This was a pretty good race for me and I am going to try to keep it short and sweet-not likely, but a girl can try.
First of all, I am still struggling with fitting my runs and life together. It feels like a puzzle with a few pieces missing and I can barely make the border much less put the whole picture together. Having said that-it has been two weeks since my last run and a full week off with NO workouts at all.
Let's start at last night-I didn't even start prepping for the race until 900pm after the kids went to bed-not my norm. I threw a few things in a bag, got out some running clothes and thought "good enough". I did decide to make a last minute playlist. It was pretty good actually but it kept me up until after 1030 and funny enough I didn't plan enough songs! No big because I got sick of music by mile 7 and ended the race "naked". It did however keep my pace fairly reasonable at the start of the race so that was cool.
I liked that they had a gear check-I hate standing around cold so I keep my stuff until the very last second. This was also my first corral start like this. It wasn't pace based but rather when you got your bib number. We were then sent off in 2min. wave intervals. Nice spacing and no one was running over one another. Again a plus.
I started off maybe a hair too fast-but not nearly as bat out of hell as I tend to go. This is even more amazing as it was a downhill start. I kept it under control and felt super good for the first 4mi.
At mile 4 it got really bad. By that time we had been climbing a hill for quite some time but at this point it got really steep and I could see there was no end in sight. In fact we climbed for over two miles!! My calves were screaming! I slowed the pace and kept running, but somewhere near the top I had to walk about 50 yards. I felt good about it though as I knew there was no way my legs were going to hold up if I didn't give somewhere.
This was the first time the race came to Seattle and I have to say it was managed well. Plenty of water and gatorade-about every 2-2.5mi. Not much for spectators, but seeing as though we were running along the Aurora Hwy which normally doesn't have much foot traffic it was kind of to be suspected.
For some reason I thought with all the climbing we would end on a downhill. Nope. The climbs continued. Right about mile 8.5 another lady who had been going back and forth with me stopped in front of me. I said "Don't stop-we're almost there!!" She started back up and we chatted (very briefly-we were both dying) about not expecting all the hills.
With about 300 yards to go, I pulled away from her. I really wanted to sprint to the finish and truly try to "empty my tank". I can tell you folks, I ended that race with a totally empty tank. I was "that girl" gasping with every footstep from my toes to the top of my head. I truly sounded like I was going to die. Grunting-gasping-the whole thing. Good Lord how embarrassing! I will say it felt great though.
Even though this wasn't my fastest race, I truly left it all out on the course for the first time ever.
Post race I was walking to get my Hot Chocolate and noticed a cute little Filipino girl who looked really familiar. After a beat I realized it was Catherine who is a contestant on the Bachelor this season. I kind of laughed to myself as I frequently watch said program while running on my treadmill. As it so happened, she got in line in front of me to get her treats. So of course I tapped her on the shoulder and asked "are you Catherine?" she gave me a shy smile and said yes. I told her "I have to thank you because I watch you every week while I run on my treadmill" She giggled and said thanks and then said she wished she had something to motivate her on the mill. Then she complimented me on my race shirt choice (my favorite too).
After finding my car and driving back home, my hubby and kids took me out for a burger and a beer at the Red Hook brewery.
Not a bad Sunday and I realized I can't go another two weeks without running. I just don't feel the same!
In the end here are my stats-not pretty, but I'll take em'!
Total time: 1:32:06
Total distance: 9.32
Avg. pace: 9:53
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Nice job Sarah! This is the first race post-marathon right? So funny about Bachelor girl. Is she a host or contestant?
ReplyDeleteIf you get photos, ,be sure to post them!
It was actually my second, but the first one I ran more like a long run chatting. This is the first race I actually "raced" In fact in a lot of ways it was the first race I raced in a long time. It even feels like I put forth more effort here than I did at my full! The goal of the full was to finish and I KNOW I had more in me at the finish of the full. This race-not so much!! Two days post race my legs hurt WAY more than two days post full
DeleteThe girl from the Bachelor is a contestant-one of the two finalists! Finally is next Monday night. I kind of don't think she ends up with the guy, but who knows!