Joe Kleinerman 10K race recap

Posted December 6th 2010 at 4:59 pm by RunnersKitchen

On Sunday, I ran the Joe Kleinerman 10k in Central Park. CP is where I do 80% of my training runs, so it always surprises me a bit when people describe it as “hilly”. After Sunday’s 10k, I don’t think I’ll be surprised anymore! The 10k course was one big counter clockwise loop of the park and every hill left me crankier than the last. In fact, I was pretty cranky for this whole race. I’m not sure if it was the early start time (8am), cold weather (30 degrees and windy), or general racing burn-out, but I felt sufficiently “meh” the whole time. I’ve come to expect the first mile or so of my races to pass in an adrenaline fueled rush, but for some reason this 10k felt tough from the start. The paces felt much harder than they should have – and at the end I was left thinking “this felt so tough, how am I EVER going to run 6:30 pace?”. (One of my 2011 goals is to run a sub-40:30 10k a.k.a. 6:30 pace).

Apologies for the whine-fest…there were some positives – I PR’d by 7 seconds (woo!) and I’m healthy. It’s only been a month since the marathon, so I’m not quite sure why I’m being so hard on myself. I’m not sure exactly what I was expecting from this race, but whatever it was, I can’t help but feel like I fell short. And now 24 hours later, I can’t figure out what would make me feel better. Part of me wants another shot at racing this 10k - to bang out a really fast PR. Another part of me knows I had nothin’ left deep down and I need some more time to mentally and physically re-charge. Anyway, here are the race deets -

6:45 <— Mile 1
6:57 <— Mile 2
6:45 <— Mile 3
6:53 <— Mile 4
7:04 <— Mile 5
6:35 <— Mile 6
1:29 <— Last .2

Finish time: 42:28 (6:50 pace)

There’s nothing like some fresh-baked brownie to make you feel less cranky : )

Dark chocolate brownies with Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups

Ingredients:

  • 4 oz bittersweet chocolate
  • 2 oz semisweet chocolate
  • 1 stick of butter
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup of sugar
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 Reese’s PB cup trees, chopped into small pieces

Directions:

  • Preheat oven to 350 F and butter an 8″ x 8″ baking pan.
  • In a small bowl, microwave the chocolate and butter on medium heat until melted (I heated for 45 seconds at a time, stirring in between intervals).
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs and sugar until creamy.
  • Slowly add the melted chocolate/butter mixture to the eggs and sugar.
  • Combine the salt and flour in a measuring cup and stir this into the chocolate-butter-egg-mixture. Do not overmix!
  • Add the Reese’s cups and pour batter into the baking pan.
  • Bake for 20 minutes, cover with foil, and bake for another 8-10 minutes.
  • Cool completely and then cut into 16 squares.

Note: these were super-fudgey and chocolate-y. Yum! However, next time I might try adding a 3rd egg. The brownies were a tad on the crumbly side and I think an extra egg might bind them together.

Am I being crazy? Does anyone else feel conflicted after races?

Posted in baking, race recaps, recipes, running
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  • http://www.twitter.com/rlk_117 Robin

    Yummm those look tasty!
    I feel conflicted. I ran the 10k also, though I have had a cold since last Wednesday and considered myself forced to run because it was #8 of my 9+1. That was my first 10k and when i registered for it a couple months ago, I was going for under 45:00 and thought I was capable. I ended up feeling crappy and running 47:07. Although at times I felt so slow and awful that I thought I was running ~9min pace, I still managed to win my age group and run a not terrible time. Hence, conflict.

    Awesome job! I envy your sub 7-minute pace =)

  • http://thewholeplate.com leslie

    and i think burnout is bound to occur at one point or another when something is such a big part of your life – it’s disappointing when it happens the day of a race versus a random tuesday evening, but at least you went and gave it everything you could at the time. in the scheme of things, it’s better to feel it when we’re just entering the season of blustery cold winds and snowstorms, than say, in october when the weather is perfect for running, right?

    and anyway, you still pr-ed and i still think you’re awesome. :)

    see you tomorrow lady!

  • Kristan

    I feel conflicted after every race! It is terrible but I more often look towards the things I can do better instead of the positives of the race. 10K’s are tough! You were mentally and physically able to get through a tough race and that is quite the accomplishment. Plus they always say you can’t complain about a PR (even though I have been known to).

  • http://stellashopper.com Nicole

    omg I want one of those brownies!!!!

    What happens if you overmix?

  • http://sweatykid.wordpress.com Cathleen

    Are you crazy? Not at all.

    I’d say I’m only genuinely thrilled and pumped about my performance after about 20% of my races. The other 4/5 of the time, I might feel pleased or disappointed based on how things went, but I will almost certainly feel, as you said, “conflicted.”

    That’s what keeps us racing at this point in our lives, isn’t it? The idea that we have so much more potential than we know, and that each race is another experiment to try and reach that potential.

    Congratulations on a PR — one-month post marathon on what sounds like a wickedly hilly course. That’s outstanding and hopefully in there with the “conflicted” feelings you are proud. A step in the right direction toward 40:30!

  • http://lindslovesmiles.blogspot.com/ Lindsay

    Wow–you ran so well!! It sounds like you gave it everything you had. You should be proud :)

  • http://caffeinatedrunner.blogspot.com Emilia

    Yay for the PR! I’m definitely over the crazy-early start times…but more so because of the #MTAFAIL that the subways are on the weekends. I waited foreverrrr for two trains and got there late, gahhh. Rushing always makes for a stressful start. But I had an almost-4 minute PR from last year! 52:54…I’m planning to do two or three NYRR 10Ks in 2011 and hoping I can finish one in sub-50:00.

