How appropriate that for my birthday (10.26) I ran a 10K that’s 6.2!! I think this is my new favorite race distance!!
26s everywhere!
I actually slept horribly last night 
I couldn’t fall asleep and was restless. Luckily, I did not feel tired when I woke up this morning. Whew!
Meghann and I enjoyed a pre-race ritual of toast with PB and coffee (tea for her)
Dakota with Nuttzo PF and pumpkin butter. I skipped the half banana today – just wasn’t feelin’ it and didn’t want to overeat. I always tend to overeat before races and then don’t have enough time to digest and can feel the slosh in my stomach. So I copied racing expert Meghann and was very happy with the results.
I did add a cup of coffee, which I think enhances my performance!
Application of the race bib. Ah the perks of marriage!
We biked the 2.2 miles to the race start – who wants to worry about parking, and while the bike ride was FRIGID, it was a fantastic warmup. LOVED the fact that we could wait out of the cold and in Charlottesville Running Company before the race start. The race was pretty small – maybe 350 people? (We think the bibs were alphabetical and as a Younger I was #334!)
Chomped down on a date with about 10 minutes to go. Who knows if it helped, but I like to think it did because we had an awesome race!!
Ready
Set
Go!
Meghann and I decided to run the race together because we’re pretty much identical when it comes to our paces and goals. We really had no clue how fast we could comfortably run this race, but turns out we smashed our goal of "let’s just run sub-9:00 miles."
I thought the course was awesome. It was mostly rolling hills and flat, except for one killer half mile climb at mile 4 and a few steep but short hills interspersed throughout the rest of the course. I took water at mile 2 (was on the wrong side for Gatorade!) and a Gatorade right before mile 4. I swear I can feel Gatorade kicking in about 5 minutes after I drink it. I swear by sports drinks! The fuel is no joke. Metabolism in action.
I also LOVED running with a partner!! It made the race so much more fun. Meghann and I did a great job of motivating one another and were right in step the entire race. We actually were right behind Jess and Mike, right next to Sarah and right in front of Faith for the whole run!
Splits (which totally caught us by surprise!)
- 7:46 (rolling hills)
- 7:57 (rolling hills)
- 8:06 (flat)
- 8:30 (flat)
- 8:57 ( <– the killer half mile steep hill!)
- 8:09 (rolling hills)
- and the .2
Total time: 50:53
The end was a nice downhill right down the mall:
Josh whizzed by
Followed by a smiling Jess!
Juuuuuuust above 50 minutes!! I had hoped mid-race that we could make it. In fact, I looked down at my Garmin when it hit 49:00 and knew we just had the downtown mall to sprint. And sprint we did!!
And crazy Faith!
This was actually my first 10K race!! Loved the distance so much more than the 5K (which basically means you have to kill yourself sprinting the whole time). This distance was perfect because you could challenge yourself with fast, but not too fast that you weren’t enjoying it. We loved every minute!
I think I was describing the hill right about here ; )
Lani’s first race!!! She did awesome!
Jess + Mike. Woot.
I think the race really warped Faith she ran so fast 
After a few cups of Gatorade, we headed to the farmer’s market for entertainment and food.
And coffee!
Shenandoah Joe’s !
I’ve been wanting to get a scone from the market all summer/fall but I always eat breakfast before we go! Today was the perfect day!! I got an Oatmeal, Cinnamon, Currant scone. It was tasty, but Meghann‘s was better!
So I supplemented with a Honey Bunch from Cville Coffee. This was still warm and full of coconut and oats – amazing!
Last but not least, we had a freshly made doughnut. I’ve been smelling these for months and waiting for a day when the craving hit to eat one. Today was the day! Tasted amazing – it was CAKEY which I loved (not airy). Definitely going to have to try the glazed next time!
On that note, we have friends over, and more coming, and a lunch date to go to and pumpkins to carve!!
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is says
Congrats Kath! Have fun today!
Heidi @ runaroundaroo says
Congrats on the great race…and the birthday! 🙂
That photo of Faith jumping is an awesome photo! Looks like a fun race!
Shannon @ Freshman Yr of Life says
Looks like an awesome race! I ran my first 10K in Maine in August and agree that it is perfect race length 🙂
Michelle (The Runner's Plate) says
I love running races with friends. Those sweet treats are definitely what I crave after running!
Krista (kristastes) says
Wahooo, nice job lady – awesome splits!! I have never done a 10k, only higher distance races, but I think it would be the perfect distance for me. Your treats look like scrumptious race rewards…cakey doughnuts are the best kind 😉
Mom says
Gosh. This one brought tears to my eyes. When I think of you on the couch the day after your foot surgery…
Congrats to your friends too, and Kanz looks mighty fine with that camera.
