Oktoberfest 10k

So I went into this race with mixed emotions. I was glad to be running a shorter distance race again, and have it actually feel like a race instead of me just running really far for someone else to measure and give me proof that I did it.

At the same time, I was also feeling discouraged because I was disappointed that after a summer full of running, I could barely get under a 9-minute pace in my practice runs. I just feel like a more experienced runner than that so I was a little frustrated to think I might be in the back of the pack.

Well the horn went off and I took off at an aggressive pace (as my speedy friend Sheena taught me; it's a race tactic I never expected I would love). The temperature was surprisingly low- in the low 40's at the start. It's supposed to be 75 degrees today so I showed up in my little shorts and (thankfully) a winter running top. So needless to say I was freezing. My body felt like a running robot, very tight. But I was surprised to see that there weren't a whole lot of people ahead of me. Maybe 25 at that point.

Through the first couple of miles, not many people passed me and I was getting excited. Maybe 10 guys passed me throughout the whole race (which not to be sexist, but it bothers me less if a guy passes me) and 6 girls that I counted (hehe).

The miles really seemed to fly by. Every time I passed a mile marker, I thought, "Already??" I wondered if the markers were wrong (a girl who ran with a Garmin later informed me that they were right on). During mile 3, a very fit middle-aged lady with a Top of Utah Marathon tshirt passed me. I thought, "Oh well, she looks like a really good runner." But after half a mile passed and I was still pretty close, I decided this lady was going to be my ticket. I was going to ride her coattails to the finish. And that's just what I did for about a mile. We chatted off and on about races, she was super nice.

Then, out of nowhere, when we hit mile marker 5, I just felt like I wasn't pushing as hard as I knew I could at that point. I pulled ahead and my new friend pulled with me for a while, but before I knew it she was dropping back. I felt a little rude, but this was a race right? I saw the "one mile to go" sign and I gave it all I had. I ended up passing 5 of the 6 girls who had passed me during the race in that last mile. I'll be honest, it felt great.

I finished in almost exactly 52 minutes, for an 8:22 pace. Totally happy. I had been wishing I could get to a 8:30, but expecting more like an 8:45, so yeah, 8:22 made my day.

I'm not sure of all the stats, but I know I finished 4th in my 25-29 female age group (rats, one place away from a medal), and 35th overall in the race. I don't know how many people were in the race... maybe 150-200? So yeah, it was a good race and I'm glad I squeezed one more in before the end of the season!

Test Run

I ran a 10k practice run today. And the results are:
57 minutes 15 seconds total for an average pace of 9:12.
Uhh... I'm not gonna complain. Nine-twelve is okay, but if I can't get under a 9 minute pace in the race, I'm not gonna lie, I will be disappointed.
To my credit, I did run on hills and grass throughout my run, and I also held back a bit so I can get a long run in tomorrow.
I have one more weekend to get in a practice run before the race in 2 weeks, so hopefully each week I'll get a little faster. Time will tell!

So much for no upcoming races

I just registered for the Oktoberfest 10k in Highland on October 17th. It's the first year for the race and it sounds pretty good (flat course and a raffle at the end- they're even giving away 2 pairs of Mizuno's in the prizes, nice!).
I don't have a lot of time to work on my speed, so I know I'm not gonna break my sub 8-minute pace I got in that 10 miler by any means, but I do hope I get under a 9-minute mile.
It will be fun to run a mid-distance race before the running season ends.
So... so much for running for the sake of running, I've got another race to get ready for! Fun times.

The little things

Today I didn't feel like running.
I'll admit it, not one ounce of me felt like putting on my running gear, loading up my jogging stroller into the van before preschool, and hitting the pavement.
But I did it anyway.
Just go through the motions, I thought. Just get it done.
The first five minutes of my run consisted of me debating if I should continue my pathetic pace or just forget about it and take a walk. Walk? I couldn't do it. Not when I set out to run. I am a runner, I thought, not a walker.
So one step after another, I was running and before I knew it I was in my rhythm and enjoying it.
How many days has that happened?
How many days like this have to pass for me to realize that I will never regret pushing through laziness and accomplishing a run that day, no matter how short or slow?
I ran for 30 minutes today.
My pace was less than commendable.
The numbers are nothing.
But the tenacity it takes on days like this to stick with your goals is something. Days like this lead to marathons.
It may seem silly, but today more than ever I felt like a runner. I didn't run because I ate a big burrito before bed and needed to burn calories. I didn't run because I have an upcoming race. I ran because I run. That's what I do, and today especially, I'm glad I did it.

Refreshed

It has been over a month since I last posted. In my last post, I had just completed the marathon and couldn't wait to race again. Then I realized I really should take a rest and let that shin fully heal. Well when nearly a month had passed and I had only run 3 or 4 times, I realized rest had been replaced with laziness.
THEN after reading Becca's (I could just say "your" since I think you're the only one who really reads this Becca) post about running with the jogging stroller while Teya was in preschool, I knew that could work for me too- I had a plan and I had hope for regular running again, even with our new hectic schedule of Justin working late hours all the time and me working, too.
So I bought this jogging stroller used on the classifieds for $30:

It's actually a REALLY nice jogging stroller (Dreamer Design- they run about $300 new) and it's in great shape so I totally scored. It is really tall so it makes it easier to push and it's got great shocks on it.
So this week I ran while Kenz was in preschool and did a nice-n-easy 8 miler this morning. I'm doing about 9 minute miles currently and it feels good- not a real competitive pace, but it feels good to just run the pace I feel like running and not necessarily be training for anything. It feels so great to be back in the swing of things, my body is happy again.

It's over.

Just kidding, it has really only just begun. All these months of training have involved a lot of excitement and disappointment, joy and pain, confidence and doubt. Really, it has been quite the roller coaster getting ready for marathon number one. And now that it's over, I don't really want it to be. I miss the roller coaster, I guess? No, it's not that. I just love races. I want more, I need more... I'm totally addicted.
I didn't expect this. I kept thinking, "Just gotta make it through the marathon and then I'm not gonna run for MONTHS!"
No way, Jose. As it turns out, I can't wait to get running again. What have I been doing all week? Looking up races. There's a 5k this weekend down the street. Too early? Probably. But I really want to do it, despite all my aches and pains. There's a half marathon that looks really tough next month. Want to do that, too. Want to run the St. George marathon if I can buy someone's spot... yup, I've got race fever.
So anyway- I started this blog to document my marathon training. And it's all there. But I want to keep on blogging about my running experiences. So I will keep updates of my races here, and maybe anything interesting I stumble across with running. So yeah, off I go...

Park City Marathon

Okay I did it! See here.

I will post some more thoughts here soon, but as for now, I need a nap. :)