As I mentioned in yesterday’s post, I signed up for a last-minute 6k last weekend. I had run the Port to Fort 6k once before (in 2009) before I was really into “racing”. It’s weird to think back on that race, because my perspective on running was so different. It was only a year later that I really got into training and racing but I still think I was approaching running with the mindset of it being for “exercise” rather than for “fun”. Anyway, that race was my first 6k and then I did another in 2014 (the 6 Dot Dash) which was my PR.
Port to Fort 6k Race Recap
The course this time was different, but it was in a familiar area. In fact, the start line was in the exact same place as last weekend’s 10k, and we started by going up the same hill. However, we turned around right away and ran in the other direction, and rest of the course was relatively flat. The finish line was in the same place as last week as well.
Rob wasn’t running this, but he came down the city to watch me and did his own run down there first. I drove down at 7:15 because I had to get my packet (I had signed up too late to pick it up early). It was raining pretty steadily, and although I was planning to wear a tank top I ended up going with a long-sleeved t-shirt because of the strong breeze and rain. The forecast had initially said that Saturday would be sunny, so I was a little disappointed when it changed to rain at the last minute.
After I got situated I ran a 1 mile warm up. I saw Rob before I started and got lined up and ready to go.
Mile 1:
As soon as I started running I felt like the ground was really slippery from all the rain. Although it wasn’t raining anymore, the roads were really wet and as I ran uphill I felt like I couldn’t get any traction. I really thought I would just need to jog this one if it didn’t get better. Once we turned off the main road I started to feel more comfortable. Certain areas were slick but I felt like I could get up to a faster pace. The second part of this mile was downhill so I was able to make up for some of the time I lost in the beginning: 7:14
Mile 2:
At this point I was tired and wondering how I could continue running this pace for 2.5 more miles. Funny thing is it wasn’t much faster than my 10k last weekend! I felt a little stiff but my breathing was controlled. 7:18
Mile 3:
We ran around Fort McHenry for this part of the race, and another girl and I were neck and neck at this point. I think we were pacing each other, because at times she kept me from slowing down. After the race she told me that I kept her from slowing down. As we ran out of Fort McHenry I pushed ahead of her but started to regret it as there was a little bridge to run over. I think the wind affected me a bit during this mile. It felt like the hardest mile yet it was my slowest. 7:29
Last .73:
I had no idea how I was doing with my overall time because a 6k is such a weird distance. I figured with my overall pace that a PR was possible, so I tried to push as hard as I could. Once again the slippery roads made it difficult to get much traction. I felt like my legs had to work extra hard rather than be able to push off the ground. As I turned into the finishing chute, I saw 27:14 on the clock which was my current PR. My watch read 27:15. I crossed my fingers that my chip time would be a little faster than the clock. Last .72 mile was at a 7:07 pace.
After I finished running I ran for a few minute to cool down. I found Rob and grabbed a banana. We had to get a few things at the grocery store, which was in the same parking lot as the race, so we walked over to do that. I was exited that they had added a Starbucks into the Harris Teeter there! (I guess I hadn’t been inside in almost a year since we moved out of the city). So I rewarded myself with a vanilla latte.
We put the groceries in the car and grabbed a sweatshirt and then headed back to hear the awards.
Port to Fort 6k Race Results
I had no idea if I placed, but figured there may be a chance. I ended up getting 2nd in my age group! At this point I still didn’t know my official time, so that eased the disappointment of possibly having tied my PR. (Not that a tied PR is a bad thing, but I do this ALL the time.)
A few hours later the results were posted and I was excited to see that my chip time was listed at 27:13.5. Phew, that was close! However, I looked back at my previous 6k PR and it was 27:14.6. So I can say I PR’d by one second!
Once again I am happy with how this went but do think I have a faster time in me. I had a bunch of things working against me during this race. These included the wet roads, wind, and not structuring my workouts this week to account for a race. Also, I have not been doing short intervals of speed work.
I do think that the weather was better than most summer races. It may be hard to run faster than this in the hot and humid conditions that will be here soon!
- Do you tend to tie your own PRs, or run within seconds of them?
- Do you have a hard time racing in the rain due to slippery roads?
ugh, races in the rain are tough because like you said, it’s slippery! great job getting second for your age! that’s awesome! and I love how you beat your time by a second – at least you didn’t tie it again lol
Congrats on second in your age group and a PR! Running in the rain is so tricky because pavement gets so slippery – I get so nervous even doing speedwork on rainy days! You definitely have even faster times in you and I’m excited to see how you continue to kick butt at races this year!
I always avoid doing speed work on rainy days so I did not feel at all prepared to run fast on the wet roads. Thank you!
I am really trying to stop cutting these races so close but I guess I am just really consistent! You would think I would get at least a little faster or slower each year.
Good job lady! 6k is a pretty hilarious distance, but I like it. Have you ever seen a 7k? Now that I think about it, I’m not sure if I have… New mission?
Nope, never seen a 7k! I’ll definitely be on the lookout though!
