I hate to get up early! But, since I've been running, I can tolerate it a bit better. When that alarm went off at 5 am this morning, I was NOT happy. Little Susie Sunshine I was not. I finally crawled out of bed at 5:15 and pulled on my running clothes. Amazing that they even matched. We headed to Simpsonville, about a 25 minute drive if you take the toll road, which we did. Last year, I was unable to run this race because I was in my cast. I had some pre-race nerves which always happen and ate some dry Cheerios mixed with almonds. Packet pick up was well organized and instead of shirts, they did a small pink cooler bag. Cute and useful, but I'm not sure how much will fit in it. I put on my number (200 - no 3s)and took the bags to the car while Jeff took care of nature's business and then I waited near the start line for him. I saw Wanda and Kay and spoke with them as we lined up. This tended to be a fast field, so I lined up in the back and knew that I may come in toward the back of the pack. As we started, I felt good and strong. At 3 1/2 minutes into the race, I was doing about a 9:58 pace, which I knew was too quick for me, so I backed off. We rounded the corner and ran up Main Street. I saw a girl that I've run with in several recent races and she was breathing really, really hard. I have noticed that she tends to go out fast, but dies after about 1.5 to 2 miles. It looked like today would be no exception for her. I spoke to a lady that I finished the Safe Harbor Race with in May. I don't know her name, but remembered her son's name was Scott so I just called her Scott's Mom. Mile 1 was at 10:42. Not bad for me. I purposefully slowed down even more because visions of that Safe Harbor run were dancing through my head when I had to stop and walk so much because I was cramping. I did not want a repeat of that race. Even at 6:30 am, it was mid-70s with 65% humidity. I ran without my iPod, something I normally do not do so I sang a song in my head over and over again (Kid Rock - All Summer Long). Even now, 4 hours later, I can't get that song out of my head! Mile 2 = 11:27. At the water stop, I walked through it and had some water. I had just put in my Shot Block and still felt good. We were now in the neighborhoods and were running into one named "Poinsettia". I began to picture the neighborhood I grew up in (Poinsettia Forest) and started naming off people who would have lived in the equivalent houses. Anything to keep my mind occupied. Mile 3 = 11:35. There was a man running with his Irish Setter and at about mile 3.25, a gentleman in his yard spraying runners with a hose. God Bless him! I tried to get my spray on, but a large genteleman in front of me who was walking was blocking most of the shot. At about 3.9 miles, I walked briefly up a small hill. I wanted to finish this race strong and needed just a few seconds to recover. Mile 4 = 11:32. The last mile seemed to go by really quickly. Not that I was running it fast, but we were coming out of the neighborhood and running up the street. I could see the park in the distance and knew the finish was close. For the first time since January, I still felt super good and strong at 5 miles. I think I am finally healed! I heard Jeff yell for me at the corner. He finished in 48:11. He's freakin' amazing! I rounded the corner and down the hill toward the finish line. I picked up my speed in a major way and sprinted across the line. Mile 5 = 10:52. As I came across the line, I was at a 7:04 pace. Whew! That was fun!! Total time: 56:15. I missed my PR by around 32 seconds. And I wasn't in the back, there were still quite a few people who finished behind me. I have gotten so used to running in the back almost by myself that I loved the feeling of being with other people on the course.
So, it's time for me to get serious and get my conditioning up again. My goal for this year is still an under-30 5K and if I can keep it up, stay injury free, at the Turkey Trot I'm going to accomplish it!
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