Sunday was a *perfect* day for a race! Well, it started out perfect. For me it ended up being a bit warm. But all in all, wonderful! But...before the race on Sunday, I had to pick up my packet on Saturday.
Saturday morning I Metro'd in to packet pickup and after an initially long line outside to get in the line moved quickly and I was done in a timely manner. I bought a really cute t-shirt from Pacers at 20% off - it is a girlie blue t with a 26.2 on the front. I then got a cup of coffee and drank it in the little park across the street and watched the cutest squirrel ever being hand fed by three little girls from Indiana. He did not look the snowy winter effected him. At all.
After finishing my coffee I hopped back on Metro to ride up to Greenbelt where my cousin was to pick me up. From there we drove to Baltimore's Inner Harbor to meet her sister, my other cousin, for lunch. We ate at McCormick & Schmick and it was so nice we ate outside by the water. It was a really nice afternoon and the three of us got to catch up. Long over due visit!
My cousin drove me back to the Greenbelt Metro where I took three different colored train lines to get back to my car. It was very uneventful.
Sunday morning I woke up before the alarm. Yay! I was quiet as possible getting up and out so as not to disturb the rest of the house. OF course the cats got up and kept me company until it was time to leave. I got to Metro on time and while riding the train got a text from Carol who had just arrived and was going to scout out of meeting place. I arrived shortly there after and took care of the usual stuff, bag drop, etc. and found her. We did not have long to wait before getting in our Orange corral and then to the start of the race. It is really amazing how many people race with head phones. Even though the rules say not too. I don't like to train with them because I like to hear what is around me. And would never consider racing with them. Oh well. That's all I'll say.
I had worn a technical t-shirt over my running tank and decided to remove it before the start. This was a good thing. I was actually fairly comfortable standing in line. It would have been a big pain to remove it while running - the neck is snug and I have to remove my sunglasses and hat to get the shirt off. Anyway... I did not have a specific goal in mind, but figured I try to beat last years time of 1:39 (or so I though). In any case, beating 1:40 and running under 10 minute miles was a good goal. My Shamrock half goal had been 10:19's so, if I could do this it would be great.
I started off too fast (so what else is new) but felt pretty good for the first half. I just tried to keep going with the people around me. I did not spend time trying to dart around people to improve my position or anything. As I approached each water stop, which I did not need as I carried my own Heed, I slowed to a jog till I got past all the craziness. I felt like I was slowing overall as the race went on, but given that I started quick that made sense. The last two miles were pretty tough! I was trying to keep up with one person in particular, but in the end could not. The last part, the last half mile-ish, has a bit of uphill, boy was that a killer for me. But when I got to where I was really close I managed to pick up the pace anyway. I kept going faster till I crossed the finish line. It was painful at the end and my breathing really hurt. But I lived. I hit stop and my watch said 1:39:18 so I was pretty darned happy - I managed to run under 10's and thought I had gotten about the same time as last year...
I found Carol at the finish - she had a ROCK'n race AND had another PR! Yay Carol! Sadly, I did not have a Diet Coke for her this time. We chatted for a bit before heading out. I got on to Metro quickly and found a seat and part way into my ride was joined by a 10 year old kid traveling with his family back home after Spring Break. He was THE chattiest kid ever and so cool! How refreshing it was so have the conversation that I did. He was so polite - he introduced himself and shook my hand. Then when he left he said it was nice to meet me and thanked me for chatting. (Then he parents thanked me for listening!)
After I got home I looked up my 2009 results, which were 1:42:05. This year it had my finish time at 1:39:16 So I actually bettered last year's time by 2:49! Of course...I am still trying to beat my first year time from 2001 of 1:29:12. Maybe one day...
So...only six days till the Rumpass in Bumpass Sprint!
Happy Training!
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