Tufts 10K Race Report

On Monday I had the pleasure of being part of Team Reebok at the Tufts 10K in Boston. 

Team Reebok

And I had the opportunity to meet up with some fellow FitFluential gals. 

Katie, Dani, Robin, Amy and myself

I went into this race with some very loose expectations.  I really just wanted to have a fun run and hopefully finish in about 49 minutes.   I was not looking for a PR at all.  I wasn’t sure what to expect.  I had no idea what the course was like and I do not have a whole lot of experience running in a larger race.  I’ve only done Beach to Beacon twice and it is quite difficult dodging fellow racers and trying to find my pace.  Plus, my main focus right now is MDI. 

Around 11:15 runners were called to start lining up.  So, I kissed Ward and the kids, they wished me luck and I headed off to the 8 minute pace group.  It was crazy just hanging out there for such a long time.  I wanted to warm up, but was afraid that if I left my area, I’d never get back.  So, I just stayed there.  I did do quite a few stretches.  I had plenty of time.  Then I stood there, with the my butterflies NOT flying in formation.  My emotions were all over the place.  It was driving me batty.  One moment I was beyond excited to run, the next I was near tears.  What the heck is wrong with me? 

After what seemed like forever, the announcer started introducing the elite runners.  This part got me a little more excited for the race.  I especially got excited when my running idol, Joan Benoit Samuelson, was announced.  Shortly after that, the announcer had the runners head to the starting line area.  Shortly after that, the race started.  I wanted so badly to see Ward and the kids.  But there were so many people lining the streets, it was absolutely overwhelming.  Plus, starting out in such a large race, it was quite difficult to maneuver myself around all of the runners while trying to find my pace. 

About a 1/3rd of a mile into the race, I spotted a bright red, very familiar jacket to my left.  I wanted to burst into tears I was so excited.  There was my family!!!!  I shouted to them, told them I loved them, then I was off!!! 

This course was flat. The weather was perfect.  My Team Reebok outfit felt incredible. I felt fantastic. It was just an all around excellent race! 

As I was coming to the finish, I spotted Ward and the kids again!  My lucky day.  I wanted so badly to go over and give them high fives, but I didn’t want to take any runners out to get over to them.  I knew I’d see them shortly.   

As I rounded the final corner and with the finish line in sight, I put in a final surge.  I was pushing harder than I had ever pushed before in a 10K.   It felt amazing.  I crossed the finish line with my Garmin reading 46:39. (Official results are 46:30 - I'll go with the official results.)   I wanted to jump up and down in excitement, but 1^st I had to shake Joan’s hand.   I held back all urges to tell her how much I loved her and simply said “thank you, Joan”.  I am such a dork. 

My splits:  7:37, 7:35, 7:25, 7:34, 7:29, 7:12, last 0.2 - 6:54.  

I walked through the chute, gathered up as much food/drinks as I could and headed up to the top of the hill and waited for the family to arrive.  We hung out for a little bit, and then started off on a little walk around Boston, grabbed some food and then got back on the T.  It was a long day, but one incredible day to race and to spend time with my family in Boston. 

I really enjoyed this race and the opportunity to be part of a great team.  Thank you Team Reebok and Fitfluential.  Next year, I'd love to have a group of my friends head down to do this race.   

I did receive an entry to the race and Reebok apparel for a training run as well as for the race compliments of Reebok.  All opinions in this post are 100% my own.