I had some serious doubts earlier this week as to whether or not I'd actually be able to do the Run. I came down with a nasty head cold last weekend, I was sick most of the week. Worked a 16 hour day on Thursday and was feeling pretty out of it still on Friday when my husband and I went to the expo to pick up my race kit.
However, I was determined. I was doing this! They were originally calling for the day to be warm and dry, and that changed on Friday to cloudy with a chance of showers. I was a little relieved as I didn't really want to run in the heat. However getting soaken wet seems to be the norm for me these days.
It was great having a major race at home. We left the house at 8:15, and my husband dropped me off at 8:25. I had an hour to wait before my race, but that just meant that I got to see the start of the half marathon. I cheered them on as they went by and I was actually able to spot Kenny in the crowd and then I saw Marie who was one of the pacers for the half. After they left I headed over to the festival area where I saw several people that I know, one of the directors from work and several of the run clinic people who were all out in force.
It wasn't too long before it was time for the 10K's to warm up and head to the start line. That's where I saw Kobie, who was one of the leaders in my learn to run clinic back in January and Rick, who was our leader at the start of the Run 101 Clinic.
I was feeling really nervous as the count down started, I was coughing and I just didn't want to have to bale out of the race. I knew that my mom, brother, sister and brother in law were going to be waiting for me around the 3.5K mark, it's the first race they were able to come to and I wanted to actually be running not walking when I saw them.
The first wave of 10K runners left the start and the second wave(which I was in) moved up to the start line. I put myself towards the middle of the pack and kept over to the right so that hopefully people wouldn't have to dodge around me. I have to admit, my confidence wasn't really stellar at that point and I was wondering what on earth I had gotten myself into but off I went with everyone else. My attitude quickly changed once I got going and I saw a couple of the ladies from Run Clinic cheering me on as I went past. It was a great atmosphere.
The first section of the course was uphill, no way around it, not a fun way to start a race but there you have it. What are you going to do? So I ran ! I was feeling pretty good at the top of the hill, when the rain started. I headed up along Emerson to Gladwin, then we veered back into the park. We went down a steep hill to the lake and then out onto the road. I texted my brother when I hit the 3K mark to let them know I was almost to them. I was feeling pretty good when I came around the corner and saw my sister with her camera and my mom, brother and brother in law standing in front of their place cheering me on. It really gave me a boost. I knew I was trailing way behind the bulk of the 10K runners, and on the opposite side of the road, some of the marathoners and half marathoners were coming towards me but I kept going. I was excited as I passed the 5K mark and headed down towards the Keg where I knew we would wind around the roads to the turn around point.
I was focused on my breathing when I heard someone yell my name and wave at me. It was a bunch of the 201 Runners whose clinic was on the same night as mine. I also saw my friend Penny(doing the 10K) as she headed back towards the finish line. I started down the hill and saw my friend Jill running towards me. I was so glad to see her and Kristine there! (They had done the Ultra Marathon 52K the day before.) When I turned onto the road by the Keg, I saw Kenny again, he yelled out encouragement to me (Yes Kenny I did make the 10K my B**ch!).
Before I knew it I was at the turn around point and heading back. I heard my name again and two of the marathon runners whose mother is in my clinic blew past me. They were running their hearts out! Oh to be that fast! I made my way back onto the main road and Jill and Kristine were there to cheer me on. I was struggling with the hill a little and Jill ran beside me for a minute, telling me to focus on my feet, don't look up at the hill, just look at where I was going. (Thanks Jill!!!)
A few minutes later I passed the 8K mark and I was happy as a lark. I knew then that I was going to make my time of 1:45. I turned back onto Bevan, the street that would take me past my family and to the finish line and I texted my brother and husband to let them know where I was.
I waved to my family as I ran past them and headed for the finish line. I wanted to run it in and I was feeling it, but heck I wasn't slowing down for nothing. As I crossed over the intersection leading to the finish line, I saw Jill again, this time she ran out to give me a big high five! A moment that the Marathon photographers captured. I love that picture as I look so happy! A few more high fives from total strangers and then I saw my awesome husband who gave me a big high five just before I crossed the finish line!
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| All smiles at the finish line |
It was great to see the Peninsula Runner's staff at the finish line. They were all there to be catchers, and I got high fives from all of them. Kobie, Janet, Jason and Spencer. My husband caught up to me and managed to grab a great picture. My official chip time was 1:41, my garmin time was 1:39:43. http://connect.garmin.com/activity/507140347
I'm really happy with that! I'm proud of myself and how far I've come in a year, and I've got the bling to prove it!
