Had a wonderful time at the race this morning!! We had great weather and over 3,500 women pumped to exercise!
My fuel settled in my stomach perfectly and I biked (a wee bit scared in the dark) over to Seamane and Rob’s house. So thankful they let me carpool with them! My bike ride was a great warm up : )
The race is held in the countryside near where they do the Foxfield Horse Races. They actually close down a stretch of road for the event.
Getting a parking spot was a piece of cake thanks to about 100 men in blue shirts navigating us in. I actually believe [correct me if I’m wrong] that this is the largest 100% volunteer foot race in the country!?
Sure looked like it!
We three girls chatted and stretched. It was actually really nice to have the whole countryside to spread out. Often races can be so claustrophobic when they’re in cities with buildings everywhere. So beautiful too!
They had the start really well organized – probably because this was the 19th annual! We all lined up in a massive parade of paces and then walked backwards to the start so that the 6-7 minute milers went from the back to the front. I lined up with the 8 minute mile pace group and in 3-2-1 we were off!
My plan wasn’t to break any records – just to run hard and enjoy the experience. Miles 1 and 4 were actually the best, but miles 2 and 3 I felt were all at a slight uphill! I got a pretty bad stich in my side halfway through mile 2 and mile 3 was definitely the hardest. I stopped for a few seconds at the water station to take a drink, and that really helped the stich subside to I could run mile 4 hard.
I finished in 32:37 [Garmin: 32:40] – and am really happy with my time! 8:11 pace.
Splits
- 7:38
- 8:07
- 8:47 [ <—killer hill + side stich]
- 8:07
Look for the flying ponytail and the turkey leg across the finish!
It was probably one of my favorite races I’ve run because I didn’t feel like I killed myself but still ran hard and strong. I really loved the course too – it was an out-and-back loop, meaning we O+Bed from a central starting point. So we could see the first runner heading to the finish and could cheer to all of those running opposite of us. I also love straight courses – they give me better drive than loopy zig zags.
Afterwards, I sipped half a bottle of Gatorade and met up with Seamane and Sarah. I also saw Meredith and her friends and was recognized by a blog reader!
Candids by Rob
The 100 men in blue shirts were no where to be found when it was time to leave. Traffic was bad, but Rob pulled a smart move and we made it out just fine
Once I was back at their house, I still had a 3-mile hilly bike ride to do! Ack! But it was a beautiful morning so I didn’t mind.
Shower
Snack!
Not sure if this is part II of breakfast or part I of lunch, but yogurt sounded so good. I’m sure I’ll have a sandwich later this afternoon at the bakery.
When the bakery closes at 5pm = we rest.
[And then pack our whole house!]
[email protected] says
Hooray for a swift 4 miles!! Love the action shot of you 🙂
Khushboo says
Wow Kath, that’s a pretty speedy 4-miler…actually no, a VERY speedy run! Nice going 😀
Molly @ RDexposed says
Way to show those buff arms off! And I want those figs!!
Jil @ Big City, Lil' Kitchen says
Love it!! Great run – and looks like a fantastic time.
Katie @ Nourishing Flourishing says
Woo yeah! Congratulations!
Kristin @ eat healthy. be happy. live well. says
I wish I had known about this race! I totally would have made the trek down there. Looks awesome and you did a great job!
I’ll have to look into it for next year
Tina says
Head’s up if you want to do it. It usually fills up on the first day of online registration. One of my daughters and I signed up, but the other one hemmed and hawed, and when she decided that she wanted to do it at about 4 pm, first day of registration, she was wait listed.
J3nn(Jenn's Menu and Lifestyle Blog) says
Congrats! Sounds like an invigorating run. You look so nice even after a race, lol. 🙂
Kelly @ Laughter, Strength, and Food says
Great race! I did my last race just for fun and wasn’t trying to break any records or kill myself and it was the most fun I have ever had during a race! 🙂
Christine (The Raw Project) says
Awesome race, great job! I love doing races for fun and not stressing about PR’ing, just enjoying the change of scenery and exercising with new people.
Nikita says
Nice job! Looks like it was a lot of fun!
Lindsay @ bike before bed says
The run looks beautiful. I’m sure the scenery made the time fly by
Hillary says
I love love love low-pressure races! Sounds like you had a great time. Hope packing goes easy for you guys tonight!
Candy @Healthy in Candy Land says
Great job on the run! Looks like a good time in a beautiful location.
Rebekah @ Medicine, Munchies and Movement says
What an awesome race! Love the pics!
Lara @TresLaLa says
Sounds like a great race! What is “O+Bed” though?
KathEats says
“Out-and-backed”
Lindsay @ Lindsay's List says
Those splits were no joke! Great job, Kath!
kaila @ healthy helper! says
Fun way to start a saturday morning!!! Nice pace too!!!
Hillary [Nutrition Nut on the Run] says
I had figgies for breakfast today, too – so so good!!
Ah, can’t believe K&M are moving yet again. So fun to ‘watch’ tho 😉
Brittany @ Itty Bits of Balance says
I knew the “midnight” figs would be back 😉
Paige @ Running Around Normal says
Nice! Sounds like it was worth the early wake up call! 🙂
Wait, do you eat the fig skins? Are you supposed to? I think I missed this – I always scoop out the flesh (I hate that word for food, btw lol)
KathEats says
Yep! Eat them just like pear skin
Cait's Plate says
Yay! So glad it was fun 🙂 There’s not much better way to kick off a long weekend.
