RunGirl 13.1 Relay with Team Bacon
This is the run where I really just had a good time.
I got up at about 5:30, I slept really well last night and I felt great. I had no anxiety about the half a half. I was excited, I dressed, grabbed my stuff, and took off. In the car I had a Pumpkin Pie Clif Bar, some Diet Coke, some water, and I had a banana on the ready. I drove in the dark, cold morning the 45 miles to the race area. This is the first race I have attended alone without the boys and Dave. I was ok, I had great music, and I was generally relaxed about the morning ahead.
I got to the park before Keri and our other friends, just as the sun was coming up and sat in my car. It was FREEZING cold and very windy and I was actually worried I didn’t have on enough clothing. I saw runners everywhere bundled up in long pants (I was wearing shorts), several shirts (I had on only one baselayer coldgear shirt), gloves (none for me, I’ll pull down my sleeves), and jackets.. well.. I didn’t have one of those either. I did have the RunGirl beanie so I wore that and decided the cold would just make me have to run faster to stay warm.
Keri and some of our other friends arrived and we milled around. I ate my banana, we sat in the car again, then lined up for the toilets. The wind was FIERCE. I saw Dawn, we chatted, then we waited for the start. I was shivering and very concerned about my ability to stay warm, but I didn’t panic. I knew my body would warm up when I started to go.
The race started nicely, not too big. I jogged beside Dawn the first .3 miles then said goodbye and tried to find my groove. I settled into a great pattern of running and very very brief walking breaks. I split mile one at 11:55, a little faster than my goal, but I felt great. Mile two I grabbed a gel at the aid station, a cup of water, and kept going. I carried the gel almost the entire race. Mile 2 and 3 were good (11:57 and 11:53), there were some very tiny “hills” that gave me a little speed going down. I milled in the area of a group of women run:walking a 5:1 ratio. I enjoyed chatting with them. Three of them had on Newtons!! I got lots of comments on the socks and everyone was really cool. Mile 4, I dug in (11:55), I was ready to build a little speed, but by mile 5, my back was irritated. I slowed at an aid station in the middle of mile 5, finally ate the gel I had carried, drank, and walked a little. Mile 5 was my slowest pace at 12:16.
I was determined to do 2 things. I would finish my portion under 1:20:00 and I would be running FAST when I reached the relay hand-off. I got my act together mile 6 and split at 11:48. The last .62 miles I ran got me an 11:20 pace. It was exhilarating to run towards the mat knowing I was done! I accomplished both of my goals and I high-fived Keri and watched her bacon socks take off for her half of the half.
I milled around the relay point for Dawn. We chatted a bit, then I saw her go off, I saw Keri come back around the loop - she was doing great! After Keri left, I walked back to the start/finish area to put on my jacket and wait for Keri. I had started my Garmin over to keep track of her time. I expected her under my time.
Keri came in just under 1:24:00. She had a hard run, and told me her knees were very irritated. I am so proud of her for pushing through and she finished smiling! We waited for a few other friends at the finish line then went to eat lunch. I did not get to see Dawn finish.
This race was really good for me. First of all, it was a good run. My pace was spot on, my body was prepared, and the race was very fun. It gave me a lot of confidence after a few weeks of spotty running, sickness, and very difficult long runs. The race was very well managed and I felt very supported along the course (they had FREE Hammer Gels!!!). I got a medal for the race, even though I did not complete the full distance. It’s very cool and I will enjoy knowing it is a result of such an awesome effort by myself and my dear friend.
My body feels good and I’m resting. I do have a tiny bit of stiffness on my right hamstring. But I walked away from this race feeling fresh. Tomorrow I will run again.
All in all, a very good day!
