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Home » Fitness » Running » Race Recaps

August 4, 2015 (Updated March 1, 2023)

2015 Beach to Beacon 10k Race Recap

by Anne Mauney, MPH, RD

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On Saturday, at the Beach to Beacon 10k in Maine, I set my first new running PR (personal record) since 2013!!

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I was in Maine for the race as a guest of Cabot, along with my fellow Cabot Fit Team members. (Read more about the trip and my fellow Cabot Fit teammates in my first weekend recap!) I’m so honored to have had the chance to run this iconic race for the second time (I ran it in 2013 as part of the Cabot Fit Team, too). I know just how popular and coveted the mere 6,000 bibs available for Beach to Beacon are, and I’m so grateful to have received one of them! A HUGE thank you to Cabot for having me this weekend and for covering my accommodation and flight expenses, too.

We were up bright and early the morning of the race; the staff at the Higgins Beach Inn, where Cabot put us up again this year, was kind enough to get up early to provide a pre-race breakfast for us. (I had some toast with peanut butter and sliced banana, plus a hard boiled egg.) Here we are on the front steps, fueled up and ready to go!

cabot fit outside higgins beach inn

We arrived at the race starting area with about 90 minutes to spare – better super early than late, right?! We had time to take some pics and hit the porta potties twice. Aren’t our seriously sharp race shirts cute? 🙂

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About 30 minutes before the start of the race, I said goodbye to the other girls and lined up in my corral. Ironically, my race bib number, 740, was also roughly the pace I was looking to keep up, so I lined up in between the 7 and 8 minute mile pace areas.

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After a spring of near PRs, I was DETERMINED to get a PR for this race. My old 10k PR was actually on this course, too, so it was perfect to challenge it on the same terrain. My 2013 Beach to Beacon 10k finish time was 48:54 (a 7:53 minute/mile pace). Considering I ran two 10 milers this spring at basically that pace, I knew I could pick it up a little for a shorter distance, although I remembered that this course was far from flat.

While we waited to start, I sipped on a little Vega Sport Pre-Workout Energizer that I brought from home and chatted with a woman next to me. Let’s do this!!

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At shortly after 8 a.m., we were off!

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From the start, my legs felt pretty good, but man it was HOT. Like, way hotter than I thought it would be, and the sun was relentless. But no matter how hot I was, I was NOT going to give up on getting a PR this year. Since I knew the heat would get to me later, I tried to get a little bit of time in the bank by starting fast, but not so fast that it would crush me later. I was also keeping in mind that my Garmin splits are always a little off for races – it usually tells me that I’m going faster than I really am, because the course ends up being a bit long according to my watch. So I remembered to keep that in mind, too!

  • Mile 1: 7:26
  • Mile 2: 7:41

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There were water stops every mile, which was great considering the heat. I grabbed some water at mile 2 and tried to choke a little down while still running. Normally I don’t bother with water during a 10k (and you know I wear my hydration vest for any races that are longer than 10k) but since it was so hot, I decided to be cautious.

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The heat started to get to me, and so did the hills – I had forgotten just how hilly this course was – but I focused on continuing to push it and not letting my pace slip too much. I also tried to fly down the downhills to make up for the slower uphills. I would NOT give up on this PR, even though my body really wanted to walk/stop/go swimming in a glacier.

  • Mile 3: 7:47
  • Mile 4: 7:45

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My favorite part of the course, which I remembered from 2013, was this spot around mile 4 and a half or 5 where it opens up and you have a beautiful view of the water.

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Stunning!

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By mile 5, I was tired and hot and totally wanted to give up, you guys. I focused instead on my mental game and just hanging on, talking myself into it the whole way. I didn’t skip out on the beer tasting and a glass of wine last night to bail on this PR. I didn’t get up really early so many days this year for track workouts to not make them worth something. I would do this. Just a little over a mile left – that was nothing. Just keep pushing! I’m surprised now, looking at my mile 5 split, that it was quite speedy because that felt like the hardest mile. There was some nice downhill during that mile, so I guess it helped! I also grabbed another cup of water around mile 4 or 5, drank a little, then tossed the rest down my front and back to try to cool myself off.

