An extremely satisfying day..........................
Had a great time at the race yesterday, but first let me share with you what I did in the morning before heading out to the race.
In preparation for the trail race in June I decided I would make use of day and add in a morning run. I decided to do my 5.5 route and then add a little to make it 6.5.
I had a bit of trouble getting out the door, forgetting this, that and the other thing. And for whatever reason I can never get the stupid water bladder in the pouch the right way so the hose kinks. I was having (my) Mister help me fix it so I didn't have to take the whole pack off, and was pretty crabby it was taking so long and I was behind schedule. Not the best way to start a run, but I am being honest at least.
Finally out the door, I headed down the street around the corner and was given a very undeserved reward. A guy that I ran into several weeks ago (that was the perfect pacer for me) was heading my way and turned around and joined me for my run. How blessed am I. Had not all the hassles happen I would have passed his starting point before he began and missed out on being able to run with him.
We were running a really good pace, both winded but still able to carry on a conversation. He gave me some good tips for training and racing, but the best news is he agreed to be my coach and help me with my speed workouts. Isn't that terrific? I am thrilled because I can't make myself go faster but I go faster when someone else is around.
He is used to only going 3 to 4 miles (bad knees) and so I left him at the 4.5 mark and kept going. I am not going to swear to the final distance I did but it is somewhere between 6 and 6.5 and I did it in 59.30. That is the fastest I have ever done that distance, and I know it is totally because I was keeping up with someone.
When I got home I drank some muscle milk to put some carbs and protein in my system, did a little gardening, and got dinner in the crock pot, and lunch on the table before heading downtown for the race.
A record turnout of close to 6,000 people were there and it was a wonderful party atmosphere. I looked like a total loser as I put everything I thought I might need on the trail in my pack and strapped it on. A stinking little 5K and I looked like I could be lost for days before running low on supplies. Who cares, people have made fun of me for far more stupid reasons. If practicing carrying an extra 3 to 5 pounds makes me faster on the trails then it is worth it.
I was pretty warm by the end of mile one, but felt great and kept going. By mile two, my spoiled inner child kept telling me that we should slow down, what was the big deal there were still thousands of people behind us. The coolest part of the race was right at the end when I picked off a woman to pass and I DID IT! Never mind that the first two minutes after crossing the finish line were devoted to NOT giving in to the urge to puke all over my shoes, it was so worth passing her I would do it again in a minute. My final time was 32.32 and I am extremely happy with that time, and already looking forward to my next race.
Had a great time at the race yesterday, but first let me share with you what I did in the morning before heading out to the race.
In preparation for the trail race in June I decided I would make use of day and add in a morning run. I decided to do my 5.5 route and then add a little to make it 6.5.
I had a bit of trouble getting out the door, forgetting this, that and the other thing. And for whatever reason I can never get the stupid water bladder in the pouch the right way so the hose kinks. I was having (my) Mister help me fix it so I didn't have to take the whole pack off, and was pretty crabby it was taking so long and I was behind schedule. Not the best way to start a run, but I am being honest at least.
Finally out the door, I headed down the street around the corner and was given a very undeserved reward. A guy that I ran into several weeks ago (that was the perfect pacer for me) was heading my way and turned around and joined me for my run. How blessed am I. Had not all the hassles happen I would have passed his starting point before he began and missed out on being able to run with him.
We were running a really good pace, both winded but still able to carry on a conversation. He gave me some good tips for training and racing, but the best news is he agreed to be my coach and help me with my speed workouts. Isn't that terrific? I am thrilled because I can't make myself go faster but I go faster when someone else is around.
He is used to only going 3 to 4 miles (bad knees) and so I left him at the 4.5 mark and kept going. I am not going to swear to the final distance I did but it is somewhere between 6 and 6.5 and I did it in 59.30. That is the fastest I have ever done that distance, and I know it is totally because I was keeping up with someone.
When I got home I drank some muscle milk to put some carbs and protein in my system, did a little gardening, and got dinner in the crock pot, and lunch on the table before heading downtown for the race.
A record turnout of close to 6,000 people were there and it was a wonderful party atmosphere. I looked like a total loser as I put everything I thought I might need on the trail in my pack and strapped it on. A stinking little 5K and I looked like I could be lost for days before running low on supplies. Who cares, people have made fun of me for far more stupid reasons. If practicing carrying an extra 3 to 5 pounds makes me faster on the trails then it is worth it.
I was pretty warm by the end of mile one, but felt great and kept going. By mile two, my spoiled inner child kept telling me that we should slow down, what was the big deal there were still thousands of people behind us. The coolest part of the race was right at the end when I picked off a woman to pass and I DID IT! Never mind that the first two minutes after crossing the finish line were devoted to NOT giving in to the urge to puke all over my shoes, it was so worth passing her I would do it again in a minute. My final time was 32.32 and I am extremely happy with that time, and already looking forward to my next race.
After finishing the race, posing with my friend who is a real survivor, eight years now and growing stong.
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