both on the same twisting, root covered, hilly mess of the Patrick's Point course. They were horrible, slow, and altogether miserable. During a warmup mile with Paul and Matt, I convinced myself that this flat, double 5K loop, road course would at least score me an easy PR.

Before I knew it, an officer of the Fortuna police department fired a starting gun and we were off. In order to keep myself in check and let the 5K racers leave me behind, I chatted with Caroline. Our conversational pace felt conservative and light....for the first mile or so. When I found myself suddenly unable to speak in anything but broken sentences, I let her go.

After about two miles, the rusty ache returned to my legs. I could already tell it would be a long race. I had spent most of the last two weeks sleeping on a sleeping pad. A chain reaction of tight and sore muscles in my back was set in motion. I noticed my body tighten, helpless to stop it. As I approached the end of the first 5K loop, I found myself envious of the shorter distance runners that were able to stop and grab their slice of watermelon. Approaching the three mile mark, I convinced myself to finish and run straight past that turnaround point.

This is my friend, Paul. He finished the 5K just a few steps later. That traffic barricade was the 10K TA. You can see the dude in red running away on his second loop. I hate when I can see the short race's finish, I get so jealous of those finishing.

Then Rachele began her second loop and passed by me. "You're looking strong, Karen!!" she said with a smile. Without thinking, I finished the first loop and headed out for my second. Rachele won't let you give up, you can't either.

First 5K split: 23:11, 7:27/mi.

Of course, I spent most of mile 4 hating my decision. Everything about my day felt awful, even the course. Just like my PR course, it was two loops of 5K apiece. Even though this course was faster, it felt worse. That's because there are exactly two turns in the whole course. You can see the turnaround over a mile away. It doesn't seem to get any closer. The mental power required to keep going far exceeded any other race I have run in.

It looks like this.

The one thing that perked me up, was what Mj said to me as she passed, a mile from finishing her 5K. "I hope Matthew doesn't lap me!" she called out while quickly glancing over her shoulder. "You look great, don't let him get you!" I said back. She ended up finishing a minute ahead of Matt. Whew, just made it!

On the final turnaround, I spotted Caroline and Rachele again. All three of us looked rough. At least I wasn't the only one feeling miserable. Nearing the fifth mile, fatigue was replaced with self-pride. I didn't give up!! It took everything I had in me to do the second out-and-back 5K, but I did!

I felt my form further deteriorate with each passing step. Up ahead in the distance, I spotted a couple ladies running their cooldown at a pace I thought I could match. My vision zeroed in on them. You can catch them. Don't think, just run. As I passed them, they cheered for me, shouting out, "Finish strong!" I muttered something about trying to do that and one called out, "relax your shoulders". That little reminder relaxed my body enough to push the tension out of my back and arms and I ran freely to the finish line....and my new PR, who I owe all to Rachele. Lately, she's been there when I need the most encouragement!

Second 5K: 24:01, 7:43/mi.

47:13
7:35/mi.

Matt the fasty-pants wonder runner, won the 10K outright in 36:06.

 

All photos: Y. Kim, SRRC photo credit.