Mom
Lauren at KeepItSweet says
congrats on a great race! have a fun weekend!
Alina @ Duty Free Foodie says
That looks like such a fun morning! I also love coffee before endurance workouts, and Gatorade makes a HUGE difference. I ran my first 10-K this May after actually having a migraine all morning (complete with throwing up until 2 pm). I could finally eat about an hour before the race, and I chugged an entire Gatorade and made good time (for me). Without it, I could not have run at all!
Kiran says
What a fun race! Congrats Kath and Meghann. Woot! Woot! 🙂
Erin (Travel, Eat, Repeat) says
Fun! Looks like a nice, small race. It was COLD this morning, though. Seems like chilly weather really snuck up on us. 😀
Kristy @ KristyRuns says
Y’all are so speedy! Congrats! Looks nice and cold, which makes for great race weather!
Natalia - a side of simple says
Congrats!! With all those 26’s around your birthday celebrations look like they are off to a fantastic start. Have a great time celebrating 🙂
stacey-healthylife says
What a fun race and great idea to run it with so many friends.
Erika @ Food, Fitness, & Fun says
Congrats on an amazing 10K! Enjoy the rest of your birthday! 🙂
yummieecupcake says
i have that coffee silver cup! got it at bath and bed beyond. happy early birthday!
Caitlyn (A Spoonful of Life) says
Way to go on your race!! What a great time! Enjoy the rest of the day!
Jamie @ Food in Real Life says
I ran my first 10K this morning too! 🙂
Kaci Higgins says
Way to go Kath!! How do you still look so pretty after running 10k?! Have a fantastic day!!
S @ extremebalance.net/blog says
Wow! That was zippy! Well done to both of you!
Dee says
YAY! Congrats to you and Meghann (and everyone else too!). Sounds like a fun Saturday. Can’t wait to hear more about it! 🙂
Kaitlyn (College Girl Runs) says
Congrats on the race 🙂
Chelsea @ Strawberry Sweat says
Congrats on the awesome race! It must have been a great start to the day–I’m sure you and Meghann will have that running high all weekend!
claire says
Congrats! What a great race! Yum to the doughnut!
Katie says
Congrats on the race! You’ve got me craving doughnuts now!
Laughter-Loving Stacy says
Good job! Running races are fun 🙂
Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat says
Congrats Kath! That’s an awesome time! Looks like a great morning.. and I said it on Meghann’s blog but I’ll say it again – that donut looks SO SO good!! CAKEY is the only way to be!
Grocery Goddess Jen says
And right now as I read this you have 26 comments – you sure are full of them. Great race! You really have figured out the running on hills thing. The donut looks delicious!
Lisa says
Happy early Birthday Kath!!!! Congratulations on the great race, you have inspired me to give running another attempt. Have a wonderful birthday weekend. That donut looks so good.
Marisa @ Loser for Life says
What a great race, Kath! I just did my first 10K last weekend and I loved it,too!
Enjoy your day 🙂
holly @ couchpotatoathlete says
Great race! Most of the time I like to run alone, but it is fun with a partner once in a while. I love that Matt is photographer during the race — how nice to have some action shots!
Have a fun day Kath — I can’t wait to see your pumpkins!
Simply Life says
oh looks like a great run – congrats!
Amy says
That’s aweesome! I had a good run today too, but (my own non-race) 3.1, not 6.2.
(And is that a Carpe Donut? Did you know they’re getting a storefront near Cville Coffee??)
Meagan says
That sounds like fun 🙂 I’m glad you all did well!
Krystina (Organically Me) says
Congrats on the race!! That donut looks fab.
Lauren @ [email protected] says
Nice race Kath!! I agree 10K’s are one of my favorite race distance as well. I just wish there were more of them around usually you see a lot of 5ks, but not 10ks well at least around Boston.
Ann says
Congrats and happy birthday.
Curious, what is a weekly workout schedule like for Matt? He seems to be in good shape too.
Kori says
Awesome race!!! I hope you have a fabulous pre-birthday celebration this weekend! Wish I could’ve come, but I look forward to reading your updates! 🙂
Ashley says
Congrats Kath + Meghann. I loved this post. It looks like such a fun fall morning, especially with a trip the market afterwards. 10k does seem like an awesome race distance. 🙂
Mary @ Bites and Bliss says
Woohoo!!! Congrats on your 1st 10K! And I like how you said you prefer 10Ks over 5Ks…I’ve run a few 5Ks and hate it while running it but love it at the end, of course. And now I realize it because yes, we’re sprinting the entire time..and it’s killer!! I’ll have to find a 10K to try out 🙂
Love the sweater on that bear, too. They’re my school colors! 😀
Amanda says
Way to fly through that 10k! You guys are super speedy!
