Skip to main content

Spectrum 10k Race Report



I did not sleep well last night. Every time I woke up, my legs were aching. The last thing they wanted to do at 6 am is to get up and head to a race. But I did not care. I was hoping that even if they completely refused to join the party, my mind would still be able to pull it off. I signed up for this race knowing very well how tired I would be come Saturday. But I like a little challenge and this week was all about training the body and mind. And my mind was saying: Bring it! 

Rode the bus partway up Snow Canyon to the start. 


Warmed up on a nice trail with Colleen. 
Found some good friends in this mayhem and chatted for a minute. 


Time to hit it!


This was my first time wearing head phones in a race. The course was not all downhill but the first 3 miles we ran down Snow Canyon and the next 3 miles were on a false flat/slightly uphill. So I figured that I might as well be listening to music if the (possible) PR won't really count anyway... I am glad I made that decision. When my legs started screaming at me, I would just turn up the volume and ignore them. The music was really loud at the end...



I started out relatively fast. There was going to be no 'easing into it' or 'warming up for the first mile'. I wanted to get this thing over with as quickly as possible! I was also hoping to take advantage of the downhill, so I would not have to run quite as fast once we hit the flats. All according to the motto: Make hay while the sun is shining! If I was going to be blow up later, I was going to deal with it then!

I kept thinking: Where are all the fast runner girls? They must be flying by any second... But, lucky for me, only one showed up that day! I was in 3rd pretty much from the start and passed the 2nd girl at mile 2. She was looking so good, I kinda wanted to just stay behind her and admire her. But that was not part of the race plan, so I moved on. 

Suddenly, we hit mile 3. Whoa! Halfway already? Crazy! Only about 20 minutes left! I can do anything for 20 minutes!


The uphills hurt but - when do they not hurt? The race went by so fast, it was crazy! I was actually having fun! Karl and the kids almost missed me, hence the (bad) shots from far away. But I am glad they came out to cheer me on! 


These finish line shots certainly aren't pretty but I was not going for pretty! I pushed it all the way and ended up with a 38:18! I am stoked! 



2nd female overall and 1st in our age group! 
Colleen, my stud friend, took 2nd! 


The kids (and maybe I) ate lots of frozen yogurt and then went off to the wildlife museum. 
Colleen and I dragged ourselves over to the pool for a swim. 
Then it was time for some yummy and long-awaited Cafe Rio! 

Thank you, Rue family, for a great afternoon! 
 










Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

I am so lucky

I feel the need to write. My thoughts are all jumbled. Can I make sense of them on paper? Writin g gives me perspective and makes it easier to let go. Last weekend I was very frustrated, mad, self-centered, unhappy , wallowing in self-pity. This weekend I was more balanced, a little more patient, trying to be less selfish, happy . How did it happen? I have had to deal with myself for almost 30 years now and, luckily, have figured out a few things on the way. Like how to feel at peace with myself , my family , my life . It shouldn't be complicated to be happy in my circumstances. I realize that. But sometimes it still is. Sometimes being a mom and wife doesn't come easy to me. Sometimes I think everyone would be better off if I wasn't a mom and wife. Sometimes I wish it was easier to just take off and do nothing but swimbikeruneatsleep for a week or two. It's not helping that my German teammates are doing just that. Right now. On a beautiful island. In the warm...
10 comments
Read more

Racing Season '09

So far, this season has been really good . I have done 4 races and have been able to stand on top of the podium 4 times. Yeah! I am still far from where I could be and would like to be but, I guess, I'll take it. But I really need to get my act together... Having nice gear always helps, though. And, thanks to Salt Lake Running Company , I have plenty of it. Unfortunately, in January when they ordered our stuff, I had big plans and was hoping to be back in shape by May. Well, I am not. So most of the beautiful stuff they sent is just sitting in the closet waiting to be worn for the first time. My fault. Should have ordered a bigger size . Maybe next season. Luckily, the backpack fits! Noah loves the pink. So do I. These are the fanciest running shoes I have ever owned. I love them. They are so comfortable , really light , and super fast to put on. Sadly, I only get to wear them on race day. If they were not so expensive, I would get myself a pair just to wear around. Okay, not...
7 comments
Read more

Feat of Fortitude - Half Triathlon

The alarm went off way too soon on Sunday morning. 4 am? Really? Well, it was time to move my butt out of bed for Feat of Fortitude Part II: the Mountain Man Half Triathlon . Why did I choose to run a Half Marathon one day and do a Half Triathlon the next? Because the prize for the fastest combined time of these events was free entries to both events next year! Considering our financial situation, I had to give it a shot. I knew I was not going to have enough time on race morning but I just could not handle the thought of waking up at 3:30 am. And I paid for it. I forgot to tape a couple of GUs onto my bike. Lesson #1 : No matter how early the race starts, I need to be there at least 2 hours early . Most people don't need that much time but I do. I always have. I like to get a good spot, set everything up perfectly, take my bike for a little spin (when allowed), run, stretch, chat, etc. Those might be my favorite 2 hours of race day! The swim was great! I was loving it...
5 comments
Read more