I run therefore, I am!

I went up to Daybreak Lake and met Michelle for a 7 mile run. We did a 7:45 average and pushed her a bit hard on the up hill. It was such a great morning run! I felt really good. I hope this is a good sign for Boston. 

Went down to Lifetime  and met Michelle and did a 6 mile loop. Starting to feel good out in the mornings! 

Ok so Im just going to get to the nitty gritty. I started the race with Jeff Shadley and Steve Anderson. We agreed to take it very conservatively the first half and I really felt that we stuck to the plan. I dedicated the first 5-5k times to my family members. This kept my head in a 5k at a time instead of worrying about my mile splits. My first 5k was dedicated to Sarah, My second to Misty, Third to Brookie, 4th or 20k to Bailey, and my last 5k got me to the 25k mark for Boston.  This got me through a very hot race start of 80 degrees and I felt it kept my mind off miles as they were a dragging! I took a cup of gatorade then water then another water to drink partly and the rest to dump over my head. It felt good and kept me moving. I lost Jeff about mile 8 and could see him for the next several miles. I stopped at mile 11 for a potty break and then got at it again. I was very overheated when I stopped.  I got back into a rythm of high 6 pace that seemed to work for me. I had no intention of pushing harder know the Newton hills were coming. I did ok with the first few hills after mile 16 and then noticed they were really dragging me down but could catch up to those around me on the down.  I had a hard time at mile 19 and they were playing Tonight We ARE YOUNG by Fun and I started singing it out loud and made my spirits stronger into totally forgetting about the hills. It totally worked because I got through Heartbreak hill without even knowing! Im serious, that usually gets in my head but after I got going down the back side I noticed the sign that said Newton is All In! I thought, how is that possible I missed it. Mile 23 I walked while drinking and tried to get back into it and Steve passed me. So I worked on catching back up to him and I was side by side at mile 24. We got to another water station and I slowed down to make sure I drank and when I did that was it! my legs tightened up but not horrible. I got back to a 7:30 pace and felt ok then 25 came and right before the bridge I froze up. litterally my muscles were like charlie horses. I couldnt move I tried stretching, it made it worse. I walked and had the crowd push me to a sort of shuffle. I was flicking my right leg around to get it to move. I finally had the down hill of the bridge to help me go and got up it and my legs were severely sore. I made it to the finish and had to get medical help. I was really dehydrated and had cramping and when they took my temperature I was 102. They made me stay and drink their nasty gatorade recovery drink. I think that is the nastiest stuff they could come out with. They worked me over and released me and I was able to walk . This is the hottest in Boston History. Im glad I took part and tried my best to help the team. I think I for sure had a 2:45 in me easy with nicer temps. Our team took 4th overall out of 67 teams. 8:43 (first 3 runners in on our team) Im sorry to my team for a poor performance but glad to have another Boston in.