It is uncanny how close you tend to run to your PRs! Congrats on a great race. I have to say I’ve never run a 6k but yes, slippery, wet roads definitely make me slow down.
Thanks! I don’t think most runners have done a 6k, but we have a couple local ones so this is my 3rd time. I have no idea why I keep running times that are so close to my PRs!
Wet roads are the worst. I can’t imagine racing on them. Every time I have to run over a slick, painted area I slow down to a near crawl because I’ve slipped so many times!
Congrats on the 1 second PR! A new PR is a new PR PLUS you got an age group award! All in all a great morning!! 🙂
Thanks! It all worked out really well, despite the wet roads:)
such a good recap–>i love the picture of you in front of the pack of runners. So Cool!
Thanks! I’ll just pretend that I was actually in the front of the race, even though there were dozens of runners ahead of me:)
I hate running when the roads are wet. I always feel really tense and get nervous about slipping and falling. So great job getting a PR in those conditions!!!
Thats exactly how I felt! Thank you!
So funny that you frequently tie your PRs! A PR is a PR though, so congrats on yours as well as placing in your AG! What city is that? It looks cute!
Thank you! It’s Baltimore! (near the inner harbor area)
Everything here is concrete so roads and sidewalks get slippery after storms. My shoes do give me some good traction, but it’s still hard to not think about slipping and focus on running. If it’s not the wet concrete, it’s the mud.
Oh the mud is the worst for slipping! Glad I didn’t have to deal with too much of that on race day!
Congrats on your race and nice to see you Saturday!
Thanks! You too!
Nice job PRing by 1 second! That would make me feel pretty good. I used to race the 6K in college cross country and I hated how random the distance was. I did do the Port to Fort in 2014 and thought it was a great race, although the course was kind of odd going out and back and then to Fort McHenry.
I think the hardest part about the course was that we were running towards the finish line before we even hit the 1 mile mark…and that was the same place as the finish for sole of the city! It made me feel like I should be done but really I was just getting started.
Congratulations! I never ran a 6k until I started working out with November Project and it is a kind of random distance. Since I’m not really doing that anymore, I don’t see another in my future, but you never know.
I don’t think of it as being too much different than a 5k…I just try to run close to the same pace but just hang on a little longer:)
It’s easier to tie PRs when the races are 10k and under, and when you’re a faster runner. So while it’s funny, it’s not totally unheard of. I have never done a 6k race before in my life. I would have no idea how to race it. You did really well! Crappy about the rain and wind though. 🙁
Thats a good point! However, I still tie or come within seconds of my 12 miler and half-marathons:) But at least I feel better about the short distances!
Great work, Lisa!!!!!! I am glad you got your PR, even if it was by a second. Like you said, with the race conditions working against you, you definitely have more in you. I am so afraid of slippy roads!!
Thank you! I was really wishing the roads weren’t so slippery, but I was glad I still managed to squeeze in a PR!
Awesome job Lisa! I’ve come within a few minutes of a PR, but not seconds, so that’s awesome you beat your previous time!
Thanks! Its frustrating to come really close and not beat a PR so I was really glad I cut off that 1 second:)
Congratulations on your finish and receiving 2nd in your age group. Way to go!
Thank you!!
Hate running a race in the rain! Always so paranoid I’m going to slip and fall. I ran a night Disney 1/2 and it rained. Since it was really dark in some sections, I was trying not to fall the whole time!
Oh wow, I couldn’t imagine running a race in the dark, especially when it’s raining! I would definitely fall doing a race like that.
great job on getting PR and placing! Slick roads always make me nervous as well, nobody likes to fall during a run especially during a race. well earned vanilla latte 😉
Thanks! I was so glad I didn’t fall. I hope no one else did! And I definitely enjoyed the latte:)
Congratulations on the strong finish and PR!! 6K sounds like a very awesome distance!
I had to read the part of you getting groceries while waiting for the awards… that is so cool! and time well spent!
Haha yea we were literally in the same parking lot as the grocery store so it made sense! And we only needed a few things, so it didn’t take too long.
Yay to a new PR and being second in your age group! Great race and good thing you didn’t fall.
Thank you!
You definitely nailed this! Funny how if it weren’t raining I bet you would’ve gotten a “real” PR of more than 1 second lol – still amazing!
Way to go on getting 2nd in your age group, girl! It sounds like you did such a great job – even with challenging conditions!
Thanks! I was pretty happy with the outcome even though conditions weren’t ideal.
Congrats on the PR! I think once you get that fast every second is a reason to celebrate!
Thanks! Many of my short distance PRs are by only a second or two so I have learned to take what I can get:)
Congrats on your PR – a PR is a PR, but judging by your recap, I’d agree and say you can probably set a new PR in the future. I’ve never raced a 6k – I think I’d be confused about the weird distance as well!
Thanks! It is a weird distance, but not too different from a 5k:)
Great race, congrats on placing especially in those conditions. That slipperiness could have been really dangerous.
Thank you! You are right, it could have been bad, but luckily it worked out ok!
Congrats! Way to nail that PR! Every second counts, as they say. Yikes for the slippery roads though.