Race Report: ESTRS Lebanon 10k

Storkamp: "Summer is here!"

Well, summer is officially here.

On May 26th, the first installment of the Endless Summer Trail Run Series (ESTRS) was held in Lebanon Hills Regional Park. And I was one of the blessed ones to celebrate summer's arrival with several fast miles on the trails (two loops around Jensen Lake), several slices of pizza, a couple bottles of beer, and several laid back conversations with friends. There may be signs of summer's arrival in Minnesota before the first ESTRS race each year, but something about that first race makes it official. The weather may have a been a bit chilly and rainy, but that didn't stop us from enjoying a long summer evening outside.

My official time for the "10k" was 41:55, with splits in 6:54, 6:50, 6:55, 7:21, 6:59, and 6:39—good for 10th overall. Having just run a 5k the day before pretty close to all-out, my plan was to keep the pace in check. Speed has a way of inviting injury. I let the leaders go off the front and settled into (roughly) my marathon pace. This run reminded me that it's definitely an enjoyable experience to pick up the pace on the trails every now and then, letting the trees fly by in the blur.

Some pictures:

And we're off!

Had fun tailing the guy in the green shirt. Kept a solid, steady pace.

Focus.

Walking on water, probably around mile 6.

The finish!

Post-race summer celebration!