10 miles – I survived!!
And not only survived, I had a great race. It’s kind of all like a dream now that I’m sitting down to write about it hours later.
I started the day at 5:30 with toast topped with banana and almond butter. And half caf coffee! I considered full caffeine, but I didn’t want to be too jittery.
This is the only pre-race shot I have with some of my friends – at soon as we started we separated and then never found each other again!
The race was a perfect storm for me. My legs were rested. The weather was decent (although on the cold side). I felt generally energized and strong. I gave it all my all, and really surprised myself with my time.
The race information packet gave quite a bit of information on running your best race. The tip they hammered in was to make your first mile the slowest. This wasn’t too hard to do because it was SO crowded for the first half mile or so, but I think it set me up for a strong run.
The biggest surprise for me was that the hills weren’t as bad as I was expecting. In the 5 years that I’ve lived here, I’ve heard so many comments about the hills on the 10 miler. But honestly – there weren’t many steep hills at all (compared to the ones I ran my training runs on!) I knew from the race packet that the Lexington hill was “the mental one” but I think since I’m used to running that a lot it was easy for me. The hard one was the hill by The Corner and UVA – at mile 9 that was killer! After my slow start with mile one, miles 2-6 were pretty easy. Miles 6 and 9 were my hardest, and I tried to sprint it in to the end and ended up with mile 10 as my fastest. The cheering and live music, as always, were so uplifting. I knew once I saw that I was easily running sub-9:00 miles that so long as I kept my average pace under 9:00 I’d be set for a 1:30 race.
I took water and Gatorade wherever I could and ate dried tart cherries from my pocket a few times. I also had the Dixie Chicks, Ben Rector and Glee Season 1 to thank for some nice tunes!
Here were my splits:
- 9:33
- 8:31
- 8:42
- 8:39
- 8:51
- 8:49
- 8:48
- 8:28
- 8:50
- 8:16
Garmin time: 1:27:30
Chip time: 127:56
I’m so surprised that I had a sub-90 in me. I really had no idea considering a ran 9 miles in 1:33 just 2 weeks ago on a nice sunny day. Maybe it was the adrenaline or maybe my legs just remembered their old stride.
I have to say, I hadn’t felt an adrenaline rush like crossing that finish line since I gave birth!
And man, if I had known I was so close to a 1:26 time, I would have trucked it that much harder in the beginning : )
Post race I had cinnamon chip and a quick massage!
My only complaint about the whole experience was how cold I was after the race was over. I was wet head to toe with sweat and it was probably in the upper 30s or 40s. Freezing! Thankfully I had my down coat with me and we could go inside to warm up, but I was chilled to the bone until I was out of a hot shower at 10:30.
After taking Karen to the train station, Matt went back to work and Mazen and I went on a date to First Colony Winery, which was having a Kite Day!
Mazen painted his own kite and we met some friends there for a picnic.
Appetizers –
And lunch (which I had waaaay too late and was starving!) was crab cakes and french fries. Mazen went up to the food truck and said “Excuse me I need some french fries” after he saw another child with them, so I couldn’t say no. The crab cakes were awesome!
I’m ready to put my feet up and chill out for a bit for the first time today. Totally exhausted.
Elyse says
Way to go Kath! Take it easy for a couple days and enjoy the high of crossing the finish line.
Sarah says
Congrats! That’s an amazing time!!
http://flipflopsandfurs.com
Anne @ fannetasticfood says
Awesome! ! There’s nothing like the feeling of crossing a finish line, huh? Way to crush it – proud of you!
emily says
Congrats on the great run!
Monica says
Way to go on your race Kath! You trained hard and deserved a good race!
Meg says
Way to go! And that kite decorating looks too fun! What a great idea for the kiddos! I love when wineries are kid friendly 🙂
Sarah says
Those are good splits, actually. Congrats! Carbcovery now.
