Black Moshannon 10K

Yesterday was the 25th annual Black Moshannon 5K and 10K. Last year I ran the 5, this year I took on the 10.

First, I have to give some small props where they are due: I checked the forecast on AccuWeather.com before I left, and they were predicting ran for an hour or so from 10am-11am. It started raining about 15 minutes into the race, which started at 10. But before they get all proud of themselves and use this testimonial in a press release, I should point out that it rained for next 5 hours, rather than ending by 11 as forecast. Oh well, half right is better than none I guess.

Anyway, the main thing I'd heard about this race was a big hill, starting at about 1.5 miles. I'd heard one of the veterans say that the hill goes up and up, then rounds a bend before it levels out. So I ran that first mile and a half pretty easy, and started the long, long climb. I've pretty much got my plodding technique down: I just ate away at that hill bit by bit. Finally at the two-mile mark I went around a bend. I could see the top in front of me, and I decided to attack that last little bit.

Unfortunately, that was one bend too soon. As I reached the top, and turned the corner, I saw that it climbed another 200-300 feet. My inner warrior failed me, and I had to walk for about 20 yards (although I did pass another walker). So here's a lesson for me: scout the course before you craft a strategy to run it.

After I got back to running, I got a second wind almost exactly at the midway point. Suddenly my stride was long and easy, my breathing was in a nice rhythm, and the miles started falling away. Each of the last three miles was 7:30 or less. Despite the cold rain that was falling, I was feeling great.

I'm not sure what my official time was; something like 48:50. I'll post it when I get it. I still haven't decided if I'm doing Boalsburg tomorrow. If I'm up early and I feel like it, I'll do it.