The Capital City Classic 10K on May 11th was my fourth race of the year. I had not done the race before but knew some friends that have. It draws a fast elite field because of the prize money and it being the NC USATF 10K Championship. After looking at the past results my goal was to finish within the top 20 and knew that would be a challenge even if I ran a PR. The course looked great and not as hilly as typical races in Raleigh. There was however going to be a tough uphill mile from miles four to five. There would be a slight downhill finish for the final 400m or so on Fayetteville Street Mall to look forward to.
I arrived at the race shortly before 7:30am. Jamie and I parked and I ate a Powerbar before making my way over to the VIP area where I picked up my free pair of balega socks. They are great socks. I have several pairs of the hidden comfort version. I've never had any blistering, slipping, or rubbing issues with their socks. The weather was nice but warmer than what I would have preferred for a race. At least there was a breeze. The temperature was in the low 70s and humid. I met some teammates on the Capital RunWalk team and talked with them before heading out for a warm-up run.
I arrived at the race shortly before 7:30am. Jamie and I parked and I ate a Powerbar before making my way over to the VIP area where I picked up my free pair of balega socks. They are great socks. I have several pairs of the hidden comfort version. I've never had any blistering, slipping, or rubbing issues with their socks. The weather was nice but warmer than what I would have preferred for a race. At least there was a breeze. The temperature was in the low 70s and humid. I met some teammates on the Capital RunWalk team and talked with them before heading out for a warm-up run.
Start I lined up at the starting line for the 8:30am start. I had to tell myself not to go out with the leaders because there would be several runners aiming for low 30 minutes and going out with them would be over my head. The race started and I went out a little too fast but soon backed off and settled in on my goal pace. I ran the first mile around 6:00 min.
I started picking up the pace after the first mile and settled in with a group of several women and another guy. It was great having people around to run with. Running fast is easier with people. I ran miles two and three in 5:51 and 5:52. Those miles were rolling but mostly a slight downhill. My first 5K split was around 18:23, right on pace for a sub 37:00. The first three miles were nice and shady. Mile three to four was also downhill and I ran mile four in 5:55.
The uphill started shortly after passing the four mile marker. I knew it was going to be a long gradual hill and I could lose 20 seconds or more on this mile. The group I was running with started getting dwindled down. It was down to me and the guy, masters winner John Hinton. He started pulling away from me on the uphill. I focused on keeping him close so I could possibly outkick him to the finish. There was only one aid station on the course and it was at mile 4.5. I took the small cup of water from a volunteer, got a couple sips in me, and dumped the rest on my head. The hill was tough and I was beginning to fade. Jamie cheered for me and told me I was in 11th place as I was going up the hill.
I started picking up the pace after the first mile and settled in with a group of several women and another guy. It was great having people around to run with. Running fast is easier with people. I ran miles two and three in 5:51 and 5:52. Those miles were rolling but mostly a slight downhill. My first 5K split was around 18:23, right on pace for a sub 37:00. The first three miles were nice and shady. Mile three to four was also downhill and I ran mile four in 5:55.
The uphill started shortly after passing the four mile marker. I knew it was going to be a long gradual hill and I could lose 20 seconds or more on this mile. The group I was running with started getting dwindled down. It was down to me and the guy, masters winner John Hinton. He started pulling away from me on the uphill. I focused on keeping him close so I could possibly outkick him to the finish. There was only one aid station on the course and it was at mile 4.5. I took the small cup of water from a volunteer, got a couple sips in me, and dumped the rest on my head. The hill was tough and I was beginning to fade. Jamie cheered for me and told me I was in 11th place as I was going up the hill.
Between miles 4 and 5 I was surprised I was in 11th place. I thought there were way more runners ahead of me. I expected to be in the top 20 barely. Jamie telling me I was in 11th made me all the more focused on not letting John get too far ahead so I could finish in the top 10. The sun was out and there was a tailwind going uphill which made the hill seem even harder. I ran mile 5, all uphill, in 6:12. I was glad that hill was over.
There was a slight downhill after mile 5 but not as much as I would have liked. My legs had taken a beating and I wasn't able to pick it up as I had planned after the hill. The first half of mile six was rolling hills with some downhills but the second half was another uphill back to the finish. I wasn't gaining on John but he wasn't getting any farther away from me either.
I made the right turn by the Capitol building and had the finish line in my sights. The final quarter mile of the race was downhill and this was my chance to use my kick. I tried picking it up but my kick was not there. The hill at five had taken it from me. I ran the final 1.2 miles in 7:20 which was 5:56 min/mile pace. I finished 11th Overall and 1st in my age group with a time of 37:15. I was happy with my placing but a little disappointed in my time.
The Capital RunWalk team had a great race. Sandy Roberts led the way with a 2nd place overall finish in 31:12. Austin Balen ran his PR and finished 37th overall and first in his age group. William Unger finished in 53rd place Overall in 47:23.
There was a slight downhill after mile 5 but not as much as I would have liked. My legs had taken a beating and I wasn't able to pick it up as I had planned after the hill. The first half of mile six was rolling hills with some downhills but the second half was another uphill back to the finish. I wasn't gaining on John but he wasn't getting any farther away from me either.
I made the right turn by the Capitol building and had the finish line in my sights. The final quarter mile of the race was downhill and this was my chance to use my kick. I tried picking it up but my kick was not there. The hill at five had taken it from me. I ran the final 1.2 miles in 7:20 which was 5:56 min/mile pace. I finished 11th Overall and 1st in my age group with a time of 37:15. I was happy with my placing but a little disappointed in my time.
The Capital RunWalk team had a great race. Sandy Roberts led the way with a 2nd place overall finish in 31:12. Austin Balen ran his PR and finished 37th overall and first in his age group. William Unger finished in 53rd place Overall in 47:23.
Age Group Winners Since there was nobody passing out water at the end of the finish line, my girlfriend Jamie stepped up and started volunteering. She went and got water bottles and set up a table at the finish line. She passed out a lot of bottles to runners saving them the time of having to hunt for the water.
Overall, I enjoyed the race. It was a great course that went by the campuses of Saint Mary's and Peace College, the beautiful homes of Boyland Heights, the North Carolina Capitol building, and the course had nice views of the Raleigh skyline. My only complaint was the lack of a second aid station. It was warm and humid and a 10K should have a minimum of two aid stations. I would recommend this race to anyone wanting a good competitive 10K.
Overall, I enjoyed the race. It was a great course that went by the campuses of Saint Mary's and Peace College, the beautiful homes of Boyland Heights, the North Carolina Capitol building, and the course had nice views of the Raleigh skyline. My only complaint was the lack of a second aid station. It was warm and humid and a 10K should have a minimum of two aid stations. I would recommend this race to anyone wanting a good competitive 10K.
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