I got down to veterans park right as registration opened. I have this obsession with being super early every where i go. I got my number, #233, pinned it to my shirt and went to find an isolated area to calm my nerves and stretch out. Im not typically a nervous person, especially for a competition that frankly, means nothing, but this day, i was. I am the type of person who puts grandiose expectations on myself, so i was feeling the pressure. As i warmed up, i started to observe the other runners arriving. My thoughts were racing, "that woman looks like she works out" "her legs are so muscular, she must be a good runner" things along those lines. I didnt have much to worry about though, as i finished pretty well ranked.
The race started a few minutes late, and i did my best to keep my mind from racing. I placed myself at the front of the starting line, i knew thats where my best chance was to find someone to pace myself with. The race started off great, i had my techno music blaring and was feeling good. My mind just couldnt shake my nerves though, i was over thinking and psyching myself out. Come mile 4 i was starting to have self doubt and was yelling at myself for signing up to run a 10k. Mile 4 is where i lost my lead. I gave up for a few minutes. When i checked my Nike+ to see how i did on time for each mile, my defeat and bad attitude were noticeable at mile 4 (my slowest mile). Once i hit the next water check, i realized i was almost done. A mile and a half to go. I started to pick up my pace and decided i wouldnt let another person pass me. In fact, i was going to start to pass up those who had slipped by me! Rounding onto the last stretch, the grass was lined with people cheering the runners on. They have no idea who i am, but here they are cheering for me and encouraging me. I couldnt help but smile and feel an extra boost of energy and motivation. I had a little over half a mile left, but i could see the finish line. I picked up speed and sprinted the rest of the way. I did pass another runner and that was a boost to my confidence.
Overall, i had a really enjoyable experience running the 10K and i do plan to sign up for it again next year. Next time, howerver, i plan to claim first place and run a faster time. I held a pace of 7'37 per mile and finished in 47:17 Im not ecstatic with that time, but im not going to lose any sleep over it either. I can make excuses as to why i ran slow, such as i ran 6.05 in 42 min 2 days prior, i smoke, i didnt fuel my body correctly, but excuses mean nothing. Point blank, thats the time i ran and nothing can be changed about it. I just have to take better care of myself prior to my next race, and quitting smoking would help too. I finished 2nd in my age division, was the 4th woman to finish, and overall i placed 13th out of 96. I guess i did okay. The winner ran in 38:27 holding a pace of 6'12. i had a chance to speak to him afterwards and he told me 3 years ago he ran a time of 47, so there's hope for me! My goal was to go 43 but obviously that didnt happen. Until my next race, ill just keep logging the miles and pushing myself to the extreme, because I of course know how to do nothing in moderation :)
Until next time, keep on keeping on
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