All smiles at mile 1, I wish this photo was not blurry.. As usual the race excitement makes my legs CRUISE, way faster than I should be going. I told myself to slow down, but instead paced the first mile with the big boys. Including a man in a yellow Marathon Maniacs tank top, gold chain and shorts. Did he not know it was POURING RAIN??
The course Map was BAD so Muscle Man opted to stay in the car and read his book. He could have seen me over and over along the course as it was one LONG STRAIGHT BORING course.
This is our "new to us" car. We sold his dram car to get one for half the price. I am not only a decent runner but a GREAT negotiator on the car lot..got this baby
for $2K under blue book!!
The rain continued.. One of the ear buds from my Ipod was cutting in and out, my jacket was swishing, I stepped in a puddle, I was IRRITATED!!! I left my favorite rain coat at home DUH!! For all the annoyances I held a strong pace.
Still on track for my GOAL pace but slowing a little. People were turning to head back for the various race distances. I had planned to Chomp and Gu at regular intervals but with the unexpected water stops I was LOST and totally thrown off of my plan. I took my Gu Roctane was earlier than expected because I wanted to have it with water.
I love to run outside especially with the Fall Leaves. I however do not like to run on LONG flat roads which seem to go forever, and I don't like to run along the side of the road on uneven pavement. LUCKY ME, the entire course is described in my previous sentence. As my pace slowed I was ALONE!! No one in front, no one behind.
At this point the front runners were heading back to the start. I knew I was in front as I had passed all of the women. I might WIN a Half Marathon!! Some walk/run Women were heading toward me?? Ummmm color me confused!! How were these women in front of me? My guess was they started early and were running the Marathon. I cheered them on, one woman had colorful capris and a bright smile, I could tell she was so excited to be running a Marathon. I felt bad for her to have such horrible weather and such a BORING course.
I hit the turn around and slowed to a near stop to drink a cup of Gatorade. UGH the water stops were annoying, I need to get a handheld ASAP!! I turned and ran for a bit then saw my competition, I am HORRIBLE with distances but it seemed that she was about a quarter mile back. Black shirt and pink shorts. I cursed myself for stopping to drink.
My legs felt heavy and I was getting hot. The rain stopped and my swishy coat was driving me crazy...I broke my own rule and wore gear I had never run in before. I decided to focus less on my pace and to just cheer people on. I am not sure if people were annoyed but every runner I passed I said "Good Work!" or "Way to Go" and waved or did the double thumbs up. If I was going to get through this race I was going to do it by focusing on things outside of myself.
- Mile 7- 7:58 Mile 8- 8:16 Mile 9-8:13 pace
This part of the race is a blur. I kept telling myself to "Make it work" and as Lacey told me "Be Fierce." I knew that my Goal time was out of reach, my legs did not want to run 7:33 miles. But I knew I was in first, which was an AMAZING feeling. I was getting thirsty and knew I should Gu, I thought I saw a water stop, AKA Car with little table next to it, so I took half the Gu. It was actually a car that had broken down road side. LUCKY ME I had a mouth full of Gu and nothing to wash it down with... NICE!!
I knew I was getting closer to Swede Hall and only had a 5K left to race. I also knew I was still in front and that I was see Muscle Man at the 10 Mile mark. I took off my coat which had my Gu and Chomps, I held it and planned to pass it off.
There was my hubby. I was TIRED and truly did not want to run another 5K. I had cut short come of my training runs and I could tell that I was not in the shape I wanted to be in for the race. Factor in the Rain, Lack of Fuel, and wardrobe malfunctions and this was not my day.
I smiled as best I could. This picture is what the ENTIRE course looked like. I thought I would like a semi-flat course, but what I would have given for a
little hill to mix things up. As I grabbed my Gatorade from hubby he ran a little and asked if I wanted him to run with me.. It would be nice to have the company so I said yes. He ran to the car and I continued on. This part of the course was not well marked but I am pretty
savvy so I figured it out. The FRONT RUNNER was not happy at all with the course markings and let the Course Director know after the race. He said he had to ask for directions several times..
Ummmm it is an out and back?? Not sure how he could get lost??
I was losing focus. When I run with hubby I go his pace, which is slower than mine. I could feel my legs slowing to his pace. It felt good, but this was not in the plan. I was tired and I know that once I slow I am not good at speeding back up. I said "You are slowing me down!" Yes I am mean!! So he sped up but I could tell he was struggling.
