Waitakere 11K race report
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I did the Waitakere 11K race this morning. Official results aren’t out yet but I thought I would get my impressions down while they were really fresh.
I went out to the stadium where is starts and finishes yesterday afternoon to pick up my chip, number and race bag. The race bag itself was rather nice, but the contents were a bit disappointing. There was the ubiquitous water bottle (every event I’ve ever been to has given me a water bottle!), a chocolate bar (which disappeared rather quickly!) and a whole bunch of advertising.
I left home at about 7am to be at the race well in time. I got there about 7:30ish and went to use the facilities. As most runners know, this is a rather important part of any race. Normally there is a huge queue for these but this event was at a stadium and there was no problem getting in.
There were about 1500 contestants entered into either the half marathon or the 11K. There were a large number of walkers - more than I’ve seen at any other event. Fortunately the race director had a separate start area for the walkers which was behind the runners. This didn’t stop a few cheeky buggers starting ahead of me!
The hooter went off at 8am and then it was a huge crush to get to the starting line. It took me a minute or two to get there (walking) and then there was a sort of slow shuffle for the first few hundred metres while we all sorted out where we wanted to be.
The first kilometer went by in a flash. As a matter of fact the first 5 km seemed to go very quickly actually. I think it was because I was continually weaving around in traffic. One of the problems with this event is that the roads are open and we had strict instructions to stay on the footpath. The footpath was only really broad enough for two people to run next to each other so passing was a bit of a problem. I think I used quite a bit of energy nipping around people. I’m pleased to report that I overtook a lot more people than overtook me. 
I suspect I was a bit too conservative with my start. Next time I’m going to wriggle a bit more towards the front at the startline.
Kilometers 5-8 weren’t too bad. The field had stretched out somewhat by then and I kept my pace up by passing a succession of folks. Everytime I passed someone I’d try and then pass the next person and so on. This was quite motivating.
Kilometer 9 was tough. It was basically a long uphill. It wasn’t particularly steep but it was just long. My mind kept saying slow down and walk but I managed to resist this temptation! A few people passed me but not many. Fortunately what goes up must come down and so I managed to pick the pace up again in kilometer 10.
The finish was on the stadium track and I have to admit it was a good feeling running down the track. Heading into the track I was with a group of about 5 people but I think I left them in my dust as I sprinted to the finish. The guys from marathon photo were there so hopefully they got me at the finish sprinting hard out!
Going in to the race I was hoping to break the 1 hour mark. I thought that under 57 minutes would be absolutely brilliant. My actual time was 56 minutes flat! That’s a new (and inaugral) 11K PR. I also broke my 10K PR by about 3 minutes but I won’t count that as it wasn’t a 10K race. So 11 km at a 5:06 min/km pace.
Looking back I think I made a few mistakes in this race. My first one was positioning at the start. I started too far back. I still have this thing in my mind that I’m quite slow so I think it’s more polite to start from near the back. In reality, while I’m not fast, I’ve been training and am not as slow as I think. I spent way too much time in traffic. It’s fun passing people but it took a lot of energy.
My second mistake was not pushing harder in the second half. I don’t think I pushed myself very hard. In the past when I finished my races I was done. I had to go and lie down on the ground and then stagger back to my car afterwards. Today I felt great at the finish. I even jogged back to my car straight after the race . I think my long runs have given me quite a bit of endurance and I didn’t utilise that fully today.
Some good lessons learnt there. Next time I’ll bear those in mind.
Overall a great race and one I’d like to do again.
***UPDATE***
Provisional results are in and my official time is 55:52.
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What an awesome result
Congrats…
Hippygals last blog post..Roll on 3 weeks ay Lynise…. LOL
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That’s a damn good result and something you should be very proud of! Unfortunately for me I failed dismally in the 11 km, considering that I’ve run the Waitakere half and the Auckland marathon (yes, the full) a couple of times before, with pretty good times. I slept in, which meant I didn’t have a proper breakfast, which meant I got there late, which meant I couldn’t use the facilities, which meant 3 km into the race I REALLY NEEDED to use the toilet. So I had to make a 10 min pit stop at Waitakere Hospital……
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AndrewE
reply on October 12th, 2008 7:15 pm:
Oh bugger! I’ve had that happen in training but never in a race.
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Awesome result Andrew!!!
Getting your times in the ballpark of 5min/km’s (with traffic!) is proof that, as you say you’ve been training and getting speedy. Like the graphs - looks like you beat most of the field!
Aarons last blog post..World Wide Half - Race Report
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Well done on the race. All that distance training has paid off. Now for the half!
Bruces last blog post..Running Again and finding my Chi
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Well done… that’s awesome. Mr 82.97%!
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Great job, Andrew.
Sheamuss last blog post..Better Weather, Better Mood
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Well done Andrew! Impressive stats to be proud of!
Cyndis last blog post..TGIF - Show and Tell
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First of all Andrew, what a great race! It sounds like you had fun! (Most important) Yes you are much faster than you think (top 30%, by your stat sheet.)
It is hard to know how fast to run during races sometimes when you are feeling good, especially early on as to not “wear yourself out.” . That happened to me today after my race also. But you set another PR, great job..
Daves last blog post..Worldwide Festival Of Races
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What an awesome 11k you ran! 5:06 pace is definitely not slow, so your plan to move up closer to the starting line next time is wise. Well done!
Vavas last blog post..Owen’s Turkey Trot Debut
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Congrats on the race!!! Way to go!!!
Jasons last blog post..Running Man
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Fantastic, Andrew!! Congrats!!!
You are definitely keeping me inspired! Unfortunately, I have a terrific headcold and have twisted my ankle on a darn cobblestone. Going to rest up today and hit the trail tomorrow.
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AndrewE
reply on October 14th, 2008 5:22 am:
Oh bugger. Take care.
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GREAT RACE!! sorry to echo the masses…but it is impressive
MizFits last blog post..Monday Facetime: The Other Side of the PINK Couch.
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Great…Congrats
Usmans last blog post..Q&A - Vegetarian diet to build muscle quickly
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Congrats on the new PR!
nancys last blog post..Cleveland smells
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Great race Andrew. We are so proud of you! You have done and are doing so well.
Congratulations!
Matt Keelings last blog post..Wow.
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AndrewE
reply on October 14th, 2008 5:22 am:
Thanks Matt.
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Awesome results Andrew! What a great race.
Here’s my question, why do they always put the hills at the very end of the race? =)
You just keep getting faster!
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AndrewE
reply on October 14th, 2008 5:22 am:
It’s because they are bastards. And they love it.
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Really great run, Andrew. You seem to be getting faster by the day. You’re going to blow away the Half Marathon in a few weeks.
Who ever thought of a nice even 11k? Go figure.
Jeffs last blog post..Baltimore Race Report
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Hey way to go!! It’s exciting to keep seeing yourself get better and realize you can push harder!
Amandas last blog post..What time is it?
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That is really Awesome! Good job, and great way to prove that you’re training is working for you.
Keep up the fantastic job! I’m going to have to keep my training up or you are going to start burying my times!
Spartan7s last blog post..3 Days Gone
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