Looks like you’re having a great birthday so far 🙂
Lisa says
You guys look freezing!!
I would love to do a 10k. I think that’s the perfect distance.
Kasey says
Congrats on the race!!!
Kandra says
Congrats on your race! I’m doing the couch to 5k program and hope to complete my first 5k(jog) in February. 🙂 Can’t imagine a 10k! 😀
Cathy B. @ Bright Bakes says
Congratulations! I’m working on a 10k right now.. Not an actual race, just the distance …:)
love,
cathy b. @ brightbakes
abbi says
Awesome 10K, congrats!
Maddie says
I love running with friends! It makes the race fly by. Glad you had fun and congrats!
Whitney says
great finish times on that race!
Meg says
Congrats to both of you BEAUTIFUL ladies, seriously – no one should look that gorgeous in race gear 😉 Love the “describing the hill” photo – haha 😀
Enjoy the company and PUMPKIN CARVING!!
Kelly says
I love 10Ks too! I know you’re not exactly close to Richmond, but if you’re looking for a race in March, Brad and I usually do the Ukrops 10K in Richmond (although I think it has a different sponsor this year so it won’t be Ukrops). It’s such a fun race! Tons of people cheer you on and I have seen some of the wackiest costumes there.
Kelly says
Oh and Happy Birthday!!!
lisasfoods says
Congratulations on your race. Glad you’ve found a new distance that you like…I’ve only run 5ks, but see a possible 10k in my future.
Sarah K. @ The Pajama Chef says
10K are a great distance i think… except on a track. then they are way. too. long!
Marci says
Y’all are so speedy! I did a 5K race today, and then added on a few miles, but no frigid air here! It was in the 80s. 🙁 Too hot. Happy early birthday and have fun celebrating! That froyo looks great too!
jen says
kath! this is not related to your post but i hope you will help me with a quick overnight oats question:
somtimes i make overnight oats then in the morning am in the mood for something else. how many nights do you think is ok to leave them in the fridge (just oats and soymilk) and still be safe to eat?
also a nerdy question that you don’t have to answer if you don’t want: why would the combo go bad? like is there some chemistry of what happenes to the soaked oats over time?
thanks!
Kath says
I think you could get by with a few days (3?) at a time. They won’t go bad, but they might lose texture and structure characteristics.
jen says
your devotion to your readers is amazing! thank u so much kath 🙂
Allie says
Congrats on the great race time, have fun carving pumpkins!
Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down) says
CONGRATS on having a wonderfully enjoyable race! I agree, that the 10k is a perfect running distance. I think it’s where I’m at my happiest, although I *would* like to complete a half marathon someday. 😀
Love the pic of you and Matt in the third to last photo. 😀
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin says
Congrats on the race! Those treats look like the perfect way to refuel. 😀
Lee says
You are some fast ladies! Great job.
Heather says
looks so cold there! Great job on the race though sounds like yall had fun!
Katherine says
I’ve never seen anyone look so pretty after running a 10k!
Kath says
Y’all are too kind!
Dimple Snatcher says
:))))))))))!!!
love the photos.
congrats!
Maryea @ Happy Healthy Mama says
congrats on a great race!
Camille says
Congrats on a great race!
Liz @ Tip Top Shape says
That donut looks great! Congrats on doing so well on the race!! Definitely looks like you had a good time 😀
Hannah says
I was scouring through the photos to see if I recognised anyone from UVA, but I guess msot of them have graduated by now! That donut looks amazing, and most of all, CONGRATULATIONS!
lauri (RedHeadRecipes.com) says
Congrats on the 10k!! Is the hat that you are wearing the one we got in class awhile ago?!?! Ha ha–> I have NO idea what happened to mine!!
Kath says
YES!!
Clare @ Fitting It All In says
SPEED DEMONS! Congrats on a super fast race!!!
Sara @ myfancytuna.blogspot.com says
WAY TO GO!! Sounds like it was an awesome race!! 😀 Also, your post race eats look delicious!! Especially that doughnut…yuuuum!
Angela (Oh She Glows) says
Happy Birthday, Kath!
Congrats on your speedy 10k!! You rocked it. 🙂
Allie (Nutty FlexitALLIEan) says
I love 10Ks too! Congrats on your first, it looks like it was a great race day!
Anne P says
Just catching up on your posts and your birthday weekend looked like a blast! I’m sorry I wasn’t able to make it to celebrate with you, but it looks like you had great company anyway 🙂
xo