Improving 10k with regular training

[MMS]

Hi TheEd,

I had great race last Saturday night. Run 8K (in fact it was 8,2K) in 34:59. I´m very pleased with the result but a little disappointed because I could´ve gone faster if I had been more ambitious! Why? I had a lot in the tank in the end!

It was 2 laps, and the 4th/8th were longer (1,1k). That´s why the splits have longer times.
I also lost a little of my focus on the 5th and 6th (my bad).

See the splits:

Apr 30th - 8K race
Night Race
Temp:21C

Km|Time|AHR
1|04:10|167
2|04:16|182
3|04:15|181
4|04:45|184 (1,1k)
5|04:25|185
6|04:28|186
7|04:05|187
8|04:35|189 (1,1k)
Tot|34:59|183 (8,2k)

The last time I raced at night was in Nov´09. I know I run better at this hour, but kept holding me back afraid I wouldn´t make it. On a short race like this, it was a mistake leting my pace goes slower (5th and 6th km) while I had energy for a 4:05 on the 7th and 4:10 on the 8th. And if it was a 10k race, I´d be able to hold this pace. Lesson learned!

Tomorrow I´ll start a new cycle. Next race is a 10k morning race on the 22nd.

Cheers!

MMS

Update: Official result is 34:58. 74th among men, 81st of all.