11 Miles w/ a 5K PR

I signed up for a charity 5K (The MaDee Project) with my running buddy Patty. I kind of wanted to race it and try to PR over my first (and only) 5K back in May (I don't count Color Me Rad because it's not timed).

I knew it would be challenging to try to race it to PR since my first 5K was an 8:45 average and I generally run 9-9:30. Patty explained the route was hilly and we may just be better off to build it into a long run. I agreed and we made a plan to run to the 5K from the park, run the 5K and then run back to the park.

Friday night I realized I didn't calculate the entrance to the museum grounds where the 5K was being held, that would add almost 2 more miles, making it 11 miles. I also realized it was going to be a hilly 11 miles. I got scared and texted Patty. She convinced me it'd be OK (because we'd have some rests built into our run).

I didn't "fuel" well the night before either... I had crabcakes with some spicy sauce at a new Mediterranean restaurant. So I texted my other running buddy Kuhlmann (who I went to Baltimore with) and he basically said "you ran 13 miles last weekend, you'll be fine." I'm convinced I could tell him I'm running 20 miles tomorrow and he'd say "you can do it/you'll be fine."

I often let my mental game get in the way. Thank goodness for my running buddies because they always convince me I can do things.

 Saturday morning came and Patty & I started out at the park. We ran 3 miles to Sheetz, bought a drink and headed towards the museum. As soon as we hit the entrance we realized there were no street lights on the mile entrance to the museum... YIKES. I didn't wear my hat light because I knew it'd be daylight after the first 4 miles. Luckily, I had my cell phone in my spi-belt for emergencies (we went sans-music), so I turned on my flashlight app and we kept going. We were definitely lucky, that would not have been a fun mile with absolutely no light.

We had picked our bibs up the day before so we were ready to go for the race. We spent the half hour stretching, hydrating and chatting with other runners/walkers. I hadn't planned to wear my long sleeve pullover (Lululemon Star Runner Pullover in Purple) but I am so glad I did... it was cold!

We started out at the front of the line (wow! never done that before) and took off. We took off pretty fast but reeled it in a bit. We were still going fast but it felt good. There was a girl in pink (part of the "Rack Pack" for breast cancer) that was in front of us the entire first loop (race was 2 loops for 5K). At the start of the second loop I said "I want to pass her!" - probably a bit too loud (sorry!!) - but I meant it in the nicest way possible. She had been keeping me going and was pulling away. I suddenly decided I might not pass her but I wanted to keep her in sight. We sped up trying to stay with her and the run started to hurt.

I found out later she had heard me, but was VERY sweet! When we caught up to her running she told us we were doing great (as was she!) and encouraged us. Patty had more to give so I told her to GO. For the rest of the run I had Patty up ahead "pulling" me on and Awesome-Rack-Pack-Runner right on my heels pushing me forward. I would not have ran that fast if not for them... I yelled at one point "THIS IS NOT MY HAPPY PACE."

It was a hilly 5K with pavement, grass and gravel. I was so HAPPY to see the finish (although it did go by very fast!). And as I crossed the finished the timing guy said "26:17" and I was so excited that I had a new PR!!

I chugged water, ate an apple, relaxed a bit and thanked Rack Pack Runner for being my "rabbit" (her term that I love!). Then we hit the road for the 4 miles home. It was a bit hilly at first and I was so thankful for a long downhill. We kept up a really good pace and ended with a nice average pace for the day! It wasn't the same as a straight 11 mile run but I know I ran my heart out, especially during the 5K!!

Thanks to Patty I achieved a new PR AND had a heck of a long run!

Hot Pink Compression Sleeves in the Background

First Time. First Place {in my age group for women}

Today I ran my first ever race, a 5K at the local PD. I had told myself because this was shorter distance wise than I normally run, I wanted to up my pace. So I set a goal of better than 9:30/mile.

Some crappy things made me start thinking last night maybe my goal should be just finishing without ever walking.

Not so good things:

• I ate like crap the last two days
• My Thursday 4-6 mile run turned into a little 2 mile run
• This morning I woke up at 4am (Andy and I have both been having trouble sleeping) and I could not get back to sleep for the life of me. Daannnngggg it.

