On Saturday, April 21, 2012 I ran the first annual Run for Brighter Days 10k trail race. This was a small race but I love small races in my area! They are all usually well organized and supported by the local runners, and this one was no different.
Can I just go ahead and say up front that I do not like trails. There, I said it. I don't really know why, but I don't. I love the surroundings that trails usually bring but I just don't enjoy running on that type of surface.
Can I just go ahead and say up front that I do not like trails. There, I said it. I don't really know why, but I don't. I love the surroundings that trails usually bring but I just don't enjoy running on that type of surface.
The morning started out bright at early at 6:00am after the husband woke me up as he was making noise getting ready to go turkey hunting. I don't know why putting on camouflage has to be so noisy.
I couldn't go back to sleep so I got up, fixed me a 1/4th a cup of coffee and played around on the computer. After coffee I got my things together that I needed for the run and woke up the furry baby and took him out. We played for a few minutes and then I got dressed and ate my banana and Luna bar for breakfast.
The race didn't start until 9:00 so I had plenty of time. I would rather they start early, but that's just me. Lauren came and picked me up at my house around 8:00 and we said bye to the pup pup and we headed to the race. We got there in plenty of time and walked to the registration area to get our bibs. Neither one of us got the right size shirts because they had already run out. Not that I don't have enough race shirts already, but this is probably my only complaint about this race.
We walked over and chatted with G and B of Carolina Running Company. They do such a fabulous job timing the local races around here! I left them and hit the trail for a little warm up before the race started!
The race started promptly at the said start time. I almost forgot to start my watch. That's me up there scrambling to find satellite before the gun went off.
The begining of the course took you downhill and the back uphill on gravel terrain. That was tricky!
I went out way too fast, as usual. I have been working on this so hopefully I will continue to learn how to start a bit slower. My first mile was 6:57 so I knew I had to slow down a bit.
Here I am coming back up the hill near the end of the first mile.
After the first mile or so we split off from the 5k runners and I was pretty much on my own. There were only a few guys in front of me and after a few turns they got out of my site. I had no idea where anyone else was or how close anyone was behind me.
I started cramping at Mile 2. I slowed down a little bit, let the cramps do their thing and thank goodness they went away. Mile 2 was the slowest mile at 7:45 and then I picked it back up.
There were a good many turns and the signs were small so I had to look close to see where to go. I don't like having to do that. It takes extra work. I would rather just follow the person in front of me!
Mile 3 all I could think about was how I was going to be able to hold on to my pace. It was hot, I was on a surface I didn't like, and there was nothing but open fields around me with zero shade. Enter positive self talk. It works, people!
The next few miles were tough. I only took in one little bit of water and kept trudging. Only once did I suspect I had made a wrong turn because the sign was not visible and there were 5k walkers coming at me from two different directions. Luckily, I made the right turn!
I don't know my last few splits because I can't find it on my Garmin. I do know they were pretty fast.
I will say that I love to finish a race strong and totally out of breath. Mission Accomplished!
Yes, those ladies behind me are 5k walkers. I finished about 5 mintutes in front of the next girl.
Official race time = 44:58
3rd place Overall out of 38 runners
1st Place Overall Female
A 6 minute PR for me on a trail course, I'll take it!
I won a Dicks gift card and a gift card to the spa for a manicure! WOW! Definitely best award I think I have received from a race! That was very nice and much appreciated!
If I am able, I will definitely do this race again next year! Hopefully I will be up for the challenge!
The begining of the course took you downhill and the back uphill on gravel terrain. That was tricky!
I went out way too fast, as usual. I have been working on this so hopefully I will continue to learn how to start a bit slower. My first mile was 6:57 so I knew I had to slow down a bit.
Here I am coming back up the hill near the end of the first mile.
After the first mile or so we split off from the 5k runners and I was pretty much on my own. There were only a few guys in front of me and after a few turns they got out of my site. I had no idea where anyone else was or how close anyone was behind me.
I started cramping at Mile 2. I slowed down a little bit, let the cramps do their thing and thank goodness they went away. Mile 2 was the slowest mile at 7:45 and then I picked it back up.
There were a good many turns and the signs were small so I had to look close to see where to go. I don't like having to do that. It takes extra work. I would rather just follow the person in front of me!
Mile 3 all I could think about was how I was going to be able to hold on to my pace. It was hot, I was on a surface I didn't like, and there was nothing but open fields around me with zero shade. Enter positive self talk. It works, people!
The next few miles were tough. I only took in one little bit of water and kept trudging. Only once did I suspect I had made a wrong turn because the sign was not visible and there were 5k walkers coming at me from two different directions. Luckily, I made the right turn!
I don't know my last few splits because I can't find it on my Garmin. I do know they were pretty fast.
I will say that I love to finish a race strong and totally out of breath. Mission Accomplished!
Yes, those ladies behind me are 5k walkers. I finished about 5 mintutes in front of the next girl.
Official race time = 44:58
3rd place Overall out of 38 runners
1st Place Overall Female
A 6 minute PR for me on a trail course, I'll take it!
I won a Dicks gift card and a gift card to the spa for a manicure! WOW! Definitely best award I think I have received from a race! That was very nice and much appreciated!
If I am able, I will definitely do this race again next year! Hopefully I will be up for the challenge!
That is awesome, WAY TO GO!!
ReplyDelete