Our plan was this:
- Start off the first 3 miles at around an 11:00/mile pace up until the "big hill" at mile 2.7
- Survive the hill and get some water
- Push the pace for the last half of the race to about 10:00 - 10:30 as we felt capable
We all lined up about 50 yards away from the official start for the "parade" lap and got started right at 8:30 AM. (They weren't kidding about the race starting on time.) It is REALLY hard to not get caught up in the enthusiasm and the pace of the people around you. We were a little faster than we wanted to be right at the beginning but we reined it in and stayed within our planned pace (we were at 10:50ish).
My thoughts:
Start - Hey, that was kind of a long run to get us started but I guess that's cool because we all kind of spread out.
Mile 1 - How fast am I really going? I have GOT to get a Garmin. I can't tell how fast I am. I hope I don't go to fast. There is supposed to be a big hill at mile 2.7. Got to rein it in until then. After that, I can cut loose.
Mile 2 (ish) Where is the Mile 2 marker? Did we pass it? Was THAT the big hill? It was after the bridge. I sure hope my ankle doesn't act up if I step funny on something. I am feeling really good and not like I am pushing at all. If my Nike+ App is accurate - and I feel pretty sure it is not - then we are a tiny bit fast, but I am feeling really good.
Mile 3 - Oh, here is the hill they were talking about. It isn't so bad. After this I can cut loose.
Ouch! I just stepped funny on my weird foot. Oh, I hope I don't turn it again. That would really stink. (Steps weird 2 more times.)
Mile 4 - I was promised downhills after the big hill. This is a LOT of uphills. And they are steep. Short though. I keep passing that one dude with the camel back thing and the beard. He is a little strange looking. Oh look, that is the girl who passed us earlier. She is giving out. I am still feeling strong!
(Steps weird) F%&*!!! That hurt! Ok - good. Not hurting anymore. I really don't want another injury. It's all good.
Mile 5 - We must be getting close to the end of the trail. Oh, look, there are people up there on the paved section toward the end. I am really pushing it here but still feeling good. I didn't think I would be able to "race" but look at me. I am outside my comfort zone and I feel good!
Mile 6 - We are on the paved trail now. MORE uphill. Sheesh. (Secretly thankful for the hills that are Nickajack - don't tell anyone.) Oh look, there is a photographer. Try to look happy. Tell friend to be aware of photog. The end is near - just have to repeat the parade route and we are done. Last big hill. Friend starts to give a little kick. I start to give a little kick. We are right together. She gives a little more. I give a little more. We finish neck and neck. (which is really saying something since her legs are about 8 feet long and mine are ---- not.)
I am out of breath and want some water but I am feeling REALLY good. Feel good about our pace. Feel good about my effort - especially toward the end. Just generally, feel good!
Why I am happy about this race:
I got to run it at all.
I had tweaked my ankle on my weird foot and wasn't sure I would be able to run this trail race. It turned out that it just needed a day or two of TLC and was totally fine.
It was free.
You know how active.com sends you those special offers? This was one of them and i happened to be one of the first 5 people to respond and got to do this race for free!
I got to run it with my friend.
Cannot stress how much of a difference this made. My friend is a former competitive runner and is just generally competitive in life. Not in an ugly way, in a healthy way! Being with her and hearing her external thought process was really cool and got me in a place where I was going beyond my usually conservative outlook to see what I could do. That was awesome!