Lee says
Have you thought about doing the Charlottesville half marathon? It’s the only half that I’ve done outside of Georgia and it was really pretty!
KathEats says
I don’t know if I could run another half – hard stuff!
Sarah Jane MacMillan says
Whoa that time is really REALLY good! Especially for foxfields! That course is pretty difficult Lars always told me.
Emily says
I can’t believe you’re moving so soon- I can’t wait to see more of the new spot busy lady!
kathleen (the daily crumb) says
a great race, kath! hate when those hills get you… but congrats on pushing through and a super speedy time. happy weekend!
kathleen says
great race, kath!
Shannon @ My Place In The Race says
What a great race! Loving that snack 😛
Sarah says
Oh, you really have me in the mood to run! Just a few more weeks of pregnancy, some recovery, and then I’m hittin’ the road!
Mollie says
good luck packing!! i’ve moved every 12 months the past few years and the biggest lifesaver has been to keep the clothes on the hanger!
Baking N Books says
Fast split times – I didn’t realize you ran so fast.
I tried black mission figs the other day – they’re addicting. Kind of like mini plums to me.
Kate (What Kate is Cooking) says
Congrats on the run and good luck with packing!
Emily says
What a great race, awesome job, looked like such a fun event! Enjoy the rest of your Saturday and the rest this evening 🙂
Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen) says
Congrats on the run! I love that you just felt good about it. I think that’s the most important part of anything we do! Enjoy the rest of your day Kath!
Amanda- The Nutritionist Reviews says
I love the picture of you with your thumbs up : ). Congrats on a great race.
skinnyrunner says
reading this post makes me really want to go run a race now. having a case of extreme race envy…
Katie @ Peace Love and Oats says
I’m glad you had such a great run! looks like a blast! And I’ve actually been there! I went to Foxfield a couple years ago with my sorority sister who had transferred to Maryland – beautiful area! Especially when our car broke down and we had to push it… In our sundresses and big hats. Haha rewarded with a mint julep though. or a few…
[email protected] says
Cooool~I really like that photo of you running! and that’s alooooootttta people! I love how nice and green it is there.
faith says
O.K, you’ve inspired me to get off my arse! It’s been a lazy Saturday but I am hopping on my bike to the river trail for a run, thanks for the motivational kick I needed!
KathEats says
Guess whose name was on the fence when I ran by!?!
FAITH HUFFMAN!
Nikki says
What a great looking run!! All I have done today is post a recipe on my blog sitting on my butt!
Enjoy your long weekend! 2 days off!! WHoo Hoo!!
Jill says
Did you do a long warm up or just give ‘er at the start?
Jill says
oops-I see you biked-perfect warm up! I bet that helped a lot!
Angel7 says
A great race, indeed 🙂
http://faithfulsolutions.blogspot.com/
Rosebud says
You are adorable. LOL, and look stylish after a race.
KathEats says
🙂
Cait @ Beyond Bananas says
That is an awesome time, Kath! Great run, and congrats! It looks like you were running with a big ole crowd.. always good for motivation if you ask me! 🙂
Kathy W. says
Great pace!!
(would be fun to see a packing post. Home Packed Home??)
KathEats says
I’m sure you’ll see some packing posts this weekend 🙂
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga says
Congrats on your race and for someone not trying to run super fast, you sure did! That’s an awesome time and splits in the 7’s and low 8’s, well that seems pretty fast to me!
And races being claustrophobic and cramped and a little psychotic sometimes…oh, I know that feeling all too well. The start gate area of races is crazy-making sometimes! How wonderful that this one was spread out in the countryside. It looks beautiful!
Margo @ Peanut Butter Trees says
congrats on the awesome race!
Chase says
Looks like a great morning for a race! I like 4 milers! Long enough to be tough, short enough to be no big deal! 🙂
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin says
I think there was some reverse psychology going on here because for not trying very hard, that’s a killer finishing time. Nice job! 😛
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin says
Totally meant to write a 😀 instead of a :P!
hemp jogger says
i thought about all you ladies this morning…great job! its such a great race, and so many wonderful people : )
Hannah says
You all looks so happy! What awesomeness!
Amy* says
I’ve never run a 4 mile race. It sounds like a fun distance.*
Karen says
What a strong race you ran, Kath! And you are looking especially happy and fit…love the finish line shot! Congrats!
Anita says
Good for you KERF !
Must feel great. I’m not a runner so I can only imagine.
Maria @ Beautiful Busy Bee says
Good job!!! That sounds like my kind of race! Your yogurt with figs (my favorite fruit!!) looks super good. Good luck packing up your house. 🙂
Yolanda says
I ran my first 6.2 miles this morning, evah for my long run and was thrilled. 1:05:52 was my time, and then came back to enjoy a 1.5 mile hike with my Man and three friends along with a “boot-camp”.
Also, for the first time ever today, we enjoyed figs. I bought them because of you and I found them in the store.
Great job on your race!!!
Natalie says
Great job on the race! That fig,blueberry, yoghurt and cereal bowl looks amazing!
I think it is SO cute that Allie is usually always your #1 poster. Go Allie!
Meredith says
Just catching up on posts 🙂 Wow, I am so impressed by your splits! I finished around 1:05, hehe 😉 Maybe next year I will be able to run the whole thing!
KathEats says
You can do it!!