[email protected] says
Epic!!! Well done!! Your weekend must be made! Here’s to some chillaxing for the rest of it!
clare @ fitting it all in says
Killer race, kath!! I wish I had run it last year. Missing Cville, but a gorgeous hike made me feel like I was there today!
KathEats says
Cville misses you too 🙂
Hannah says
Looks like such a lovely day!
Grace says
Awesome job!! I agree with you on the hills at the end..I think mile 8 and 9 were my worst. My final time was 1:25:47 so I’m surprised I missed seeing you near the finish line. (Somehow I also missed the Great Harvest tent =/ haha). Congrats again!
KathEats says
Great job!! See you for wine and design workout?
Grace says
I’ll be there! See you then!
Alison @ Daily Moves and Grooves says
Woohoo!! What an amazing time! Congrats on such a great race, Kath 🙂
And my heart is melting at how Mazen asked for those fries. Hope you have some wonderful rest tonight!
Liz @ I Heart Vegetables says
Nice job on the race! You’re speedy! 🙂 I’m glad the weather mostly cooperated (although it makes sense that it was chilly once you finished!) Glad you enjoyed it!
Allison @ plaidpdxmama says
Awesome run! I love all of your picts especially of your lil boy painting!
Natalie says
As a childless adult with a busy schedule, I often buy those baby food pouches as a to-go snack 🙂 I’ve bought the pumpkin spinach flavor multiple times because it’s the only one without fruit but omg, I have a stomach of steel, and that one makes me gag! I can’t get used to it. And I love both spinach and pumpkin. I have to stick with the fruit ones.
KathEats says
I can’t even stand the smell, but he sure loves them!
Julie says
Congrats Kath, you’re awesome 🙂
Elise says
Congrats on your race! I had a feeling you would run faster than you thought because you don’t want to run your long runs as fast as your race pace. I’m curious, what are those cracker-looking things in your picnic picture?
KathEats says
Dr. Krackers! So good
Jennifer says
Congrats. I think 10 miles is my favorite distance to run. Not too far but not too short. Looking forward to running more, winter in New England has been brutal. Hopefully yesterday was the last of our new snow.
Theodora says
Awesome job! 🙂
Cassie says
Amazing job! What a lovely way to celebrate too!
Alex @ True Femme says
Way to totally nail that race! That’s really awesome! Congratulations 🙂 I’m just now getting to the point where I can run a mile in under 10 minutes, which for me is an accomplishment of near epic proportions, but I love seeing that progress is possible.
Karen H. says
Huge congrats on your race! You are an inspiration!
Tracy says
Well done, Kath! Congratulations 🙂
Katie says
Way to go 🙂 Isn’t it a great feeling when you have an amazing race?! P.s. I made your make – Ahead meatballs this past week & they were a big hit!
Livi @ Eat, Pray, Work It Out says
Congratulations on the race!
sam @ grapefruit & granola says
Congrats on your time!
Erin @ Her Heartland Soul says
Way to go on that run!!
Sara says
Great job, Kath! Yes, it’s best to always start really slow. You did really well!
Lyndsey says
Hey, congrats on such an awesome race!! I’m so glad to hear you also flew kites with Mazen. My husband actually owns an online kite store and would LOVE to do a giveaway on your site! If that’s something you’re interested in I can totally put you in touch with him 🙂 www.prokitesusa.com
KathEats says
A giveaway would be fun! Maybe this summer durine a beach trip? Email me – katheats at gmail dot Com!
Tonya says
“Excuse me I need some french fries” HA! Right, Mazen? Sometimes you just need some french fries. LOL He did a great job flying that kite, too.
Emma says
“Excuse me, I need some French fries?” That’s the most adorable thing I’ve ever heard.
Congratulations on your times! I’d love to get down to a ten-minute mile – I’m a real slow poke. Great job.
Melanie G. says
Congrats!!!
Angela says
Well DONE! what a great time that is!
Tamieka says
Way to go!
thanks for the info! I am running this race in a few weeks and heard many rhings.about the hills..I hate hills!