It is 11:30 pm and this is the first chance I have had today to sit at the computer. After the race we had our ward day camp and then a busy night of bathing the dirtiest kids ever, grocery shopping and of course a hair appointment. (VANITY!) Now on to the report: Marci and I got up early at 4:15 to get ready, down to the park, pick up the packet and then on the bus. We rode up with Michelle L and her husband and it was great to finally meet her. Once our bus made it to the top, we hopped off and ran a short warm up to the start. I met up with Kim and donned our purple hair for the day. Mile 1: I started with Michelle N and Julie. The started a little fast for me but I never felt like I could get my rhythm, so I back off a little at the one mile mark. Mile 2: uneventful Mile 3: My legs are already starting to feel tired - too many tough workouts and not enough taper. Mile 4: I can see Dean ahead and I try to catch him - it takes me about half a mile and I finally do and we ran together for about .25 and then I slowed back down a little. He and I leap frogged each other until mile 10 and then he was ahead the rest of the way. Mile 5: Uneventful Mile 6: More of the same Mile 7: Still feeling okay, legs are the same Mile 8: This is where you have the uphill out of the canyon to start the trail. As I pushed up the hill I could feel my heart race and I had a difficult time regaining control - A mental meltdown is on the verge of starting Mile 9: I ran into Brent and he calmed me down and we ran together for a few minutes. I need the chatting and calming influence he provides. THANK YOU! Mile 10: I saw Darci and Sarah (two girls I grew up with) at the water stop waiting for Darci's husband. It was great to have someone cheer for me. Mile11: I am telling myself, two miles to go - you can do this, but I am slowing and sooo tired. I walked through the water stop extra long. Mile 12: I told myself 1 mil to go you can do this, but the first half was soo long. Once I got to the half way point, I was okay, but I have never come so close to "hitting the wall" as I did there. Mile 13: One tenth to go, we turn on the grass and I almost tripped so I hesitated even trying to push with what little energy I could muster and Kelli came up from behind and finished with me. It was great to chat with everyone afterwards and there were so many who had great races - CONGRATULATIONS! I am really glad I have had some time to reflect before typing this race report. I am very happy with my time, it is a PR and I know that I gave it everything I had today. That said, it was a day filled with lessons: 1. Pace: I need to begin wearing a watch when I race and stick to my pace. I have always run by feel but as I improve and my goals change from a "good time" and "a new pr" to time specific I need to be better at pacing myself. My start was rough today and I do not think that this helped. 2. Taper: I really did not taper for this race and I could tell right away in my legs. It ended up becoming a good training run for dealing with fatigue. If I want to race strong, I need a better taper. 3. Fuel: I have eaten horribly all week and really did not get an good solid food yesterday. I was a hectic, stressful day and my eating suffered and carried over to my performance today. Lessons Learned! Ave Pace 7:40 Happy Running!
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