"I am going to die" I yelled! I think if I was alone I would not have lost it, but running with my husband I let my vulnerability in. NOT GOOD! "I need you to keep me going." We ran side by side not talking. I realized that Pink shorts was gaining on me. As we got to the turn I asked "Where is she?" She is 100 yards back. "S---!" My legs sped up. I felt sick, the Gatorade and Gu were not sitting well. Then my sole mate said something that I LOVED "Every step you take is closer to the Finish!" The usual "You are almost there!" Drives me crazy while racing, but his words were just what I needed.
I was giving it all I had. I was so tired and so ready to be done! My plan was to leave every ounce of energy on the Course and I was doing just that. I was running as hard as I could on this day. "Where is she?" "60 yards back." OK I have to speed up. With that I left Muscle Man and sped up. I could tell she was running about 8:15 pace and had been the entire race. She was gaining on me as I slowed. If I could get down to 8:00 pace I would WIN! Winning was what kept me going.
The course 13.37 miles. REALLY?? UGH!! I hit the Half Marathon mark and still had forever to go!! I was in front. My PR pace had passed, but I was going to WIN. I nearly wet my pants (common for me) as I crossed the makeshift Finish Line. 1:47:20, I think?? #1 for the women!! Pink shorts crossed just after me, official result are not up yet. I said "You were on my tail the last 5K." she replied "Great race!" We both were happy to be done.
Here I am in the parking lot Finish area. Note the characters in charge of the race
LOL!! Small town races are great because I can WIN! The overall organization is
seriously lacking. I doubt I will run this race again..
I was wet and needed to change. As I changed I chatted with Andrea?? She was wearing Boston 09 shorts!!
Yep she had run Boston and was telling me all about it. We swapped stories. She had run a
BQ race at Rock 'N' Roll Seattle but is not sure she can afford to go in 2010. I should have asked her what her next race was and when/where she trained. But I didn't! I am hoping I can find a way to re-connect because I would love to train with her.
My Giraffe costume was DRY..which was nice because I ended up wearing it to Trick or Treat with the kiddos.. Thanks again to
Tangle Wit Designs if you want a fun hat go check out the handmade creations!! The awards were not going to be given out until 3:30PM!! We had things to do so I got my Trophy...the Winner got a Trophy, bummer I wanted a Medal.. I am 333% sure I would have won the
costume contest, I handed out a few business cards to people who liked my hat.
I ate some Chili, and a turkey sandwich. On the way home I felt HORRIBLE. Like I was going to pass out or vomit. I had pushed my body to the limit and I had WON!! By the time we were ready to Trick or Treat I was back to my normal Tall Mom self.
Thanks to EVERYONE for the well wishes. I did not PR but I feel amazing. You never know what you can accomplish when you out your heart, and energy into something. OK off to start counting the entries for the Giveaway...
I am pretty sure some of the weight on the scale was water because of female stuff. I had stomach cramping while running that is not from muscles. I REALLY REALLY wanted to drive to Seattle and surprise Amanda at mile 8 and run with her for a while...but when I woke up I could tell I was not feeling well. PNW running Bloggers Amanda, Zoe and Kerrie all did great at the Seattle Half!!
Hubby and I talked about how the tables have turned...when I was first returning to running, after having Little Stud #2, on this path I would be gasping for air, begging to stop and I could not push the stroller and run due to crazy knee pain. Muscle Man made it look easy. Now 30lbs lighter and with mile and miles run I am the one who runs with ease. Poor Muscle Man has been stuck inside leaving little time for running. He had major pain...guessing it is from his OLD SHOES. After our run I went to the Brooks Outlet and bought him a fresh pair.
The Little Studs were awesome snacking on Carrots (Cheetos) and humming Star Wars. At one point the Carrot (Cheetos) bag landed on the ground, so I did a quick turn basketball move and was back in stride. Supermom to the rescue!!
These photos are totally posed...I am working on my next set of Seasonal pictures. Fall picture done!! Have you taken your Fall photo yet? We SPRINTED at the end and hit 2.3 miles. Thankfully the path ends at a flush able potty, we both had to go...
The Tall Mom boys! We played at the park for a while then headed home. I was not done running so I hopped out of the car with about 3 miles to home. I was tired, but I wanted to burn some extra calories. It felt good. At one point a lady, with her hair down, was being pulled by hound dogs...she was faster than me...for about 20 seconds..LOL.
[1].JPG)
.JPG)
Brooks Trance 9's(HERE):
%5B1%5D.JPG)
.JPG)
