[S]he Conquers Who Endures

Rainy and windy. 2.5 mile warmup at 9:18 min/mi pace and 3 mile cool down at 9:15 min/mi pace. 

This race was something else. I woke up and my head cold was pretty bad - a lot of head congestion, but luckily none in my chest. I knew it would be rainy and debated about skipping the race rest up. I decided I was not sick enough for that. Because of the weather and my cold, I had to let go of pressure to PR. The race was north on the lakefront with a 14 MPH tailwind that would turn into a tailwind coming back. My first mile was sub 7, whoops! Second mile around 7 flat, feeling pretty good. Dropped a guy that was hanging onto me around mile 2.5. Then, heading back, bam! Got slammed with that headwind. Just focused on fighting through. Just when I felt like I didn't have anymore steam, then the 10k met up with the 5k walkers. Great, now I have to run around people to boot! Kept pushing through and whittling away the mileage. Less than a mile left, the wind was just too much and I couldn't breath - my congestion was draining into my throat. Alas, I spot a guy running the 10k who passed me around mile 2. He was wearing a Boston marathon running jacket. At that point I decided I can't give up. I kept his jacket in sight and focus on my long-term goal...to earn that jacket. I hung on long enough and we rounded the corner picking up speed. With 100 m left, I decided to finish strong. Kicked past him as he tells me "take it". Love these kind of runners! PR-ed, by 2 seconds. Yeah, not a lot but considering the conditions and my training schedule (ran 18 miles at 8:00 min/mi pace Sunday, PR-ed in trackwork Thursday), I'd say that was a pretty amazing time. :) I will check that workout off my calendar with relish.