Not last!

Race finished....not last....mission accomplished! The 10-miler was more and less than I expected. There were many more participants than I had envisioned. Starting a race with more than a thousand people was something I had never experienced before. It was humid, it was hard, but I did it. I finished in 2 hours, 2 minutes and some change.

I met my goal of keeping my own pace in the beginning of the race and I managed to not get caught up in the excitement of running with others faster than my pace. As it turns out, my beginning pace was the pace (about 12 minute miles) I maintained throughout the remainder of the race. I was not fast by any stretch of the imagination. I had hoped to finish in under 2 hours --but now that's my goal for next year's race.

I expected to have to pull out all my reserves in the last 2 miles of the race but unexpectedly I struggled between miles 1 and 3 as well. In training, I enjoy getting into a groove on longer runs and getting lost in thought, however, this is hard to accomplish when there are so many other people around and bands playing loud music every few miles or so. (I like my own MP3 selections.)

The spectators and volunteers were great! There were more groups than I could count. I saw quite a few familiar faces and for once I was not concerned with what I looked like as I passed by them.(frazzled, exhausted, red-faced and sweating like a pig) One of my coworkers, who is a perpetual cheerleader in life, was on the sidelines encouraging me onward both times that I passed her on Rivermont Avenue. The students in front of Randy Mac were awesome. One group formed a line and high-fived me as I passed by-I needed that at the 6 mile mark!

My favorite encourager by far was my 6 year old son. He stood just inside the barricades, a few yards before the finish line. Before crossing the finish line, I went over and high-fived him....I wanted him to run with me across the finish line but I wasn't sure if that was against the rules.

I had victory in finishing and reaching my goals. (Also, I had victory in the last 1/4 mile as a gentleman, who I surmise was in his 70s, started to pass me and I gathered every bit of strength I had left to "sprint" and keep ahead of him--my husband referred to this man as my "Octogenarian nemesis." My husband blogged about the 10-miler from his point of view. I could not have gotten this far without my husband's support and encouragement--he is truly my greatest cheerleader!

My legs felt like lead for the rest of the Saturday and Sunday. They were sore when I ran a short 3 miles this morning....but the addiction continues.

My goals for next year's 10-miler:
1. Finish in under 2 hours
2. Train for heat and humidity
3. Lose 30 lbs

My goals for the next 6 months:
1. Work on mile times to work towards 9 minute miles
2. Do more speed work
3. Run in some 5Ks to work towards goal #1

No rain delay - running in the rain

When I heard that the remnants of hurricane Hannah would bring us rain, I saw it as an opportunity to try my first run in the rain. Although this was my first "rain run" it was not my first foul weather run. When I was in Boone this past Christmas, I enjoyed a 2 mile run on the Blue Ridge Parkway in the sleet and snow.

I ran the 10 miler course again today with the temperature in the mid 60s and a nice, steady rain. The first 4 miles were not bad at all, although I warmed up more slowly because normally I am warmed up 1 mile into a run and today it took 2 miles. I added only a visor to my regular running attire. I did make sure to wear my smartwool socks, knowing that wool wears better than cotton when wet. (I learned that lesson backpacking in downpours in the back country in Denali Park.) I also applied vaseline to known and predicted friction spots.

Things I learned today:
1) My rain soaked shorts "grew" longer after 5 miles.

2) My inner upper arm is a friction spot --I will remember next time as pain creates change.

3) I prefer running in the rain to any running on days with temps over 70 degrees.

4) Trying to avoid puddles is not worth the extra effort especially after 5 miles.

5) Running in the rain requires less water than hot days but more nutrition. Although I drank 2 liters of fluid (1 propel & 1 water) after finishing, I was jonesing for food after 6 miles.

6) I missed my MP3 player, but it was not as bad as I thought.

7) Running with a partner is a good practice in rain or shine.

8) I ran slower in the rain.

9) It is best not to run until there is at least some daylight.

9) I can do this!