Sunday, May 8, 2011

I raced with Joan Benoit Samuelson and WON!

It's true! Well okay she won the race, but I won my age group.  For about 10 whole yards I was ahead of an Olympic gold medalist.  Then she was right beside me and gone.  She's fast!  I guess that is why she is an Olympic gold medalist and I am not.

Race Recap

Woke up to an overcast morning with a 50/50 chance of rain.  forecast said it was supposed to be 48 degrees by the start of the race = PERFECT race temperature if you ask me.  My calf muscles were feeling a little tight so I decided to wear some compression socks. I also went with my new Lululemon running skirt.

I am so pumped up for this race!

Pre-race photo with my sis Jami




By the time my sis and I got to the race and found parking it was 15 minutes before gun time.  I really needed to use the port a potty, but the lines were long so I decided to give up and just race with a full bladder.  :( Mostly I knew it was nerves, but a little bit I really had to go! I weaved my way to the front of the line, which isn't something I have done before for the Women's Run, but I knew I was going to be at least a top twenty finisher so I felt daring.

The gun went off and there were a hundred little beeps that followed as everyone turned on their Garmins and we were off.  The first mile felt really great and I felt full of energy still as I hit the 1 mile marker.  I was pulling a pretty good pace and knew I couldn't maintain 6:46 minute miles for four more miles so I slowed down just a little.  I wanted to try to stay around a 6:55 pace.  The second mile went pretty fast, there was only 7 or 8 runners in front of me so I focused on the closest one and kept rolling along.  Close to the three mile mark I started to struggle a little as I realized I was about at the 5k mark and was running about 5k pace.  Could I keep it up?  The fourth mile was the slowest at 7:04 and then I started to get a second wind and was able to pick up the pace again.  Shortly after I was passed not once, but twice .  Aaack was this how the last mile was going to be?  Was I dying, had I gone out too fast and was now paying the price? As a struggled towards the finish line I pulled out the last bits of energy and pushed with everything I had.  It was good enough to pass two people and up 8th overall!
Tiki and I, she is a freaking awesome runner!
I didn't find out the official results until later and found out if I would have hung around or awards I would have had my picture taken with Joan.  Argh, darn my luck anyhow.  When I did find out my results I had a had time not crying a little.  I was a little emotional.  I didn't think I was going to win my age grou[ I was just hoping to place!  I have never even placed in my age group at it.  My official time was 35:01. So a new personal best by 4 seconds! YAY! Next race is a 5k in eight days,  can't wait!
My sis and I after the race!



My friend Sarah, so proud she ran the whole thing!

 So excited to read up on everyone else's race reports for the weekend!

7 comments:

  1. Thanks for the comment on my blog!

    Regarding what you said, though- it's no wonder you run alone- you are fast! :)

    Congrats on your AG win and PR!!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks for the comment and for becoming a follower... I'm a follower of your blog now!! :)

    Congrats on such an awesome race!! Oh, and also congrats on having some pretty serious looking arm muscles. I'm hoping to one day get my noodle-like arms to something a bit more toned, LOL

    ReplyDelete
  3. Nice run lady, 8th is really good, now what is with that 1 sec, My wife hates it when that happens, don't you?

    What time did Joan run?

    ReplyDelete
  4. You got some mighty big guns there. Congrats on your race. Great pace. I think your yellow shirt looks good with your red hair. Thanks for stoppping by and being one of my followers.

    Look forward to reading more of your blog to.

    ReplyDelete
  5. You ran fantastic!!! Wow! I love your race outfit and your cut arms!!! Conrats on you PR!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thank you so much for entering my giveaway and following my blog. Now I am following your blog yay!

    You are ripped my dear. Holy freaking cow I am so jealous and you are amazingly fast. Wow! I cannot wait to keep up with you and see how you do with that 5k this weekend. Congratulations on a great race you should be incredibly proud! :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Was this the run in Billings? I've never done it but have wanted to!

    ReplyDelete

Because I love hearing from you all!