Now for the good things: 

• Yesterday, my new Saturday morning running buddies e-mailed that they were signing up and running with me instead of running the park. This meant the world to me... to have new friends coming and running my first race ever with me!  Here is where I would insert a photo of us after the race... but we forgot! 
• My amazing friend Kim came by before she went into work and gave me an encouraging hug and words of encouragement. She also brought her furr-baby, Ginger, who I love. Ginger gave me lots of hugs and kisses for good luck.
• Babe got to work traffic control... meaning I'd get to see him TWICE during the race.
• My mom & BFF Lindz remembered & text me Good Luck. 

First Race Bib ever. True Story: I had to look up whether I pinned it on the front or back of my shirt. haha, novice.

When race time came I realized I was actually nervous, but glad it started quickly. Everyone took off running and so I joined in and ran like crazy up that huge, never-ending, hill {trust me I exaggerate, but it did suck}. I knew I was probably running way to fast. I shouldn't be dumb and run too fast in the beginning. I also realized I was in front of my running buddies who have much more experience than me and I figured I was screwed. I dropped back with them trying to slow myself down so I didn't burn out but I couldn't so I just said screw it and figured I'd live with the consequences after the first mile of running too fast.

When I finally got out of that never ending hill incline there was a great side street that was shaded with trees and it felt amazing. I realized that running down hills isn't as great as it seems... or at least someone needs to teach me a technique for this!

I was sweating. I was hot. I was breathing heavier than I normally do when I run. BUT I was still going. I was so nervous I would get a cramp or start feeling sick to my stomach. When I got to less than .75mile left I was tired. I kept staring at the guy in front of me thinking I might not pass him, but I will not lose pace with him. Eventually I caught up to him when he slowed down and he had just began to walk when I got to him. I laughed and said "You were keeping me going!" and he said "alright" and started running with me.

The women beside us told me to catch the girl in pink in front of us because "she'll take your prize". I laughed because I was tired and was afraid I'd puke if I tried to kick it into high gear. I often feel sick when I try to all out sprint the last part of a couple mile run (Andy loves to do this).

I told my new running buddy guy that I would puke if I took her, so we just kept going. I even mentioned that he should take her, but he said it was too early. So we continued at our pace, gaining just barely on her. At the next intersection we both speak to the cop directing traffic... puzzled at this moment we talk to each other and make the connection that we ACTUALLY KNOW EACH OTHER. I worked with his wife for years, we've all been to a concert together. THANK YOU GOD for putting the right people in all moments of my life. We laugh about it as we get closer to the end.

Girl in the pink shirt had been holding her side for awhile and she slowed some more and we took our opportunity. We passed her, rounded the corner and were in the home stretch. At this point he said something to the effect of "take us in" and I took the opportunity to run as hard as I could into the finish. Those last moments felt awesome. People cheering as I rounded that last turn in the road.

Exactly one year ago we were in Mexico (on our belated honeymoon) and I chickened out on the bike tour when I heard it was an hour through the jungle. I couldn't ride a bike for an hour... much less run a mile. Here I was one year later, 85lbs lighter, finishing my first official 5K. I thanked God more than once during that race for giving me the strength and ability to run. I never want to take it for granted.

After I crossed the finish line I grabbed a water and came back to cheer on my running buddies who had came to run & support me. I was so thankful to have them there with me!

When awards & door prize time came it was starting to rain but we of course were all about winning some door prizes. So believe my surprise when during the awards they called out my name. I have no idea what they actually said, I wasn't paying attention at this point, but I heard them butcher say my last name. I walked up shook hands with chief, took my medal and waked back to the girls. I had to read the back to know what I had won: Women 20-29 1st Place 2012

I look goofy and I didn't even edit this photo to make me less goofy looking because I don't care :)

What?! Turns out I had ran an 8:45/mile pace. Yes, in most normal races this would never get a First Place medal... but I'll take it!  I like these small races already, haha.

Don't worry first place isn't going to my head. I have too many fast friends who would've kicked my butt in that race had they ran with me. The overall winner ran it in 17 minutes. Do the math, I'm not even close... but I. DON'T. CARE. BABY. I ran that beast. I beat my goal (by a lot). I set a new personal record. And it made me excited to run another.