Knights of Columbus Running Classic 10K Recap

On Saturday morning I had a huge NSV...

I completed my first 10K!

Source

When I signed up for the race it described the course as "challenging" with rolling hills. I didn't think much of it. I can handle it, right? The description didn't lie. The course was the hardest I've ever run yet.

I arose at 5:50 am on Saturday morning shaking my head and realized I must be a runner. Who else gets up before the sun to go run 6.2 miles on a holiday weekend for fun? Me.

I went about my normal routine getting ready and stretching. I dragged my dear husband out of bed and we set off. The weather was about 72 degrees and 80% humidity when we arrived. I felt gross but I was too excited and nervous to care much. The race was hosted on the grounds of a monastery and it was absolutely beautiful. I enjoyed stretching and watching the sun rise over the hills that I was about to take on. I wish I took pictures!

Before I knew it I kissed my husband goodbye, and went to line up with the other runners. One of the monks read us a prayer before we set out, which, to this day, is my favorite prayer that follows me throughout my life:

"May the Lord bless you, and keep you;
May the Lord make His face shine on you,
And be gracious to you;
May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace."

The gun sounded and we were off! There were about 350 people overall with the 10K and 5K starting at the same time. We ran down to the beginning of the monastery grounds and bid the 5K runners luck as they turned left and the 10K runners turned right. At first the course was rather flat with some small hills. There were jugglers running the 10K with us! I talked to the one juggler for the first 3 miles and then he fell back.

The worst of the hills really set in from mile 3 through the end. I had to take a few short walk breaks since my legs were burning. At mile 4 I was beginning to question if I could do this. The sun was up and HOT. I kept repeating to myself that I'd be at the water station in 10 minutes (even though in reality I knew it would be more like 12).

The volunteers at the last water station gave me 2 cups of water and I accepted them graciously. I soothed my parched throat and carried on. When I wanted to quit on the second to last hill, a beautiful yellow butterfly flew in front of me. I decided to run with the butterfly until it left me. I entered the grounds walking and ready to be done. I grudgingly started to run again since my pride wouldn't let me finish the race walking.

Joe was at the middle of the last hill cheering me on along with some other runners who finished earlier. I thanked them and kept trudging forward. As I was nearing the finish line, the one volunteer told me if I could to bust out some dance moves across the finish. I just laughed at him.

I came in to "Party Rock Anthem" with a big smile on my face. A volunteer handed me a race magazine with future area races, and I made a bee line for the ice chest with bottled water. I chugged half of it and dumped the other half over my head because I felt like I was on fire! I found the watermelon and was eating two slices simultaneously when the hubby appeared with a cherry sno-cone. Seriously, he's the best. I wanted to hug him, but he wouldn't have any of that. I was so sweaty.

They were doing random giveaways and I won a $15 gift card for Road ID! After I received my prize, we lined up for BBQ. I really wasn't feel great, but I grabbed a piece of chicken and a small scoop of pasta salad. Then I went back for a second and third slice of watermelon as well as another sno-cone. I was shaking so bad, I flung some chicken in the grass for the birds to enjoy. The super humidity really did a number on me. Would I do it again? Absolutely.

I learned a lot about myself in this race. I'm not a quitter. I'm pretty darn strong. Even though I'm a slow runner, I still had just as much fun as the winners. I met some really cool people. I came in with a respectable time of 1:16:26 with an average pace of 12:20. One minute faster than my practice runs. And I'm happy with that.

The past two days have been very painful. I had never run that steep of hills and that many for that long. My ankles to my calves feel like a knife is being dragged through them every time I walk. Sunday I waddled around like a penguin. Today I managed to do some cross training on the recumbent bike, some squats, lunges, push ups, yoga stuff, and planks. Then I treated myself to a bubble bath and a pedicure. I can walk normally again, but it is mildly painful.

Tomorrow I'm going to try and get out for a run in the morning. I have to restart my half marathon training. Also, I mail my entry form for the Run for the Diamonds tomorrow!! I can't believe I'm actually doing it! Nine miles seems scary now just as 6.2 did a few months ago, but I really think I can do it. Just another 5K on top of a 10K, right? The race is my stretch goal for 2013. Now it's time to buckle down and lose some weight so I can get a little faster and train hard so I can go a little farther!

Anyone race this weekend? What did you do this Labor Day weekend?