The weekend was a good one. Jumped in with tri-buddies Shannon and Dana for the 2.5 hour ride down to Regina. Did the usual chatting about shopping deals, tri club gossip, fun stories, race advice...this last one was more for me than them.
Got to Regina in good time to pick up race packages and dropped all our gear off at the hotel and walked to the mall downtown. Wandered around for awhile but none of us were in a real shopping mood. I was starting to bonk big time and needed food...real food...not some food court crap. Went to Boston Pizza (I know, slightly above food court crap...) which has become our Regina trip tradition...we have done this trip for the last few years...ate like queens...pasta, salad, bread...was great!!
Went back to the hotel and laid around the entire evening watching tv and visiting some more and finally reading to make sure were were good and tired. I was the first to go down at 9:30...and I slept like a log...it was great...I woke up in the same position I had fallen asleep in...that's when you know it was a good one!!
Did the whole pre-race routine thing. Thanks to Shannon for being my "race-wife"...she remembered breakfast (bagel and banana) and some cheap socks with the toes cut off for throw away arm warmers...
Headed down to the race start and it was foggy and spitting rain. It was feeling like a perfect day to run!! These girls are serious competitors (they are doing Chicago in a few weeks and both expect to qualify for Boston...) and warmed up before the run...so I didn't want to sit by myself so I warmed up as well..ahahahahaha!!! And I even stretched!! Did the porta potty thing...shed the last minute warm up gear...dropped off our bags...we were ready to roll.
If you have been following this blog you know that I have tried to work real hard on my running and have been disappointed most of the spring/summer with my results at races.
Today was the day it aaaaaallll came together for me!
I knew it was bound to happen if I just kept getting out there.
The first 5km were not what I would have hoped. My legs were heavy and I could not catch my breath. It was humid and foggy and I felt like I was breathing into a pillow. It was the usual crowded start and dodging the odd runner. Dana's race advice was "When you are racing, it is all about you. Don't worry about anyone else out there...only think about you..." So. I did not talk to anyone, I did not notice any spectators, I went within myself and just ran.
The second 5km was good. I found my legs and I kept checking Gary Garmin and I was telling myself to just slooooowwww down!! My pace was way fast for me. But I was feeling really good!! I hit the 10km mark in the fastest 10km I have EVER ran!!???
I took water and gatorade in at every aid station, I only walked through two of them. This is a GREAT race if anyone ever wants to consider doing it...so much support, well organized, I love this race!
The 3rd 5km was STILL really good!! I was amazed at how good I felt!! This is when I tend to start to fall apart, but not today. I just kept telling myself "tiny, quick steps, keep your back straight, keep your head up, don't look to far ahead of you, it's ALL about me!!"
The next 3km in other races I have to walk, I start cursing, hate running, swear I am never doing this again...but yesterday was a different story...I was still running!! I felt awesome!! I was passing people!! My pace was still crazy fast for me!! What was happening??
Could I be a runner???
And if I am totally honest, the last 3km were the toughest. Like really, really tough. As in I was just putting one foot in front of the other...still running...but slowing down...alot. But I DID NOT WALK!! I RAN up that last hill!! I was being passed by all sorts of people. But I didn't care. I came around that last corner and I heard the announcer say someone's name and "One hour 54 minutes!!" OMG!! I was almost there! Could I break 1:55? Sooooo close!!
1:55.13
I was super happy. And super dizzy at the end. I had to grab the metal gate enclosing the finish line to steady myself because I thought for sure I was going down....and I thought I was going to throw up...
Found Shannon and Dana afterwards and congratulated each other for a superb day. Dana was THIRD in her age group (our age group...) and Shannon was SECOND!!! They also did personal bests by a few minutes!
I feel fantastic today. My legs are just a tiny bit sore. Not bad at all. I am really, really pleased that was my last run for the year...and I am totally sucked in now that I can totally go FASTER!!!
