Last week, I ran a 10K for a check on progress toward the Army Ten Miler in October. During the run, I ran out of steam. I did OK—I think, but I was very sluggish at the end. I had started faster—roughly 7:30-ish minute mile and the I tanked.
Contrast this with Saturday’s run. I ran 9 miles, so I started out slower out of fear of losing too much too early.
While my overall Pace was slower—I was picking up speed at the end of a run 3 miles longer than the one I had tanked on just 5 days before. Even running around the parking lot and the end of my run- to get one extra mile, was faster that most of the earlier run.
The lesson for me is clear—the next race I run, I must force myself to start slower and build once I’m comfortable. However, this is easier said than done when you are getting passed by.