The 10k race distance will forever be my most feared Angstgegner of all running challenges. So I was either very brave or especially naive when I spontaneously registered for the #IsarLauf 10k last Sunday, truly believing that I can finally run my long overdue sub-40min. My current 10k PB from July is 40:10, a painful reminder that I still have some work to do. However with all the track sessions and tempo runs, that I did since then, I was convinced, that I can easily undercut those magic 40 minutes, despite running on dirt roads, in blistering heat and out of a full training week. I felt ok at the starting line and went off with a self confident (in other words: 'too fast') 3:47 pace during the first km. I pushed hard but it felt doable. I tried to keep the pace high for another 4km, hoping to be in the right zone which I obviously was. And then I pulled one giant idiot move: I looked at my watch when I came across the 5k sign to check my halfway split. It said '20:11 min' and my sub-40 chances entirely vanished in this very second. A giant train of bullshit thought ran through my head immediately, singing the song of the losers: 'You are 11 seconds behind. You will NEVER run the 2nd half faster than the first. You are at your very limit. You cannot hold this pace. It's over. You don't have to run sub-40 anyway. The sun is so hot, you can't run in the sun. Training was tough this week. You did a lot of mileage. Your legs are empty. You haven't trained for a 10k anyway. You can run a sub-40 sometime else.' ... AND. SO. ON. It was a self fulfilling prophecy. My pace dropped to 4:05 to 4:07 to 4:14, even 4:20 on the third last km. I instantly felt weak and burnt out. In the end I came in with a disappointing 41:23. The conclusion is equally obvious as it is painful: Running is 90% mental. I only fucked up because I didn't trust myself but checked my split instead. Next time I race 10k I won't bring my garmin. Promise. #willpowerrunning #runningfails #doasisaynotasido #HardLopen (hier: Isar bei Bad Tölz)