We crossed the start line at 9:35 am so I am using my time minus 5 minutes. That gives me a finish time of of 1:10:31.
A whahoo is in orderd... Whahoo! I wasn't concentrating on the time the entire run. There was a bit of a last minute change with the event officials and they changed where the start line was so I am not sure exactly how accurate the markers for the 10K was, but my focus most of the time was getting to the second lap, the finish line and most importantly staying hydrated. I have said before I don't like to stop at the water stations, but when it is 80 plus degrees I made it a priority and I sipped that water even if it meant walking a bit (not going to lie, it was a welcomed break.) Plus I hate causing myself to choke, and it is inevitable.
I also didn't carry my phone for the first time in a while, I just knew that between the heat and the distance I would get fed up easily. I think this is a sign that the GPS watch is necessary.
I started out strong, the course was a loop around the campus once for the 5Kers and twice for the 10Kers I didn't think I would like it but once I (finally) made it to the second lap it was kind of nice knowing how much more there would be. They had us run past up the most annoying hill 3 times, I visited Stonehill back in early 20s when I knew people going to school there and I didn't remember steep hills, but I am here to tell you one exists.
What goes up must come down, so when I was coming down the hill to start my second lap I was able to pass this couple that had managed to run the entire thing up to that point. I spent most of the race up to the half way point behind them marveling at their ability to just keep going. Since I had already fallen short of "running" the whole thing I was truly impressed and a bit disappointed with myself. I couldn't help but comment on how great I thought they were. Although, then my social anxiety kicked in and I realized now that I made that comment I could potentially keep their pace for the rest of the race and did they really want me running with them? Would we become besties and find lots of things to talk about while we all commiserate over the heat? No, instead I made it more or less awkward and sped past them. I had a second wind knowing that there were less than 3 miles to go. That last lap felt pretty good!
I made that last/third effort to make it up the hill and and rounded the corner to the finish line where some very unflattering pictures were taken of me. I like to envision myself like this:
When in reality, I looked like this...
The best thing about crossing the finish line other than being done, was Yasso, the frozen yogurt bar people had a truck with FREE Samples. I love free things! I honed in on the coconut flavor and hobbled ran away. I was alone, Gavin had better things to do that day, like sleep, and didn't make the ride 45 minutes south to watch me jaunt past him 3 times in the course of an hour and not be able to have even one beer. They only had beer for runners, because giving beer to the most dehydrated group makes the most sense. I snagged a water bottle and all the snacks and juice I could carry and wondered back to my car. Second favorite freebie, Kind (maker of organic nutrition bars) makes the most amazing coconut almond bar! (I think you can tell I like coconut by now)
So with the goal to be more like the couple I saw I quickly signed up for 10K number 2. Here I come Bridge and Back 10K in my neighboring town of Salem, MA! This time even if Gavin doesn't want to get up for the 8am start time he can meet me at 9:30 for some breakfast.
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