Throwing myself back into running - Race Recaps

Last year, I made it one of my resolutions to complete a half-marathon in 2014.
When I made that goal, I think 3-3.5 miles was about as far as I had ever ran before.
It was a fairly lofty goal, but I knew I could do it.
I knew I wanted to train to do it.

So what do you do? You train.
And what happens in life? Sometimes you stop training.

But don't fear! I'm back at it!
We had gotten all the way to like 7 miles on the long run when we all got busy with work and school.

To get back on track, we had a few races coming up.
April 26th- 5k
May 3- 10k
May 10- Warrior Dash

That first 5k we had lined up was SO hard. It really went to show how difficult a run can be if you are not on a routine. I think we finished our 5k in right at 40ish something minutes.
I was literally cramping for probably half the race.
And huffing and puffing air.
I was happy we got out there and did it, but dang... I knew I could do better.

Fast forward to next weekend. 10K Weekend!
I had never done an official 10K before.
Not gonna lie, I was pretty nervous about it. I knew I could go that distance, but I wasn't sure about my pace.
I really wanted to come in at 1:45 or under, just for my personal pride's sake.
Not that there's anything wrong with a longer time, I just knew that was my goal.

We rest up good the night before, wake up, I have a protein bar and chocolate milk, like a true racer.
Mom is up getting around too.
Spencer comes over to ride into town with us for the race.

We get there. Noone's there.
I believe it's my mom who brings up the fact that we may be with nothing but hardcore 10Kers.
I blow it off.
PSHHHHH.
There has to be more people.

Does there have to be more people.....?!?!
Really, Bailey?
Because there's not.

It's 14 10Kers (Spartans.... I'm sure of it), including my mom, myself, and Spencer.
Thoughts of coming in last occur.
Not a huge deal. My calm is still there.
But then what if we got swept, or a police car followed us in?
I'd be really sad.

So there was that inner turmoil.
But we all run as a pack, so we just decided that we were going to try to keep an average 14 minute mile. Preferably come in around 1 1/2 hours.

We get our gear, do some stretches (Mom pulled something going to fast out the gate last weekend), and just decide to do it.

When the race started, we all just took off at a decent pace, steady with the other people (a little quicker than I'm used to). A lot of the 10K people left us in their dust pretty shortly after it started. Then we managed to stick with a bunch of 5kers for the first 3 miles.

That is, before they finished and we had to make the loop a second time. I think that was where a lot of my steam left me. I thought we were going to turn around and run the race backwards, not make another circle.

We were alone at this point. Just me and my three amigos. Running.
I started cramping up on my side and on the top of my foot, like the anklebone.
Thank god we run together or I would have pretty much wanted to walk it in.
Also, so thankful for my polar watch that all but says "You're going slow!!!!!!!!!!" and makes me step it back up.

Also, there wasn't a water station. And the race started at 9, so it was pretty sunny out. I was soooo thirsty, and mentally, not being able to take a drink, was a big deal.
Understatement, a huge deal.
So much so that I asked a volunteer where it was.
I probably would have ran an extra mile just to get to it.
Maybe....

Anyway, we finally get to the downtown area. We know we are so close, BUT the signs have been taken down. We didn't know where to go.
We literally ran an extra block, because we were confused.
That with the water were some serious dampers, but ya know...



Anyway, we get turned around (the right way) and start sprinting in.
This is my absolute favorite part of the race. The hauling A for probably 30 seconds to beat Mom and Spencer lol. I don't always win the sprint, but it's a hoot.

And there we were. Finished.
A 10K down in our books.
Eyes on the half now.
Accomplished.
Motivated.

Turned it off a little after stopping, and this had extra block. 1 1/2 hours was what my polar said, I was thrilled. 

Finished!

BTW- because there were only 14 10Kers and not many in my age group, I got a medal! I'll take it!! :)

Proof lol