    Congrats! Brownies look delish. :)

  • http://www.earlymorningrun.blogspot.com lisa @ early morning run

    Holy crap, those brownies look incredible! Peanut Butter trees are the one time I’ll get peanut butter cups. So good! I bet these are delicious.

    Sorry about the crummy race on Sunday. It was super cold and 8am is really early for a winter race. Don’t they usually start them later in the winter? Weird. Congrats on running it though! I skipped this one.

  • http://theblueeyedrunner.blogspot.com Keri

    Nice job on the race. I was also surprised about the course being described as hilly…

  • http://greensandjeans.wordpress.com Madeline – Greens and Jeans

    I am always conflicted when I feel like things don’t go as well as I had hoped, even if I end up with a great time. I’m always thinking about the “what ifs,” even if they are things that can’t be changed, like the weather… Also, I may totally show up on your doorstep begging for one of those brownies.

  • http://crunchygranolagal.wordpress.com sofia

    we all set extremely high standards for ourselves, expecting our bodies to do what is sometimes impossible. you said it yourself: you just ran a marathon! your body will be rarin’ to go in a bit, it just needs some time to rest. you’ll be hitting those 6:30 miles in no time, i’m sure. be proud of your race, girl! i’ll see you very soon!

  • Jacqui

    Here’s what I think, and I’ve mentioned it already once so you better be prepared to discuss it next time I see you! I think we should look for an out of state (or even just out-of-borough) FLAT 10K to complete sometime in January or, more likely, February. Personally I think we can both run sub 41 on a flat course, which is a much closer step to 40:30 than trying to break out asses in central park. !

  • http://angryrunner.wordpress.com AR

    This sounds…normal. It’s hard to get psyched about non “A” races, but its also hard not to feel frustrated and meh. Especially when you get a PR that isn’t what you know you’re capable of. Taking the win and NOT thinking about long term goals is something I’ve never quite grasped.

    Also, NOW I AM HUNGRY! mmm

  • http://nycbklyngirl.wordpress.com Bridges Runner

    Yummmmmm:) Those brownies would be dangerous in my kitchen!

    As for the race, tough to get pumped up after the year you’ve had. Completely normal to feel a little burnt out. That said: a PR is a PR. Enjoy the bit of rest and bring on 2011!

  • http://frontyardfoodie.com Diana @ frontyardfoodie

    Sorry your race wasn’t spectacular! I haven’t ran enough races to get burnt out but I’m sure that day will come!

    I want your brownies!

  • http://cheaperthantherapy.me marie

    UMMMMM. Reese’s brownies? Why didn’t I think of that?!

    I would kill to run a 6:30 mile. Hell, I’d trip the girl in front of me just to break 8 minutes. So, nice run, nice PR. They don’t always feel great but you still got the job done.

  • http://washingtonranhere.wordpress.com sarah

    Um, so having talked to me for more than five minutes, you will know that I am always – always, friend – conflicted after racing. If racing were my partner, we’d be in couples therapy. Constantly. So, yes, I know where you’re coming from. And it sucks to have to tell yourself that the best way to fix this is to take some time off, get a little out of shape, and then get in better shape, but that’s the answer.

    Fortunately, this gives you time to do funner things. My vacay starts Thursday. Date?

  • http://runnersfuel.blogspot.com Michele

    Those brownies look really good! I think I’ll need to make those soon!

  • http://braisetheroof.com Megan (Braise The Roof)

    I feel you on the burnout. I haven’t run in a month because I was feeling it. I switched to Insanity so that I’d have my cardio fix without feeling pressure to get mileage in. Then again, I’m a much less intense runner than you. :)

  • Jordan

    those look tasty. don’t underplay the terrible conditions – I also PRed but had expected to do better (and not to be running in 25 degree wind chill)

  • http://nyflygirl.wordpress.com nyflygirl

    “Does anyone else feel conflicted after races?”
    Is the sky blue? :)

    I felt the same way after running that 5K 3 weeks after Chicago…yeah, I didn’t know what to expect but afterwards I couldn’t help but think that I coulda shoulda done better.

    That said, I think you ran a great race-a PR is still a PR :) And as for the hilliness of Central Park…if you don’t train there regularly, the terrain can be a rude awakening. I ran more on the West Side Hwy than I did in the park for the last month or so…and it showed on Sunday :)

    If you guys (or gals) are looking for a flat 10K-consider the Newport 10K in Jersey City-but it is not until mid-May.

  • http://www.firednfabulous.com/ Ellen@FirednFabulous

    It’s amazing how you can feel “Meh” and still get a PR! That’s something to be proud of :) And those brownies look so YUMMY!!!

  • http://kanoshiro.blogspot.com Morrissey

    safe to say you are just bouncing from the turkey race and nyc marathon; and you PRed. Great way to cap the year.

    Post race conflicts? All the time, just think about it for 10 minutes, have a beer and move onto the next race/run :)

  • http://therawproject.com Christine (The Raw Project)

    Great race recap, I would run more races if they all didn’t require me to get up so early on weekends. I felt that way about my CIM relay leg, it had considerably more hills than I thought.

    These brownies look insanely good.

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  • http://www.thehealthyeverythingtarian.com Holly

    reese’s PB trees in brownies = genius.

  • http://www.50by25.com Laura

    Congrats on the PR!

    As far as feeling conflicted goes, my strategy is to do lots of races. You never know how you’re going to wake up feeling, and some days, you just don’t have it in you to do your best. I prefer to have several options as far as which race I’m going to really push it and reach for my goals, so that I don’t end up pushing it when I really shouldn’t. Does that make sense?