Hair of the Dog 10k Bethany Beach (41:49)
2019 was not my year for running and I wanted to start fresh. I talked about it in my yearly recap but it wasn’t a priority. I ran and had fun but I am minutes away from PRs.
My husband and I had never been to the Delaware Shore (Rehobeth Beach, Dewey Beach, and Bethany Beach), so we decided to check it out. We knew there was a Hair of the Dog 10k at Bethany Beach and thought it would be something fun and different to spend the New Year in Delaware. The Annual Hair of the Dog 5k/10k also have a Polar bear Plunge. The Post Race Party and Post Plunge Party at Mangos is right in downtown Bethany Beach.
One thing I appreciate about the Hair of the Dog 10k is that it started at 8:30 am (the 5k started at 10 am). New Years Day races usually start at odd times ranging anywhere from 10 am to 5 pm. It makes sense, but I appreciated the normal race start.
On race day, we got there around 7:30 am, did signup and packet pickup, then a quick warm-up. It was a beautiful day in Rehobeth: just under 40 degrees, some wind, but sunny. We’ve had a couple of New Years that have been 10 degrees or less so we couldn’t ask for better weather.
We lined up at 8:25 am and by 8:30, we were off. My goal for the Hair of the Dog 10k was not to fly and die. IE: go out too fast and pick up the pieces.
My fitness is not anywhere and I feel like I’m starting over to get back into “PR” fitness. I know the work it takes to get there, and I know it won’t be easy. I thought under 42 would be a reach goal considering I didn’t run under 42 at all in 2019.
When we started moving, I felt good. I found myself in a pack with a few other people. We crossed the first mile at 6:41. I thought, wow, I’m on pace to run under 42 at the Hair of the Dog 10k. Then I laughed because making that goal at mile 1 seemed silly.
During the second mile, a woman passed me. I tried to go with her, but I didn’t have it in me. The second mile had a 180-degree turn and I crossed in 6:47. Here comes the fading, I told myself. Then during mile 3 of the Hair of the Dog 10k, I realized I didn’t feel that bad. We went onto the slippery boardwalk and I became cautious of ice and slick patches. I crossed mile 3 in 6:43. I just wanted to get off the slippery boardwalk.
Thank you Dave Fredman Frederick for the Photo
Maybe slowing down a few seconds helped in the second 5k. As we left the boardwalk, I passed the woman and was in first. The next few miles didn’t feel bad and dare I say: “good”? I crossed mile 4 in 6:39, my fastest mile of the day.
After crossing mile 4 of the Hair of the Dog 10k, I grabbed water and kept going. Mile 5 had another 180-degree turn and I crossed in 6:40. During the final mile, the cyclist began chanting, “go go.” Then as I entered the boardwalk, she fell back and yelled, “go go, you can catch her” at the second place woman. I crossed mile 6 in 6:40 and just powered to the finish.
Even though we were on the boardwalk, I still sprinted to the end. I passed one guy and crossed in 41:49. Later, my watch recorded I went 6:12 pace for the final bit. This is funny because I rarely ever have a “kick.”
Hair of the Dog 10k Thoughts:
I couldn’t have asked for a better start running-wise to 2020. I am looking forward to dedicating time to get back into shape. I know it will be a long way to go before 38 minute 10ks feel “easy,” but I’m also looking forward t the process, something I couldn’t say last year.
Questions for you:
How was your New Years? What is your goal for 2020?
Did you run a race? Was it called “Hair of the Dog” or “Resolution Run”?
Wow great job!! My goals are to drop ten lbs and work on getting some speed back in my runs.
Those 180 degree hairpin turns! There was one in my 5 mile race yesterday, conveniently placed on a patch of snow/ice.
Great start to 2020 for you! Congrats!