Probably my best race ever :) More details later, but this is the biggest race I ever won! I felt really strong, and actually ran negative splits. I took the lead at mile 4ish and ran out of fear for the next 5.3, picking up the pace just because I was scared of getting caught. Long version (more for me to look back on later, don't feel like you need to read it!!): When Jason and I arrived at the race, I picked out the woman I thought was going to win. So when the race started I kind of went with her and her friend for the first mile. She said she was starting easy and we ended up running around a 6:52, which got me a little worried. I was only aiming to run 7:30s for a 1:10. But I decided to stay with them for as long as I could... why not. We stayed pretty much on that pace, but by almost four miles I saw her form start to go. So I went for it. When I passed her the fear came and I got really freaked out. I was laughing at myself because I new I went out way too fast, but once again, why not see how long I can hold it. The course was a figure 8, so I new I would be passing the start and seeing Jason at around 4.5. I was so excited for him to see me in first even though I didn't think I could hold it. I gave him my gloves and saw he was kind of freaked out too (since he knew I was out way faster than expected). I asked him how far back she was and he just yelled at me to go run. Honestly, I couldn't even breathe once I passed him because of the overwhelming emotions, and had to tell myself to get control of my body. So really the next half consisted of me picking up the pace due to fear (dropped to 6:35s). It felt fast, but great. I made sure to enjoy myself as well though, yelling for all the runners and joking around with the volunteers. I had no idea if I could keep it, but when I got to the 8 mile mark I knew I was home free, and I couldn't see any women behind me which was awesome. Since it was a figure 8 the other runners were running in the opposite direction and cheering for me all kinds of encouraging words, and of course being the talker that I am I thanked every one of them or told them good job as well. I love that part of running. I finished feeling really strong, which makes me feel like I can beat this time one day, it just wouldn't be as fun :) I was also 11th overall, which was something else I was really proud of. One of the proudest races of my life, definitely my best since college. Then I ate three chocolate chip cookies and some wafer cookies. Yum!! After the race the woman I picked out in the beginning saw me standing next to Jason's car with the South Carolina tags and she jokingly yelled "Go back to South Carolina!" I loved it! Oh, and one guy finished the race on crutches. Crazy. I am now getting really excited for my marathon (but not so much for my twenty miler!). | 