Joe Kleinerman 10K

Yesterday was the annual Joe Kleinerman 10K in New York’s Central Park. This race always draws a significant number of entrants as folks try to squeeze in their nine qualifying New York Road Runner races before years end (this is in order to be eligible for guaranteed entry into the marathon). This year was no exception – 4,903 runners crossed the finish line on this brisk December morning.

For me, this race was a PR as I shaved more than a minute from my previous best for the 10K. I’m pleased with the effort but a little disappointed as I was really going for a sub-40. My unofficial watch splits are:

• Mile 1 - 6:44
• Mile 2 - 6:38
• Mile 3 - 6:29
• Mile 4 - 6:32
• Mile 5 - 6:30
• Mile 6 - 6:46
• Mile 0.2 - 1:15

Had the field been a little smaller allowing for a clean start I probably could have knocked 20-30 seconds off my time. But, what happened in mile 6?

I threw myself at Cat Hill repeating my breathless, snotty-nosed mantra of “Head up. Pump arms.”

It worked, I surged up the hill passing a bunch of people but I fell apart at the top. There wasn’t much left in the tank after that. However, I did get an energizing shout out from Uptown Girl… Thanks!

All told my time 40:59 ain’t too bad a way to end my 2006 racing season.

Now, it is time to focus on my move… And reading your brilliant Haiku’s! Don’t forget to submit your entries by Friday!

"When I was a kid my parents moved a lot, but I always found them."
-Rodney Dangerfield