I had no business running in this 10K. I had known about it since probably September when my friend Denise approached me about running the 1/2 with a bunch of our friends. I told her she was out of her mind, but I was going to shoot for the 10K. I thought I could handle it, plus I had what four months to train! BUT, did I train? NO! I secretly wondered if I was really going to go through with it :-) I never did officially register for the race, because a good friend of mine told me that I could just go out there and run in it. So being a cheapskate..that was the plan.
The night before the race, I cooked spaghetti & salad, and drank lots of water. Trying to get a lot of carbs loaded into my body for the race the next day. Also, my friend Kati told me it was a good thing to eat, so that you wouldn't have "bathroom issues" while running! I really wasn't too excited for the race (who would be right?), until there was a knock at my door. Two cute ladies from my ward dropped off 2 big bottles of gatorade with words of encouragement. That's when it hit me that I was going to be running 6 MILES the next day! Yikes! It was the first moment that I actually got excited about the race. So thank you Tiffany & Jenny for bringing my spirits up! Then it was on! After dinner, I told Chad I was nervous and my stomach started to get upset. He laughed and said, "don't worry, if we have to we'll walk the whole 6 miles!". But I didn't want to walk it!! I was determined to run as much as I could. Needless to say, I didn't sleep well that night and I had a dream that I forgot to wear my sportsbra! Thank goodness it was only a dream!
The next morning we packed up the kids, stroller, lots of water and headed off. We got out to Schnepf Farms about 7, but the race didn't start till 8 am. So we decided to hit up the grocery store for some donuts for the kids. Most people would be downing lots of water, bananas, etc..then there was us. Yes, Chad and I had a doughnut too! I thought what the heck, the extra sugars will carry me through the race! Sadly, I think it helped :-)
We arrived at the race and started to stretch. Then my guilty conscious started wearing on me. I didn't register either of us and all the money was going to families of those who had children with cancer, etc. It was for such a good cause and I didn't register and I felt horrible. Then I got nervous that they would call us out for not having a number bib on.
The race started and we took off in the crowd. Chad and I ran the first 2 miles together and by the 3rd mile he was getting a little winded pushing an extra 80 pounds. So he said, "keep on going and I'll catch up with you". Sweet boy! So I put my IPOD, turned it up loud, and kept on running. For those of you that know me, I am NOT a runner! But for some reason..I call it a miracle, I ran and ran and ran. I didn't get tired like I usually do after 5 mins. My side didn't hurt in pain like it usually does and I ran like forrest gump! I have to say there is something about being outdoors, enjoying nature and the farm scenery that kept me going. I would say I did what I wanted to accomplish and ran 4 1/2 to 5 miles of this race. The last mile I did slow down to a walk, but once I saw the end in sight I was off again. It was the best feeling in the world!
Disregard the red arrows, that was the 1/2 that my crazy awesome friends did. You go girls! Our 10K is in blue..it was just plenty for Chad and I!
We had to laugh, because a guy that was running the 1/2 marathon passed us when we were on our 3rd mile, it was his 8th mile. Then when I was on my 5th mile, he passed me AGAIN! You do the math, pathetic and slow as I was I still finished!
By the 6th mile, Chad was on my tail and he ran in ONE MINUTE after me! YES, you heard it, I BEAT HIM 78 minutes to 79 minutes! Very close, but I do have bragging rights! Funny story..as I was running in a guy asked me for my # bib. I kept running past him and told him that my husband had it in our stroller. Poor Chad always has to cover for me:-) Then I went off to hide in the crowd. I felt so guilty! When I found Chad I asked him what his response was to the man that was asking for his # bib. He said, "I told him I didn't have one!" Why couldn't I have just said that and saved myself so much embarrassment and guilt? Note to self..register always, that will never happen again!
Thanks honey for being supportive, giving your all, and pushing an extra 80 pounds. Heaven knows I couldn't have done it! I'm so proud of you and I'm proud of myself. This was something that I can now cross off of my life-list of things to do. Who knows, maybe it will be a 1/2 marthon next! Thanks to Denise for getting me going on this! It was one of the best feelings of my life!
After the race
Yes, I will take credit for all of the pain that I am now in. By the time we got home, which was 20 mins later. I got out of the car and my calves were locked in place! Chad laughed. But by yesterday we were both like 2 old people trying to walk around and every nook and cranny hurt...and then I laughed! Needless to say, we have been taking many baths and stretching often. Another lesson learned!