  • Mile 5: 7:32
    Mile 6 was the hilliest, I remembered from two years ago, so I tried to prepare myself mentally. I felt like I was crawling up the hills but I knew from my watch that overall I was still holding a decent pace. All I had to do was hang on – and build as much time on the downhills as I could. I was still on track to PR but I knew it might be a little close, and I couldn’t afford to get lazy at the last minute!
  • Mile 6: 8:07

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When you hit mile 6, there are tons of spectators – actually, this race has a fair amount of spectators the whole time, especially for a small race – which is awesome. I let their encouragement wash over me and aimed to really pick up the pace for the last quarter mile or so. I was SO CLOSE – I could do anything for a quarter mile, right? Just one more lap around the track!

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Finally – the finish line!!! My Garmin had me doing 6.3 miles and my pace for the final 0.3 miles was 6:45 – whoa! I was flying!

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When I crossed the finish line and saw the time, I was SO pumped. Finally – after 2 years, I had set a new PR!! And man did I earn this one in the heat with those hills. 🙂 (Sidenote: now I really want to do a flat and cold race to see what I can do!)

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My official 10k (6.2 miles) finish time was 48:17, for an average pace of 7:47 minute miles and a 37 second 10k race PR. WOOHOO – I did it!!!!

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My only complaint about this race is that they make you walk about a half mile (uphill) until you get to the water, and I was SO hot and thirsty when I finished this race. Sweet, sweet water – you are amazing. They redeemed themselves by having watermelon in the runner’s food tent, though – greatest thing ever after a run!

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I also snagged a chocolate milk, a yogurt, and a little container of blueberries. Love that they had fresh blueberries!

Then, it was photo time! One of the most amazing things about this race is the finish area in Cape Elizabeth, which features stunning views of the Portland Head Light (the nation’s first commissioned lighthouse!).

cape elizabeth lighthouse

Most amazing race finish photo background scenery ever, right?

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Deanna got herself a shiny new PR, too! 🙂

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We met up with the rest of the crew shortly after. Everyone crushed it! So proud of team #CabotFit. 🙂

cabot fit team finish

We were all so hot after the race that once we got back to the Higgins Beach Inn the choice was clear: do not stop, do not pass go, just dive directly into the ocean, still in running clothes.

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Yep, this was the best idea ever. That water was FREEZING COLD and it felt amazing. Hello, built in ice bath!

swimming in the ocean in maine

Another HUGE thank you to the Cabot team for hosting us this weekend and for the opportunity to run this race. Until next time, Maine! I’ll miss you!

And now, I’m off to update my race recaps and PRs page. 😉 Hizzah!

