On Monday I ran a local 4k with my parents and the hubby.
Last year I ran this race with a time of 28:39. My goal had been to get in under 30:00 (watch time – there’s a timing mat only at the end of the race). It was REALLY hot and sunny last year so I was hoping it would be more pleasant this year. This year I just planned on having fun and wanted to come in under 30:00 again. Beating last years time would be an added bonus.
We arrived around 8:15 to pick up our goody bags and shirts. The weather we pretty comfortable – mid 70s, and the sun wasn’t too strong. We I just relaxed and snapped a photo before moving into the line up.
I'm not appreciating how that shirt is hitting me... may be the last time I wear it for a race.
Since it is a Fourth of July race, the “gun” was a firecracker, we were instructed to go off at the “boom.” The first .5 miles are totally downhill so I probably went out a little too fast. But I knew from running the race last year it would be all uphill from then on, and it didn’t disappoint.
The last hill is a "category 5" according to mapmyrun.com
Luckily the sun was staying behind the clouds, unlike last year. Unluckily I ran into some GI issues (what else is new, grr) around mile 1.0 at the beginning of the multi-crested hill. I knew I had to take a walk break, so I did. I started to feel better as the race progressed but I couldn’t make up the lost time. As I finished the last bit of the hill I went into full on sprint mode for probably the last 0.3. I wanted to break 30:00. I had to.
And I did. Barely. 29:54. I’m just adding it to the not-so-great race bucket and figuring its more added experience. I guess that’s the thing about running, you never know how you’re going to feel until you’re running.
Onto the next one!
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