What an awesome weekend!
I haven’t raced too much this Fall ( I guess maybe due to conflicting high school cross country races) , but now I’m really getting back into it with back to back races this past Saturday and Sunday.
Saturday was a 5k and a potential PR course. The course has a net elevation drop, plus they changed the course to take out the tough hill at the beginning of mile 3. The start and finish were downhill, and the middle mile was rolling hills. The weather was absolutely beautiful, sunny and in the low 60’s. So all the stars were lined up for a spectacular race! And it was!! Although I didn’t PR, I did get a time that I’m pleased with, and my best time all year.
The best part of the race was all of the friends that were also there. Several of them PR’d, including my husband who shaved 8 seconds off of his previous time. My marathon buddy, who I hadn’t seen in months was also there. And so was my running nemesis (who really is a good friend…and who really is MUCH faster than me). I told her that I was thrilled that she had decided to run the 10k!! I also told her that she is one of the fastest ladies in the city in our age group. She didn’t believe me…but keep reading for more on that.
I won second in my Age Group, which made me kind of cranky b/c I thought I’d get first with running nemesis in the 10k. I’m sorry and embarrassed to say that I think I scowled when I accepted my award from a former Olympic cross country racer. What a poor sport I am!
On Sunday, I ran the Atlanta Track Club’s 10 miler with 4,057 other people. Big, HILLY race, and a guaranteed PR b/c this was my first 10 mile race. My goal was to finish between 1:20 and 1:30, and I just barely squeaked in with a 1:29:47! I also knew several people who were going to be running in this race, but didn’t see any of them the whole time.
Participation in this race benefitted our cross country team. For every 10 mile runner who specified our cross country team as a beneficiary, the Atlanta Track Club donated a certain amount to our team. Another way for our team to raise funds was by manning a cheer station. The more participants, the more funds raised. Our team had a cheer station at mile 2/8.
Running by our team was just GREAT!! I wore a team shirt, to make sure that everyone recognized me. Our station was set up on a corner, with the boys first, and the girls as you rounded the bend. The boys cheered politely as I passed…many of them don’t know me. But when I came around the corner and the girls recognized me, a giant, genuine cheer went up! How Thrilling! That truly made the whole race for me.
Did I mention that the course was hilly? 6 miles after passing our cheer station, I was feeling pretty awful from all of the hills. I was coming up another hill when I could hear a lot of cheering ahead. In my run drunk state, I was able to figure out that I was coming up on our cheer station again. I felt really embarrassed at how slowly I was running, so as I came into their view, I perked up a bit and faked it.
Faking it past our cheer station
The last mile or so was downhill…a blessing, but as I checked my watch I knew I had to put a push on to get in under 1:30. I managed to do it, but felt pretty fuzzy for a while after the finish. My running nemesis said she saw me finish, but I never saw her.
And end of the story for her…she came in third for our age group in a big race where all of the fastest ladies in the city compete…so there I was right!
Today I am trying a link up for the Weekly Wrap hosted by Holly @ HoHoRuns and Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin. See rules here. Thank you ladies!
Hope your weekend was as great as mine? Did you run any races?
Travel, Running and a Little Bit of Style 