What better way to celebrate your 100th post then to blog about your very first race…EVER! Wow-I think I am on cloud 9. As you know this morning I completed the Kensington 8K. I was so nervous yesterday. This was my first race since I ran cross country in high school, and I really had no idea what to expect.
Yesterday I made this awesome veggie quesadilla for lunch.
It had a Dr. Praeger’s veggie burger, half a piece of cheese, zucchini, and mushrooms. It was killer. I swear these burgers are out of this world. For dinner I was not too hungry so I just went with some good old organic whole wheat penne. I knew I needed the carbs for the race.
I had everything laid out and ready to go. Garmin, iPod, water, clothes, running fuel, and bag to hold it all in. I was prepared.
I even made a playlist knowing exactly what song to put where according to when I would need the most motivation.
This morning I woke up feeling a little tired but overall pretty good. I did my leg lifts and push-ups to get my body going. I’m not one to eat before I run, but I knew I might need some fuel so I brought a banana for the trip. Chris and I headed out at 7am to the race sight.
First stop: Packet Pick up. I had to find my number.
369-that sounded like a good number to me.
This was exciting for me. Putting my number and d tag on. I was getting pumped.
With my t-shirt. I know-I’m cool!
Off to the finish line I went. I did some stretching and some deep thinking to get mentally prepared. There were WAY more people then I thought!
(I know you can’t tell from this picture-I got there WAY early!)
Ready…Set…Go! Off we went! I tried to go strong on the first mile, but not too strong to get tired. Before I knew it I was passing the 2 mile mark. WOW-that was fast. I was keeping up my pace, but it felt faster then normal to me. I had originally planned to do between an 8-8:30 min/mile. I looked down at my garmin and I was running a 7:14min/mile. I couldn’t believe it! I think I actually made a face to myself I was so surprised. But I didn’t feel too tired so I kept it up. Passing mile 3 my right shin started to kill me. I tried hard not to think about it and kept pushing through. The music I picked on my playlist was absolutely perfect. I knew exactly what song I needed at what time. On the third mile there was HILLS! Ok, I thought to myself “Lauren, you can do this, you love hills, come on you are almost done” This is where I past a few people. I new I needed to keep running strong because I was almost finished, but I didn’t want to give it all I had and die on the last mile. I was maintaining around an 8:30 mile going up the hills. At one point I looked down at the Garmin and it said 9min/mile so I pushed it into gear. I kept my stride strong and my breathing slow. On the the last mile. I pushed myself hard, but still not as hard as I could. I was pacing behind two women I had been behind the entire race. We were nearing the end, and I could see the Finish line. I started booking it. I was passing so many people. As soon as I felt good I just start sprinting as fast as I possibly could. I passed at least 5 people including the 2 ladies I had been pacing behind the entire time. I noticed the clock said 39:38, and I realized I needed to kick it into high gear to make it under 40 min. I literally threw myself into my run and booked the last .2miles. I had never felt myself run that fast before. I was so proud of myself! I finished the race in 39 minutes and 27 seconds. I was so thrilled. I had set a goal for myself of 45 minutes, and I had KILLED it!
I was so happy to just be finished that I completely forgot to stop my Garmin! DARN IT! But my average pace was a 7:54min/mile. I was very happy about that.
(I’m in the back-check out the face!)
I was so so happy with myself. I grabbed some of the goodies they had put out, but I was ready to head home.
I found out later my results from the race. I came in 121 out of 539. I had no idea there was actually 539 runners. That was way more then I thought.
- Distance: 5 miles (8K)
- Gun Time: 39:43.9
- Chip Time: 39:27.6
- Average Pace: 7.54/mile
- Place: 121/539
- Place Women’s Divison Age 20-29: 4/54
Chris and I stopped by my favorite coffee place on the way home so I could congratulate myself with my FIRST pumpkin latte of the season.
Pumpkin Chai Latte with skim to be exact. We went home, and I just HAD to put it in my new pumpkin mug.
I drank my wonderful latte with this waffle breakfast. So yum! Today is a typical fall day. Cool, crisp, and cloudy. It has been the perfect fall morning to a perfect fall day!
I have a big surprise brewing for my parents tonight. I can’t wait to tell you all about where I am sending them!!!
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Lauren!!!
Congratulations! We are SOOOO proud of you!!!
congratz sounds like it was a great race!