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Just some thoughts and stuff (most recent entries first, oldest entries beginning at bottom of
page).
My First 15K
On September 1, 2003,
I ran my first 15K race. Something that caught me off guard afterwards was the
reaction of some of the other people I’ve gotten to know through running. Overwhelmingly,
was the question, “why did you do the 15K?” I didn’t have an
answer. And they really were curious. So
often, I do things based on my gut feeling. Sometimes I don’t
even know why I do stuff.
I’m learning about running.
And I gather that this particular distance is usually a stepping-stone. Even
the announcer at the race mentioned that several of the 15K participants were using this race to help prepare themselves for
a winter marathon. So, I guess that people might have been wondering if I had
my sights on a marathon in the near future.
No…I hadn’t thought about that. I mean, someday, maybe…in the distant future.
I really
had to give it some thought…why did I do the 15K? Well, first and
foremost, I wanted to see if I could. I’ve been running 5Ks for a little
over three years now. Last December I got brave and ran my first 10K. It was so thrilling to conquer a new distance. I guess I saw
the opportunity for a new challenge, and couldn’t resist it.
Also, this spring, I reached personal time goals in the 5K. My fastest time was 19:12, and I ran a series of sub-20s. I
was so close to breaking 19:00. Just twelve seconds away. I trained harder, put in more miles, more hills. But…it’s
been several months since I’ve gotten a sub-20. This has me a little discouraged. But I have to keep things in perspective, and go back to why I run/race to begin with. I love the challenge and the excitement. But,
it’s not like I’m an Olympic contender or anything. The world will
not end if I never run sub-20 again. I’m kind of feeling like I have done
the 5K into the ground. Maybe that’s why I did the 15K.
But, nevermind why I did it. I did it!! And it is something I will never forget. The weather was perfect. I was ready for this distance, having
run at least five nine milers in training. I had raced a 5K the previous weekend.
I made a special effort to start out slower than
a 5K. My first mile time was 6:39. I
didn’t pay attention to any of my other split times, but my final time was 64:36, giving me about a 6:55/mile pace. My breathing was fine. A little coughing
here and there, but no wheezing. I felt moments of euphoria along the way, and
I actually caught myself smiling. It just felt so great. I’m not even sure why. It just felt good. At mile 8 I grabbed some water they were offering. I spilled
some on me, but managed to swallow some too (along with some air…there is a fine art to drinking on the run). My thighs and calves were getting tired, and were hurting a little…but a good kind of hurt. I never had that “is this race ever gonna end” feeling. And the most amazing thing….I had KICK left for the finish line!
I rarely ever have kick left in my 5Ks.
At about mile 8.5, I saw some of my 5K friends standing
along the course. They offered me words of encouragement as I passed, and cheered
me on. I’m not used to that. It
made me feel refreshed. It also made me feel honored, because there were runners
that I have looked up to for the past few years. And they were cheering for me. It was very humbling.
There are so many beautiful details about this race
that will be swimming around in my head forever, but I don’t know that anyone would want to read them all. I could write pages and pages.
It was a good race.
I’m glad I did it. I feel like I accomplished something. I didn’t do too bad either. I was fourth female overall. The woman who won it is an Olympic contender.
The other two that beat me are in their early 20s. I did okay J Maybe I will do it again someday…
My Third 10K
May 3, 2003. Run Like Hail 10K (Mayfest). Finish time was 40:54.
Hmmm...maybe I'm starting to like 10Ks...
My Second 10K
February 2, 2003. Ran another 10K today with the small runner's club in Burleson.
As far as overall outcome, I couldn't be happier....first female, and only four men ahead of me. But, my time was 42:34,
giving me a pace of 6:51 per mile. My practice runs are faster than that, even at greater distances. So...I don't
know what to think. I guess there's plenty of room for improvement. No more 10Ks planned for the near future,
but I'm not through with them by any means. Just wish I could pick up the pace.
January 5, 2003
Picked a small, club race today just to keep on my toes. It was a 4 Miler.
My pace was slower, but I think that was due to lack of competition. It was a fun little run.
They also offered a Kid's 1K race for kids 12 and under. Emily was too old
for that one, but Shane wanted to try it. I ran it with him, before my race. There weren't more than 10 kids there,
but Shane stomped them all. And....I think he had fun. He brought home a trophy, which he was thrilled about.
A 1K is about 6/10ths of a mile, and he ran it in 4:35. If he kept that pace
up, he'd do a 5K in around 21 or 22 minutes, which would be an incredible time for his age. But, I doubt he could hold
up the pace. He started out so fast, I was nearly sprinting trying to keep up with him. I kept yelling "Slow down,
Shane! Slow down, Shane!" But, of course he didn't listen! He slowed down right before the finish, when
I was telling him he could run fast now!
