First Race of 2010

Mar 16, 2010

I ran my first race of 2010 this past Saturday.  It was POURING rain, freezing cold and so incredibly windy! I was nervous at first - it was my longest race so far (4 miles), I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to use my ipod because of the rain (lame, I know but I love me a good playlist!) and because everyone else looked so prepared and athletic.  I knew I wasn't going to be able to use my Nike+ because I didn't want to ruin it in the rain - there was NO WAY I could keep that dry on my shoe...so there went any ideas I had about keeping track of my time and pace.

The first 1/2 mile was up a pretty decent hill where we turned around and ran back down.  The rest of the course was relatively flat, as the woman at the sign-in table had described.  I was feeling pretty good, despite the rain and the fact that I was still nursing a pulled muscle in my shin (could be shin splints, who really knows - my PT cleared me to run though!), The last 1/2 - 3/4 of a mile was all uphill.  Awesome, apparently the woman at the sign-in table thought this little detail didn't matter! I thought I was doing terrible, I felt like I was barely moving - my legs were heavy, my feet were cold and I was soaking wet.  As I got to the top of the hill there were a bunch of people at the finish line which totally gave me a second wind.  I kicked it in and made it through to the finish line!  I didn't even notice my time, but the girl who came in right behind me said it was close to 37:00. 

I checked on the posted times afterwards, it was 36:58!!!  That's a 9:15 minute mile!!!!!!!  I'm not going to lie, I cried on my way home.  I NEVER thought I would have been able to run that fast or that far! It's an absolutely amazing feeling.  It's so nice to see all the hard work I put in at the gym everyday pay off.  I was so excited to tell my trainer about my race when I went to the gym this morning.  Thanks to everyone on the Exercise & Fitness boards - you guys are awesome! You make me want to push myself harder to see what I can do.  You guys are hardcore and wicked inspiring!!  I'm pumped about my upcoming races and can't wait for the next one!



 

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