Saturday, May 1, 2010
Autism Piece Walk/5k Run
My neighbor Jodie and I before the race.
Today was the day of the race. I was feeling pretty ready, as ready as could be. My neighbor, Jodie, and I ran on Tuesday this week for 2.5 miles. We did pretty good and pretty much kept at a ten minute per mile pace. Although I hadn't made it to 3.1 miles yet in my training, I felt pretty confident that my adrenaline would carry me across the finish line.
I checked the weather forecast about a million times yesterday for the race today. Unfortunately it was looking like rain but hardly any wind. A good compromise in my opinion. It started raining pretty hard as we were driving there but calmed down once we pulled up and walked to get our timers. They gave us little sensors to put on our shoes that tell you your race time at the end. Awesome!
I also saw my friend from the MOMS club there, Jessica, so we all chit chatted before the race. They played the National Anthem before the race started, which I thought was nice and always makes me tear up whenever I hear it. The rain started to pick up right before we took off. I was ready to get going and warm up some, it was only 60.
There were a couple hundred (maybe?) runners there and we were at the front. I tried to start off at a slow pace. There were quite a lot of hills the first half of the race. I knew if I took off with too much gusto than I would be hitting the wall at the end. I would slow down for the most part every time I would go uphill. The course had a turn around point. I was so grateful for that! It's really nice to run to a certain point and know "Okay I'm halfway done." It is just a very big motivator.
The last mile was really tough. It varied between flat and somewhat downhill, some uphill. I think I made a few mistakes on this run. First, I ate too close to the race and I think I ate too much. Second, I think my pace might have been a little too fast at some points. I had the worst side cramps I have ever had while running. Every bouncing step was painful and even hurt to take deep breaths. I pretty much just ended up running with my hand on my side the last half mile. I probably looked to most people like I was going to pass out at any second. There was a guy taking pictures of runners at the end, I hope he missed me. My side is still hurting four hours later. I wonder if I strained a muscle or something.
Well, I finished all 3.1 miles in 32 minutes and 31 seconds. That's like 10 minutes 9 seconds per mile! No stopping, which is better than the time I ran a few years ago. I was in better shape back then too.
My next goal is to run a 5k with Eli. Not sure when the next one might be. But I am going to try and work in more strength training to my routine and improve my diet.
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