I thought by running the full on Saturday my family would want to back out of our traditional Onion Days race, because I wouldn't be able to race like I want to. But, all the kids were ready to go and even David with his leg brace on wanted to go! I guess I've converted them. Waking up at 5AM on a holiday to run...we're all crazy! Even my 6 year old said as we drove out of the neighborhood "we're the only ones out here!" My husband replied "yup. eveyone else knows that you should sleep in on a holiday!" He loves us :)
Got everyone numbered and ready for the race. Next year, I think I'm going to make Lauren run the 10K. She could do it if we trained for it. Yup. 10K next year.
With Pocatello on my legs I had no intention of placing. I would run what I could, as fast as my legs would let me, but c'mon. I had a marathon on them! But, I found out Jen was running the 5K and no one else I knew that was speedy from UT county was there. Where was everyone?!? Rachelle was there, but she is a young'un and I knew she would win anyway, so I wasn't concerned :) I figured I'd give it my all and just see what happened.
I waved to my family as I passed them as the 10K got started. Plugged into my ipod and just went for it. Lots of people passed me as I hobbled into the first mile. A warm-up might've been a good idea, but too late now. About a half mile in I was finally able to start moving. There were 3 ladies I could set my sights on to catch. I picked the one furthest ahead. She wasn't the fastest though, so I'd caught her and one other by mile 2, but that last one was a bugger to catch. Finally just before mile 3 I got tired of running 5 feet behind her and decided if I gave it one good surge I could pass her for good. I sprinted it out for 50 yds and put about 10 feet between us. She later said "yeah, and you came out of nowhere!" :) After the half way, you start your uphill trudge. Mile 3-4 is fairly flat and I felt like I was keeping pace with those ahead of me and maybe even pulling some in. Finally feeling the surge. BUT, then the hills hit.
The last lady I'd caught was being paced by a guy and she would be behind me and I'd see him just to my left. Dang it. Every hill they'd catch me, then I'd have to push on the flats to put the distance between us back. I thought occassionally about just letting her have it, but I stayed mentally strong. I didn't give up. Despite the snot and spit all over my face, I kept running and pushing myself trying to get that monkey (Pocatello marathon) off my back!
The last straight away (mile 5 marker) I could feel it. I was fading, but just kept doing what I could. My ipod and my Eminem motivation I'd been replaying for the last 2+ miles died. Crap. But, I figured I needed to hear the lady behind me coming anyway. She did catch up to me again, but I was able to surge a bit to put some distance between us. I knew I wouldn't have much more to sprint to the finish, so I had to do it now.
2 more turns and I was home free to the finish. I'm really glad no one was there to take pictures :) SO glad. I can't spit for the life of me or farmer blow. So, sometimes it just has to drip. Running is such a glamorous sport! I saw the clock as I came in say 41:21...HA! I knew I didn't run a 10K PR. I mean, I was pushing, but not that fast. I figured it was the 5K time that was a little slower. I was right. I looked at my garmin and I was 45:56. Well, certainly not a PR for the course, but a 7:25 average for a 10K push 2 days after a full?!? I'll take it.
TT: 45:56 splits: 7:26, 7:16, 7:13, 7:13, 7:48, 7:39, 7:04 (last .2) - can you tell where the hills are?!?
Waiting in line for the runner cards I chatted with the lady that came in after me. She was 42, so we had no competition for AG. Good...and SHE asked me how old I was, because she was worried. I'm glad I pushed and didn't have to :) She also said only 5 women were in front of us. Wow. I was surprised there were so few. Slim pickin's today at Onion Days. Then, I got my card. 6th overall and 1st in my AG. WHAT?!? I've run this course almost 3 minutes faster and gotten 4th in my AG. What the heck. 1st?!? Yeah, it all really does depend on who shows up. I was proud to take my silver dollar though. I feel like I earned it and pushed hard!
Lauren did a great job and ran what she normally does in a 5K (32:XX) She isn't the fastest thing around and doesn't really like running, but she keeps at it and can just keep going. I think she'd enjoy more endurance running than speed. Kind of like her mother. When she came up to me at the finish while I was waiting for my card, the lady that I was talking to asked "Is this your little sister?" "yes. yes she is. I'm 22 and she is 12" I love that people believe me and and I can get away with being 22! Lauren turned me in and told the truth though. Stinker :) Then the lady realized I had just told her I was 33. See?!? I can even tell the truth and people think I'm still 22. Ahhh, I loved it.
Craig and the boys had a rough start to their race. Nathan (6) got stung by a bee just as the race started. So, they lost a minute as dad took care of him and asked if they still wanted to do the race. Good for dad for remembering we'd forked out a ton of money to do this and they might as well get it done. So, he had 3 boys in the stroller for a while. GO CRAIG! He caught up to the sweeper vehicle and around 3/4 mile in Nathan got out and started running. David with his leg brace on (can't bend his knee due to stitches a couple weeks ago) had kind of a free pass to ride in the stroller and Adam (3) doesn't know any different although he was registered! David ended up running/limping in the last half mile and they all finished around 37:00 which for Craig is super fast! He is usually around 45:00 and I finish the 10K before him. He is awfully sore now, but I'm sure proud of him :) He rocked it like a bad A runner dad!!
We stayed for awards and raffle. It was great to see Jen and Rachelle get their overall and Rachelle's friend Julia took 2nd in her AG too. My little Adam wanted a medal so bad it hurt. When I took him with me to get my silver dollar he wasn't happy. He wanted the medal around his neck. Kids! Oy Vey. I won a Nathan water/fuel belt in the raffle. I've never had one, but I guess I'll try it now! $50 worth of free stuff...sure. Why not?!?
We then went to the parade, I got to see Marion for a minute at her house and the long, small town parade never disappoints. We all went home tired and happy. Another fun labor day in the books!
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