Last Thursday, I ran my last collegiate race: the 10,000 meters, or the 10k. 6.2 miles as a race. 25 laps in the oval office. It is the most exhilarating race I can imagine running. These are the stages of working up to a 10k.
1. Hearing about it as a freshman.
What? Someone runs 25 laps as a race and for their own personal satisfaction? No thanks, I’ll stick to 800s.
2. Your coach recognizes you’re better suited for distance.
This came my sophomore year with a new coach. He told me that my build and mindset was better suited to longer distances.
3. Being convinced to run a 10k.
Sophomore year I set out to race 6.2 miles on the track. I did not know what I was getting myself into at that point and I was not dedicated enough to the sport to fare well in that long of a distance. I was far off the qualifying time for the championship meet and I was discouraged.
4. Putting the training in.
Fast forward to my junior year; I was happier, more dedicated, which resulted in faster times. I did the mileage I needed to run and, most importantly, put in the work for long runs.
5. Chasing down a faster time.
Junior year I set my sights on the 10k once again. I knew the splits I had to run, I knew where I should be in the race and I did it. I qualified for the conference championship meet. It was the most satisfying feeling to have the chance to race there.
6. Running a PR (personal record) in the 10k.
During my junior year, the championship meet did not go as planned. But fast forward to last Thursday, the same meet my senior year. This time, I was ready. I was confident. I knew where I could place in the race. It was not a good place objectively, but I knew I could run faster than I have run in the past. Almost every race was a PR and I knew I put in the training I needed to over the years (because running is a progressive sport).
With the gun, 15 other women and I set off. I knew I had to have a quick start to give myself confidence. I went through the first mile at 6.30, that’s a little too quick for me. I settled into a spot and told myself to be patient. My friends and family hurling encouragement at me kept pushing me and kept me focused.
I went through the first 5k 4 seconds faster than the last 5k race I ran (it was a poor race). That worried me, that I might drop off too much and slow down. But then I heard one of my teammates, and dear friends say, “think of all the miles on your legs” and that kept me motivated. A woman I raced against in the past and I were going back and forth, ahead and behind each other, and it pushed me harder.
Seeing eight laps to go got me excited the race really started rolling by and before I knew it I was on the bell lap with ‘leave it all on the track’ echoing in my head. I set out to run a final lap with a split almost as fast as my first lap. As I neared the finish, I crossed it with a smile, seeing I broke my PR by 16 seconds and having feelings of satisfaction, accomplishment, and amazement. I had just ran my last collegiate race and I’m glad I ended it on the right foot.
