The Army 10 Miler on October 4th was fun, even though I ran it with no one to find me at the finish line. I can't believe I pr'd, and by 10 minutes!! I was hoping for anything less than a 1:35, and I came in at 1:31:48. If only I hadn't stopped so long a the water stop at Mile 2...
That was a beautiful morning for a race--at the start it was about 60 degrees and not a cloud in the sky. I had a fun evening the night before with my friend Heidi, shopping for wedding jewelry and then dinner at a Thai restaurant. Pre race I had my normal breakfast and coffee, and ate my clif bar just before walking to the start. I was early (unlike the Rock n' Roll half that started at 7am, not 7:30...ooops), and I hung out in my corral and watched the paratroopers drop out of the plane. Some guy behind me noticed my tattoo and asked which Ironman I had done. He then just wouldn't stop talking! I was glad for the start of the race so I could move away from him and hopefully lose him in the 30,000 people running. He found me at mile 2 while I was trying to down a gu. Ack!
I hit mile 5 and took stock--I was just at 45 minutes, and half way through the race. I realized I could, if I just maintained my pace, come in close to 1:30 so that became my focus. Don't slow down...steady... I didn't walk through any more water stops. At mile 7 I passed this kid, and commented to another woman that we couldn't let an 8 year old kick our ass. The kid piped up that he was 10! At the turn onto the 14th street bridge at mile 8, I took in my last gu, downed some water, and bucked up for the last 2 miles which are the worst! Running on a freeway, with no shade, and tormenting signs saying "Pentagon 1/2 mile" when you feel like you've run an extra 12 miles. I had been hitting my watch at every mile marker and at mile 9 it felt like I had no gas left, but I got it done in 8:50! Bonus! I sprinted in and just knew I nailed that run. Whew!
This weekend was more travel, down to Naples FL for my dear friend Heidi's wedding. Some pictures:
The Bridesmaids
The Bride and Maid of Honor--little ows on wedding morning
The Bride and her attendants
Post Wedding Fun
Live Sand Dollars!
Many congratulations to my friends who finished Kona--I am in awe! I am so so so happy for my friends Fave and IronGreg who got engaged this weekend. I also send lots of love out to dear Julia this week.
4 comments:
Hey! Thanks, indeed good to talk Tuesday and hear your voice:) I had a chatter mile 1-2 of my 10 miler and had to ditch him too, waaaay tooo many questions at 7 am!
Ok girl wrap your head around that PR idea and stick to your plan you CAN DO IT!
Cupcake hugs,
Julia
Great Job on the PR! I also liked your previous post about the vegetables and no one can do it for you.. I feel you on that.. Sometimes it would sure be easier! Too bad it doesn't work that way (and we wouldn't want it to anyway!) Good luck in these last weeks of training! I'm doing the same - we are almost there!!
Awesome PR - much congrats. Your running is looking great and wishing you great conditions for the MCM.
Great pics of your friend's wedding!
Yeah a PR! You are ready and I am excited to see how you do race day. I'll be hanging with some of your friends from Richmond in austin so I am sure we will catch up. Keep your focus on the race and recognize that you are totally ready!!
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