Race: This is the 3rd race in the Trivium series, RunnerDude 10K (also a 10 mile option) on 4/7/19. Just one week after PTI Run the Runway.
Goal: Run hard and have fun with it! A PR would be 48:35 or faster, and the age group record at this race is 49:13. So with those numbers in mind, I thought maybe one or both of those would be within reach?
Gear: Finally, I got to wear my Oiselle Blackbird crop without covering it up! Also Oiselle shorts and ProCompression/Oiselle socks. Plus my Garmin, iPod, and RoadID bracelet, and new Altra Kayenta’s. I felt so free, not having so much gear (unlike at my trail races!)
Gut: With a 7:10 AM start, I didn’t want to wake up 3 hours earlier, like my usual. So I woke at 5, ate half of a very ripe banana, then had a toast with blackberry jam. Plus 16 oz of Nuun electrolytes (half a tab of Watermelon, and half a tab of caffeine, can’t remember the flavor). I wasn’t able to go (ahem) like I wanted to, but still felt like my tummy was fine *whew, what a relief!*
Weather: mid-50’s and cloudy, with some fog. Pretty much just what I wanted!
Pre-Race: Arrived at 6:20ish, got a good parking spot near Runner Dude Fitness off Cone Blvd. After a bathroom stop, did a 1.5 mile warm-up along the greenway. I never realized the greenway went underneath Cone Blvd, so I felt like I found a new “secret” in Greensboro! I had to laugh at myself, I have driven past that spot every day on my way home from work for nearly 3 years now, and never noticed it! I ran a few strides but wanted to conserve energy since I had a lighter breakfast than usual. I ran into an old teammate, Marie, so we chatted for a few. It was so nice to have a friend to share the race experience with! After one more potty stop, I was ready to go! I told Marie that I just wanted to be able to run, and hoped my tummy cooperated.
Race: At 7:10, we were off! I purposely held back a little, not wanting to go out too fast. I didn’t notice the camera/photographer until the last second here, can you tell?
I found a guy who seemed the same pace as me (“gold shirt guy” as I called him in my head–shown above), and drafted off him for the first 2 miles or so. I thought we were going at a pretty good pace, and the first portion was downhill, so I felt good, and fast. I made the mistake of checking my watch at the 3 mile mark, and when I saw it was almost at 25 minutes, I felt crummy. I had really hoped to have a fast (for me) type of day, but this meant I was looking at a 50 minute 10K, and that was if the hills during the second half didn’t slow me down much. I told myself to forget about the time and just run hard and enjoy it. Also note to self–no more looking at the watch!!
Unfortunately, the second half wasn’t super enjoyable, as the hills were tough! I felt so slow going uphill, and couldn’t get into a good rhythm because we were either running up or down a hill! I tried to keep a few guys in my sights, but they seemed to have much more pep in their step than me. I was really thankful I had music, and some great songs were playing and keeping me going. The course also had a lot of volunteers who did a great job and cheered very enthusiastically. At one street crossing, I could see there were many cars lined up, with cops directing traffic, and I picked up the pace to get across the street and not make them wait longer. When I got across, the volunteer on the other side shouted “Yeah girl! Look at you, you stopped traffic!” or something like that. She made me laugh, which was a welcome thing during my labored breathing and screaming leg muscles.
Finally, I was in the last mile. I had dedicated a mile to each family member, as I sometimes do, and mile 6 was my hubby mile. I was able to pick it up a little, and attempted to catch the guy in front of me (didn’t happen, even though he kept taking walking breaks!) Oh how I wanted to walk, and just be done! My mantra became, just keep pushing, Go GO GO! and finally I saw the finish. It was a painful last 0.25 miles (I guess the course was a bit long). But as I crossed the line, I heard the announcer say my name, and say “Here’s our 3rd female overall finisher!” and I was like WHAAAAAT? I had told myself, don’t think about times, don’t think about placing, and there I was as the third female overall. I couldn’t believe it. I was so grateful that I kept pushing and didn’t give up, even though I really, really wanted to.
Results: 3rd place overall! 51:18 (2 minutes behind 2nd place, 1 min in front of 4th and 5th). 3rd of 61 ladies (if I counted right). 18th of 113 runners total.
I got these great pics below courtesy of my friend Marie, then a pic with her showing our awards (RunnerDude flags!) I picked up my $25 check for 3rd place afterwards!
Recommend: For sure! From the awesome swag (unique tank shown above, another medal in the race series) to a well-organized course, with lots of food afterwards, lots of close parking, and did I mention cash prizes?! I really liked this one. I want to break the age group course record next year (49:13–totally doable considering my 10K a few years ago in Winston was 48:36)
Garmin Stats:
Afterwards… lots of food, some stretching, and a nap!
A few days later…. I turned the big 3-4! I am entering my last year in this age group… gonna make it good!! 🙂 Next up is my goal race, this Sunday 4/14!!! Hoping to post a super speedy time 🙂
[…] just gave myself some grace, and tried my best. Since I ran hard at PTI, and then a week later at RunnerDude 10K, then this was a week after that–I wasn’t sure if I’d be recovered. So yeah, I […]