His form is beautiful. I love to watch him run. Don't know if he'll
take it up ever. But I really think he would be good at it.
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| Santa Claus at Arlington Winter Run |
My First 10K!!
December 7, 2002
Last year when I ran the Arlington Winter Run, I talked to a man who was in his 60s who was
running the 10K (I ran the 2 mile race). I told him that I was thinking about trying a 10K, and he said I should definetly
make the Arlington Winter Run my first because it has such a nice course. He gave me some pointers. Basically
said that if I could run a 5K, then I could run a 10K...just do it at a slower pace, and don't start out fast. He suggested
I run it that morning, but I knew I wasn't ready.
So...I thought about it all year. Added some mileage to my weekly runs, and decided
to do the Arlington Winter Run 10K this year. I was so excited before the race. While I was doing my warm-up jog,
I watched the other racers at the starting line. "These guys are my heroes, " I thought to myself, "they're the real
runners." And I was so ready to join their ranks.
I positioned myself more towards the middle of the pack because I didn't know what to expect.
I knew that I should follow the advice that I'de been given, and start out slow, and run a slower pace. After the 5K
mark, I still felt pretty good, so I think I ran the right pace. I was totally spent by the end, and I did get passed
just before the finish line, but I know I gave it my all because the next day, my legs were in pretty bad pain. My finish
time was 40:53, so I ran about a six and a half minute pace. That was pretty much what I was shooting for.
Will I run another 10K....not sure yet, but I think I might. I just need to add more
mileage to my training runs. I'm just so thankful that God saw fit to allow me this race, and to allow me to finish
it in a pretty decent time. I wish I could remember the name of the 60 something year old man who first suggested to
me that I try that race. I didn't see him there this year...
Fort Worth Turkey Trot
November 28, 2002
Wondered if it was a good idea to sign up for this race...thought it was a little..untraditional....to
wake up Thanksgiving morning and go run a race. It really turned out to be a great experience though. It was
freezing. Twenty-eight degrees. But, the sun was out, and I was dressed right, so it was comfortable.
There were so many more people there than I would have ever expected. Haven't heard
the final count yet, but it was in the thousands. One of those races where things are claustrophobic at the starting
line. Got towards the front though, so not too much of a delay at the fire of the gun.
Pretty strong race. Six minute pace at the first mile marker. Just past about
mile two-and-a-half, I hear this guy start yelling, "she's dead! she's dead!" He kept yelling it. Then he
starts yelling, "you can take her! you can do it! she's dead!" It finally occurs to me....Ohmygosh...he's
talking about me! He's telling someone I'M DEAD, and she can take ME! So...I picked up the pace. Held strong
for quite awhile. But....she passed me, and beat me by five seconds.
Someone out there...PLEASE give me some pointers! This happens all too often...getting
passed at the end. I think it's mostly mental. We battle it out, then I think I get intimidated, and I'm like...you
deserve it...go ahead and pass me. Or something....I don't know. But I always feel like crap when that happens.
Don't feel too guilty when I do it to someone else though...
Other than that, I'm not disappointed in this race at all. I ran a new PR of 19:17.
I think if I keep up my speed work, and maybe intensify it some, that maybe I might be able to break 19 minutes. Just
seventeen seconds away. Seventeen tiny, torturous seconds...
Thanksgiving dinner tasted great. I had done most of my cooking the night before, so
spending the morning at the race didn't interfere with the rest of the day. And I really enjoyed the race. I actually
thought about what I was Thankful for while I was racing. I'm Thankful for my health, and that God has allowed me the
enjoyment of running. I'm Thankful for my family, for the beautiful weather. And at the end of the day, I'm even
Thankful for my old aching muscles, and tired bones...because they tell me I'm still alive, and they tell me, I'm getting
stronger.
Killer Hill 5K
June 22, 2002
I wish
I could blame my slower time on the "killer hill," but I've actually run tougher hills. This one was VERY steep, but not too
terribly long. But, this was a last minute race that I found out about a week before, so didn't train as diligently as I should
have, and no hill work at all since there are no hills around where I run. But, it was a fun race, and I didn't do too bad.
Very humid, and 85 degrees. I would like to do this one again next year, and train harder for it. Winning female won it in
19:10.
(Update: 6/21/03 Last year I ran Killer Hill in 21:03. This year I did it in 20:15.
I did my hill work this year!)
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