- anne
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31 comments
  • Sokphal @ Life as a Classroom
    August 4, 2015 · 9:45AM:
    Way to get it girl! Proud of you! :) Jealous of the beautiful scenery. Next time we run in the heat can we jump in the Potomac? So refreshing! I'm pretty sure it's the same thing as what you just experienced. :D
    Reply
    • Anne
      August 4, 2015 · 10:14AM:
      Haha totally. Bacterial infection, here we come!
      Reply
  • Fiona @ Get Fit Fiona
    August 4, 2015 · 10:28AM:
    Congrats on the new PR! It must feel really good to accomplish that. Those yellow flowers are so pretty!
    Reply
  • Kevin August 4, 2015 · 10:59AM:
    Sidenote: now I really want to do a flat and cold race to see what I can do!) OR Sidenote: now I really want to run a race without having to take out my camera and take 25 pictures to see what I can do! Good job.
    Reply
    • Anne
      August 4, 2015 · 11:20AM:
      Haha actually taking pictures doesn't slow me down at all! I just hold my camera in my hand and snap a couple when I feel like I need a boost/distraction - I actually think it helps morale! If I tried to use a phone camera vs. a real point and shoot, though, that would totally slow me down. Point and shoot is easy!
      Reply
  • Ash Diamond
    August 4, 2015 · 11:00AM:
    AWESOME job and so inspiring! I'm racing a 5k on Thursday and know it'll be hot and sticky. You've just inspired me!! Also, this race is going on my bucket list - SO GORGEOUS!
    Reply
    • Anne
      August 4, 2015 · 11:20AM:
      Good luck on Thursday!! :)
      Reply
  • mary @ minutes per mile
    August 4, 2015 · 11:12AM:
    yay! go anne! i love cabot cheese btw. i used to be diehard cracker barrel but now i switched over to cabot. their aged cheddar is to die for. :)
    Reply
    • Anne
      August 4, 2015 · 11:20AM:
      Agreed. And thanks! :)
      Reply
  • Kristen
    August 4, 2015 · 11:22AM:
    Woot! Way to get it, girl! Love the play by play of the race -- I felt like I was right there with you!
    Reply
  • Mary
    August 4, 2015 · 11:29AM:
    AH so exciting!! I love reading race recaps. Congrats!! The picture of you in the flowers is so perfect, and I LOVE jumping in the ocean after a race. The past two LA marathons I've gone straight into the ocean after hahah
    Reply
    • Anne
      August 4, 2015 · 1:26PM:
      Greatest thing ever!
      Reply
  • charlie
    August 4, 2015 · 12:17PM:
    Congrats on a great PR and for pushing through! Great mantras to get me through Chicago in October-especially getting up this morning for a 6.30am track session!
    Reply
  • Jacklyn @ Jack's Balancing Act
    August 4, 2015 · 12:28PM:
    Wow congrats!!! Such a well-deserved PR... not only for the race day strength but for your fitness discipline all the time. And what a breath-taking place :)
    Reply
  • Deanna Segrave-Daly
    August 4, 2015 · 12:29PM:
    Ahh, so fun to read this recap and relive it again (as I sit by a cool breeze in comfortable temps.) My favorite line: "my body really wanted to walk/stop/go swimming in a glacier." Amen sister - dang was it hot. Now every summer race ending will pale in comparison if I can't jump in an ocean afterwards. Congrats again on the PR (and thanks for my shout out) - happy I was there to help celebrate with you!
    Reply
    • Anne
      August 4, 2015 · 1:24PM:
      Happy we could celebrate together! Looking forward to seeing you again at Blog Brulee! :)
      Reply
  • Hillary | Nutrition Nut on the Run
    August 4, 2015 · 12:29PM:
    Congrats on the new PR!
    Reply
  • Erin @ Her Heartland Soul
    August 4, 2015 · 12:44PM:
    Way to go girl!! You did it!!
    Reply
  • Emily @ Sinful Nutrition
    August 4, 2015 · 3:49PM:
    Awesome job! So funny I was actually visiting the lighthouse the day after since I had a friend visiting from the South. Guess it's a good thing I went then instead of Saturday!
    Reply
    • Anne
      August 4, 2015 · 4:19PM:
      Ha, yes! Saturday was a madhouse!
      Reply
  • Roadrunner August 4, 2015 · 4:04PM:
    Awesome, Anne! Very well done -- and on a hot day, too. All those early morning track workouts were worth it! Congrats!
    Reply
  • Sandra Laflamme
    August 4, 2015 · 11:20PM:
    Congrats on your PR and how fun to run for Cabot!!! I love that race! Would love to do it again some year. Gorgeous pics and awesome running!
    Reply
  • Kara {MaineGirl2Runs}
    August 4, 2015 · 11:42PM:
    Hi Anne! Great meeting you at the Chelsea Collective event tonight! Awesome job with tackling those hills and heat at Beach2Beacon! Nice PR!
    Reply
    • Anne
      August 5, 2015 · 10:10AM:
      Great meeting you, too! :)
      Reply
  • Maine Running Photos
    August 5, 2015 · 10:28AM:
    We have shared your blog report @ http://mainerunningphotos.com/cape-elizabeth/beach-to-beacon-10k-4/
    Reply
    • Anne
      August 5, 2015 · 12:40PM:
      Cool! Thank you!
      Reply
  • Rainie
    August 5, 2015 · 10:47AM:
    Congrats on your PR! Great photos too!
    Reply
  • Emily Swanson
    August 8, 2015 · 4:27PM:
    Wow, that's an amazing time! I would love to have a time like that for a 10K! It looks like you did it with an amazing group of runners too.
    Reply
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anne mauney fannetastic food
Hi, I’m Anne! I'm a Washington D.C. based Registered Dietitian, mother, runner, and lover of travel, adventure, and the great outdoors. I've been blogging since 2009, sharing a mix of lifestyle content, recipes, and fitness tips. Come for the recipes – stay for the fun!
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anne mauney

I’m Anne, a Registered Dietitian and mother. I've been blogging since 2009 and love showing others that eating nutritious foods and staying active can actually be fun rather than overwhelming!

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