Race Report - 2012 TC 10 Mile

The TC 10 Mile absolutely lives up to its reputation.  Before I ran this race I read several reviews by people who had run the race in previous years.  Every reviewer commented on how well run the race was, how beautiful the course was and how awesome the crowd support was.  I wish that I has a fresh word for you but I'm basically just going to echo those thoughts throughout the rest of this post. 

On Sunday, October 7th I ran the 2012 TC 10 Mile race. This race is part of "Marathon Weekend" in the Twin Cities and while the marathon and marathon runners obviously get top billing the 10 Mile race and runners definitely get some time in the spotlight. The race course starts near the Metrodome and heads over to the Franklin Avenue Bridge where it follows the last 7 miles of the marathon course. The course is nothing short of breathtaking and the crowd support is unparalleled for a Minnesota race. Throw in cool temps and a little sunshine and you have the makings of a great race.

The race started just after 7:00 AM. Chris and I took the light rail to the Metrodome and found our way to the sweat drop and starting corrals.  Chris came to keep me company and watch me start the race (he's pretty much the best husband in the world) and then rode the train back to the car and headed to St. Paul to meet up with my parents and watch me cross the finish line.  Did I mention it was about 30 degrees at this point?  Gotta love Fall running in Minnesota.

It was still quite dark as I crossed the starting line but that just meant I got to watch the sun rise as I ran through the streets of Minneapolis - not a bad way to start your morning. Shortly after the start we hit a big downhill that leveled out before returning as a big uphill around mile 3. The terrain evened out as we crossed the bridge and made our way down East River Road. Before I knew it we were turning onto Summit Avenue. I was particularly excited for this part of the course for several reasons.

• While there is crowd support along most of the course, the crowd is noticeably larger all the way down Summit Avenue to the finish.  
• I've never run down Summit Avenue before - I'm pretty sure this qualifies as a sin for a Minnesota runner but it's the cold, hard truth.  
• Summit Avenue is home to the dreaded hill - a long, slow climb that is infamous in running circles for the excruciating pain it causes in the last crucial miles of the race. 

I'll be honest, I didn't really realize we were going uphill.  I'm sure if I had been on mile 21 instead of mile 5 it would have been different but I kept waiting for the hill to start and then I started hearing people in the crowd yelling "You made it up the hill - way to go!". Really? Don't get me wrong - I'll take it - I am not fond of hills - I prefer flat terrain or a a slight down hill to any kind of incline but I was a bit disappointed by this notorious hill that didn't even register on my internal altimeter.

Back to the race - it seems mile 6 is turning into a bit of a curse for me.  You may remember that my ipod died on me at mile 6 of the WRTC race.  Well, my shoelace came untied at mile 6 of this race.  It had been loose since about mile 3 and I kept hoping it would just hang in there.  But 3 miles later it was completely untied and with 4 miles left in the race I had no option but to stop and tie my shoe.  Bah!  Anyway, after the "big hill" the course is basically flat until you hit the last mile which is basically ALL DOWN HILL! This is race course design at its best. As you near the finish line the crowd thickens and you begin to hear the announcer reading off the names of those crossing before you. You're legs are tired and your breathing is labored but you are going fast and finishing strong. The sun is shining bright, the state capital looms in the distance and you know there are people who woke up early, bundled up and are now waiting, watching just for you to cross that line. It's awesome - almost surreal really, a bit out-of-body. It makes me tear up just thinking about it. This is where you smile - BIG - with your entire being.

I finished the race in 1:32:03 - a full 1:40 FASTER than two weeks earlier at the WRTC race despite the fact that I ran an extra .14 miles and had to stop to tie my shoe!

1 - 9:29 (nice, easy, crowded start)
2 - 9:22 (still pretty crowded)
3 - 9:31 (big hill)
4 - 8:53 (crossed the river - feeling good!)
5 - 9:02 (Half way mark, approaching the notorious hill)
6 - 9:21(stopped to tie my shoe - bah!)
7 - 9:03 (wait, where was the hill?)
8 - 8:51 (legs are feeling good)
9 - 8:49 (almost there)
10 - 8:42 (fast downhill finish - BIG smile)
.14 - 1:06 (this is what we call not running the tangents very well - though not horribly either)

If you ever have the opportunity to run the TC 10 Mile you really should take it.  It's an awesome race - all of the amenities of the marathon with less than half the miles!  It's definitely the best race I have every participated in and one I hope to run many times in the future.

 

Special thanks to my number one fan - my sweet husband - who once again sacrificed sleep, endured the chilly temps and was there to encourage me before and after the race and to my mom and dad who drove down from the country to watch me cross the finish line.  I'm very blessed to call them all mine.