Winter Series #4!

I did it! My first 15k is in the books. I couldn't have asked for a better race. I felt great the entire time. I was confidant and there was never a second that I didn't think I could finish.

I had the pleasure of meeting Suzy’s beautiful family. She did the 3 miler with her hubby and he placed first in his age group! We of course had to snap a picture together.

Most of the Fleet Feet NoBo crew were running the race so we all lined up together. My plan was to run this race as a “training run”. I have a problem with getting caught up in the race adrenaline; which is fine for a 5k but not a 15k. I ended up running with one of the FF guys. He just came back from an ankle injury and had never run longer then 6 miles. He wasn't feeling so great and we stopped to walk several times in the first 4 miles. I didn't mind we were running more then we were walking and that’s all that mattered to me. Around the half way point he told me that he was going to drop back to a 4:1 run/walk and that I should go ahead. I told him no, that I would stay with him but he insisted I go ahead. Would you have left him?

• Mile 1 – 10:13
• Mile 2 – 10:45
• Mile 3 – 10:54
• Mile 4 – 11:16

At this point there weren't many people behind us. I decided I would pick it up as much as I could and see where it got me. I was alone for awhile. Eventually I caught up with a girl I saw in the distance. I passed her and focused on another girl. Passed her. Then there were 2 people running together. I passed them. Then I spotted 4 of the Fleet Feet ladies in the distance. I was at mile 7 and my goal was to catch up and finish the race with them. I finally caught up and found out they were doing a run/walk. I knew that if I stopped to walk it would be difficult to get back into my groove so I continued on alone.

I slowed down a little between Mile 7 & 8. There was a hill and the wind really picked up. I spotted 3 ladies in the distance and my next goal was to catch them. I got a second wind at Miles 8 & 9.  The 3 ladies stopped to walk part of the hill so I was able to pass them along with another guy. My garmin hits mile 9 and I just kept telling myself only .3 to go. I entered the parking lot and pushed it. I was never so happy to see the finish!

• Mile 5 – 10:35
• Mile 6 – 10:08
• Mile 7 – 10:26
• Mile 8 – 10:15
• Mile 9 – 10:12
• Mile .28 – 9:06
• Race Results: 9.3 Miles 1:37:35 (10:29min/mile)

I wanted to run 10:30min/miles and I DID! I owe my strong finish to taking it easy the first half. Focusing on people in the distance was a great motivator as well. I am so incredibly proud of myself!

Did I mention that the weather was perfect? 30 degrees at the start and 35 degrees when I finished.

P.S. – I AM ON A TEAM FOR THE RAGNAR RELAY!! I met with a few of the guys on Saturday and they all seem great. We still need 2 members, 3 volunteers and a driver. We are making an attempt to get sponsors to help with the cost.