Running in the Rockies

I did it!!! I am now officially a double digit runner!!!! [applause] My partner and I decided to try using hydration systems and fuel (GU, etc). We stopped/walked to "eat" and drink about mile 3.5 and mile 7. I was really tired the entire run. At about mile 7.5, I told her to run ahead because I was obviously slowing her down. I learned a lot on this run:

1) staying up late with my sister-in-law from out of town for 4 nights in a row takes its toll

2) my body prefers the BLOKS to the GUs

3) I should take at least 2 at a time, rather than 1

4) my partner must be sugar sensitive because as I was fantasizing about going to sleep on the trail, she was getting more and more perky from her BLOKS and energy drink.

5) I need to eat some fuel right before and right after my run because water isn't enough; I feel too exhausted to eat breakfast until I almost get sick

6) and last of all - I can do it!!!! ; )

I really felt awful for about an hour after my run, and then I started to perk up a little. But I've been tired and feeling "off" all day. All my joints feel great and my legs aren't even sore. But my body just feels low on ... whatever is necessary for normal life. ha!

(Hey, check it out! Since my long run is on a Monday, I'm on page TWO of the mileage board. Sweeeet!)

I forgot to set my alarm clock last night, so I missed the run with Laura and Dawn; so I just went out on my own route by my house. I can't believe my 10K is already 3 days away and my half marathon is a month away. Ahhhhh!!!

Nice, easy run this morning. I keep thinking about my 10K. Here are my goals.:

Gold - anything less than an hour

Silver - 1:05 or less

Bronze - 1:10 or less

Anything slower than 1:10 means I took it as easy as my regular runs. So ... we'll see!

My first 10K!!! It was absolutely the perfect day for it and the perfect race. It's considered the fastest 10K in Colorado; and the day dawned slightly cloudy with not a stitch of breeze. Perfect! I woke up and got ready as usual for a run, and right as I was about to head out the door I thought I would throw up from nerves. ha! I stretched at home and then headed to the race. I did a little warm up jogging and stretched more. With about 10 minutes before the race, I ate 2 BLOKS. The race started at 7:00 and I chose to place myself very close to the end of the pack. It was actually awe inspiring when we started and I saw how many people there were running. It's a strange but very palpable camaraderie. I took my first mile at a comfortable, but not slow pace. And then after mile 1, I kept telling myself, "It's a 10k, Laura, it's supposed to hurt! Give it your all!" My pace started slacking when that mental pep talk stopped. I'm glad that I positioned myself at the back because it was mentally more encouraging to be passing people all through the race, rather than being passed the whole time. I felt like I paced myself well and pushed hard as well. I'm glad I took my Garmin so I could see when I was running slower than 10:00 and consciously crank it up a notch. So, here are my splits:

1 - 10:15

2 - 9:41

3 - 9:32

4 - 9:49

5 - 9:38

6 - 9:33

.2 - 7:46 ave pace

Total time: 1:00:41 (ave pace 9:47)

I am SO bummed!! I'm a stupid 40 seconds off my goal time. I really wanted to get under an hour. But I didn't do the math right - I thought keeping it a little under 10:00 pace would get me there. But it's actually under a 9:40 pace. A stupid 7 seconds a mile faster than what I ran. I really feel like I could've done that. Aaaaarrrgh!

Learning how to run and beginning to race has been such an interesting experience over the last year. I was never a runner before - never even did sports in high school. So, the idea and ability to "give me all" is still somewhat foreign. I know that my last .3 miles, I was about to die; but the 6 miles before that I was pushing, yet still surprisingly comfortable. I don't know if that's because I wasn't pushing hard enough or if I just found my running "zone." Well, ... there will be many more races in the future; and I hope that by continuing to run and race I will be able to gauge myself, my limits, and my capabilities better. All in time, I guess.