Monday, February 28, 2011

Wow! That's Me!

This post was going to be titled 'on point', but naming the run before it happens is something I will not do again. Much of the 10k yesterday elicited the response of, "Wow! That's me!"...

I arrived too early, which meant I spent a lot of time listening to the other folks there. The race was limited to 100 participants, for the 5k and 10k combined. The people around me were in phenomenal shape, and I quickly realized I might very well come in last. As I was willing myself to believe that the only people coming in last were the ones that weren't there running with me AND that I wasn't actually competing with anyone, my ears started to pick up on the conversation behind me. Let's just say the little bit of confidence I had been mustering was crushed when I heard, " Back when I started running marathons in '97". Wow! That's me! Running with the big kids. Needless to say, I immediately got up and asked the volunteers how long people would be staffing the trail, just to be sure that I made it back. Laugh, if you must, BUT my husband took this picture while he walked around during the race:
Yes friends, that is a pygmy rattlesnake as in VENUMOUS pygmy rattlesnake.
What was I wearing for this adventure, you ask? I had on Nike's Pro Combat sports bra; at least my bra was ready for this. I picked up a pair of Reebok running shorts while I was out getting my Nike Featherlight Dri-Fit hat. The shorts would be good for a shorter run, but the hat did a great job of keeping me drier and cooler. My shirt was a moisture wicking shirt I bought from Target a few years ago, and it still does its job. With my Feetsies socks and my great shoes I was well geared.
A few squirts of bug spray, some sunblock for good measure and I was on my way!
I had prepared myself for the 6.2 miles and the heat, but I had failed to take into account the sand and the tree stumps. Thankfully I had brought my iPod so I turned it on and did my best to get lost in the music. Finally, I found a groove and sailed along. My best guess is that I maintained a 4.5mph or 5.0mph pace for a few miles. The tree canopy thickened and I enjoyed the peekaboo views of the ocean through trees and the respit that the shade provided. Wow! That's me!
And then I started to run out of steam. I checked my watch and saw that I was coming up on an hour, so I knew I was getting close to the end. I slowed my pace and paid closer attention to my breathing. I knew I was going slow, but I started to settle into this pace knowing that I might be able to finish without walking any of the miles. It was then that I was passed by a woman, probably in her mid-50's. Normally this wouldn't bother me since I really am out there just for me. Yet, in this case it was the way in which she passed me that sent my confidence sailing over a tree root and landing face first in the dirt. She walked by me. Yes, that's right - she walked by me. Granted, she was walking fast and I was running slow, but she still WALKED past me.
It got ugly after that. A volunteer told me there was just one mile left. Just?! I did the only thing I could do at that point, which was to jeopardize my hearing as an old lady for the sake of finishing the last mile at a run. I found, 'Tubthumping', and turned it up loud enough to drown out my labored breathing. My Dad used to consider that our anthem of sorts and there wasn't much else that I needed at that moment. Well, it turns out I desperately needed to eat the Shot Bloks I had brought, but I wasn't exactly employing my best judgement.

1 hour 27 minutes and 17 seconds after starting I crossed the finish line, without breaking once to walk!
Wow! That's me!

Ok, so that recaps the big details of the race itself. I learned a lot from this race, but it's time to walk the dogs so the lessons of the race will have to wait for my next post.

16 comments:

  1. Great job! I know you felt discouraged, but you ran the entire time and finished strong. There are tons of people who couldn't or wouldn't even attempt a 10k and you rocked it, even when you felt discouraged at the end!

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  2. Yeah Katie!! Good for you for running the whole race and talking yourself into staying with it. :)

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  3. Yay! Good job Katie! I've really enjoyed taking this journey with you so far. You make me think running is something that I may be able to do someday too....maybe. :) Also, since I normally read your posts on my Google Reader and don't see your layout, I want to say I really like the simplicity and calming shade of green.

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  4. Wow, good for you! You should be really proud of yourself for finishing strong. I had a pregnant person a a guy pushing a jogging stroller pass me during my first 10K. It was pretty humiliating.

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  5. Oh, Jen! I totally feel you on that one!
    Thanks everyone for the kind words! After I cooled down and actually ate some food I felt much better about my 10k. I was even able to laugh at being passed by a walker.
    Angie - you could totally run! The key is to start off slowly. The best is to start by alternating between walking and running - so (for example) 60 minutes of running followed by 30 seconds of walking. You keep doing that and slowly increasing the amount of time you spend running and decreasing the time you spend walking.

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  6. Katie, yes, my Evo's are some of my shoes. They are minimalist shoes that are flat with no arch support. I keep track of what I wear so in case I'm injured I can look back and see if it had something to do with my shoes. It's also a great way to track my milage in certain shoes. You can check them out here: http://www.terraplana.com/barefoot/

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  7. Wow, Katie!! Fantastic job! It's especially amazing when you think of how few people could make 10K at all, let along running it. I admire your tenacity and strength!

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  8. Wow! Congrats on running the whole way! I'm still far too attached to my walk breaks, lol.

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  9. Yay for finishing! That pygmy rattlesnake is a bit terrifying, though.

    Thanks for stopping by my site!

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  10. Thanks! It was not easy, but I am glad that I pushed through. I know it was really, really hard, but I also know that I wasn't pushing it too far. Granted, my long run this weekend won't be 6.4 or even 6.2 miles, but it I will shoot for 6 miles. I wouldn't have been trying 6 miles this weekend if it weren't for the 10k.

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  11. Holy crap, a venomous snake? I would have DIED. Once i spotted an alligator on one of my runs and turned around and hauled it out of there faster than I'd ever run. Maybe that's the key to speedwork ;)

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  12. Wow! That's you! With the numbers on your shirt! I'm gonna go ahead and suggest some lightweight firearms to deal with future encounters with rattlesnakes and the like. A flame thrower, perhaps. You live in Florida, so they're probably legal.

    And don't you worry about the walker. She's had decades of practice. Remember the jacked old lady who towed our sinking inflatable boat (and our ridiculous selves) halfway across the lake with her kayak? Just laugh and promise yourself that you'll be fit as a fiddle at age 60. You've got plenty of time to get there.

    And don't forget that where you ARE is wonderful. I'm so freaking proud of you!

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  13. I would suggest a .410 gauge shotgun pistol... small, light, good at close range against snakes, but wont hurt a thing past 15 feet!!

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  14. Then again, I must say the snake was heading AWAY from me, and I was on the empty trail walking quietly... Get a group and make some noise and you will not see a thing.

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  15. Yeah, the snake was pretty terrifying and I didn't see it, but knowing that it really is living there. I mean it's great that they can survive there, BUT I am not a fan of snakes....

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