D.A.R.E. to Run for BackStoppers 10K

This Saturday my husband and I did our second 10K race.  Don't let the sunshine filled pictures fool you it was FREEZING - in the low 30s during the race. The 10K was held in conjunction with a 5K.  As we left the start area, the racers split onto separate courses.  The 5Kers turned and went under the largest flag I have ever seen (in person).  Love those ladder trucks! The 10Kers went straight. I was a little nervous about wind being a factor when I realized that we would be headed north on the way back. Turns out I was quite comfortable with the temperature during the race...before and after was another story.

The 10K course went 3.1 miles to a turnaround and then back the same 3.1 miles. The course was about 3/4 of a mile in town and then out into the country.

One thing I love about an out and back course is that I have a chance to see my husband race.  Even if it is only for a brief moment and I still have miles to travel, it makes me happy to see how strong he is running. I also enjoy cheering on the other runners as they are headed back.  I tried to have a word of encouragement for everyone who passed me...and some had some words of encouragement or a high five for me. 

My husband is in the green - currently racing 7th.

By the time I made the turn around there was no one within catching distance. I usually like to pick someone to catch to keep my pace strong. However, it was pretty much 3 miles of me and the open road (and a random firetruck).

I had a bit of a freak out moment the night before the race because I knew it was going to be super cold and I am not prepared for cold weather racing. (I will be next time.)  Thankfully my challenge group talked me off the ledge and gave me some good suggestions.  Desiree at Finding the Skinny Geek Within suggested cheap gloves that I could just ditch if my hands got too warm.  I did wear gloves for awhile and then stuffed them in my pockets.  Evidently, someone took Skinny Geek's advice...the second glove was just a few feet farther down the road. I wore two pairs of cotton capri pants and a long sleeved shirt with a pullover. Maybe it is time to shop for cold weather gear.

I would say this was the most emotionally challenging race for me to date.  There were points in the race when I could do nothing but watch my shoes and put one foot in front of the other.  I didn't want to look ahead to see how far it was to the next turn or to see endless road before me. It was hard to tell myself I could make it if I actually saw how far I had to go.  I was so thirsty and frustrated by the unavailability of water. I didn't drink at the mile 1 or mile 2 water stations because I wasn't ready.  I never dreamed they wouldn't have a water station at the half way point and that the mile 4 water station would be out of water. It was tough emotionally to keep telling myself one more mile until I could get a drink and then find none. 

By the time I found a stocked water station I was about a mile from the finish. I could barely drink because the water was so cold and I was breathing so hard.  It was hard to slow my breathing down to safely swallow the water.  I carried the cup for a couple blocks and tried to sip at it.  A few blocks from the finish my husband came back to meet me.  I was so happy to see him, but when I started to talk to him while still walking I got more upset about the race and had even more trouble catching my breath. I felt terrible, but I had to ask him to run back to the finish line, so I wouldn't try to talk and could just concentrate on keeping up my pace and finishing.  Thankfully, the little bit of water started to help and I calmed down the last block or so.  Nobody had to see me crying at the finish line :)  Actually I am pretty sure the tears were from the cold and wind, right? 

I was super excited that Tiina of One Crazy Penguin came out to cheer for us.  She is an amazing athlete. In October, she completed her first Half Ironman - 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike and 13.1 mile run.  You can read her race report here. One unexpected surprise of blogging is the fun inspiring people I have met.  It was great to meet one of them in person.  We are looking forward to cheering her on at an upcoming race. It was freezing cold and she could not have been more kind and gracious about waiting almost an hour and a half for me to finish.  Thank you, Tiina!

Tiina brought her sweet puppies, Koda (left) and Orion (right). Hopefully, we can set up a play date with Millie...she would love them :)

I was very happy with my time 1:27:36.  And I beat 2 people - bonus :) I love the stats from my Garmin watch.  I was happy to see that even though I struggled (mostly emotionally) the last few miles I kept my pace very consistent.  And I still can't believe I can walk a mile in 13 1/2 minutes!!

Splits	Time	Cumulative Time		Distance
1	13:34	13:34		1.00
2	14:06	27:40		1.00
3	13:43	41:24		1.00
4	13:59	55:23		1.00
5	14:03	1:09:26		1.00
6	14:02	1:23:28		1.00
7	4:07.5	1:27:36		0.30
Summary	1:27:36	1:27:36		6.30	13:54	Average Pace

My husband finished in 50:11 and earned 1st place in his age group (6th place overall).  I am SO proud of him!!! I am definitely going to have to make a plan to display his medals. My husband also won an attendance prize - $25 restaurant gift certificate :)

November 1, 2014

We were both thrilled to set new PRs.  A little reminder what a difference 5 months have made.  In June  - Husband 1:05:19 (he was 15 minutes faster this time) and very surprised he was able to run the whole way.  Me - 1:33:12 (I was almost 6 minutes faster this time).  I don't know my husband's weight difference, but I weighed 22.2 pounds less than I did on our last 10K race day :) 

June 14, 2014

Our long cold day ended with some high school playoff football.  My nephew's team made the playoffs for the first time in 11 years.  Our team won :)

The evening had a fun NSV for me.  I wore a pair of fleece lounge pants under my jeans - the jeans formerly known as "my way too tight to zip up, much less wear in public" jeans. I actually had plenty of room to wear fleece pants under them :) Believe me I was super grateful for that extra layer!