This year would be the second year running this course and I was excited to be running a nice and SHORT 10K run since I am only 7 days away from my 2nd marathon and inundated with marathon training.
This week was taper week and also a very busy crazy hectic stressful week so my training had been off. I wasn't able to get in my normal training runs and had to stick to short and sweet runs. Being that they were short n sweet I made sure to make them COUNT! Did many tempo runs and hill runs and was shocked at the times I was posting and how strong and fast my legs felt. In fact I pondered whether I should just give up long distance running and learn how to sprint 5Ks!!!
A few days before the race I tweaked my shoulder beating the hubby in an informal 100 push up challenge and was also slowed down by the terrible vog. Immediately before the race this morning hubby asked me, "Are we racing?" I answered honestly, "Not sure" but knew that the type A competitive person was sure to come out if I was feeling good.
We got to the start of the line and the very loud gun startled me. As we took off down the bridge I didn't know what to expect but I knew that since we were very close to the starting line we'd be starting with the very fast pack. I decided to go out and just run with no expectations.
This first mile is on the bridge which is an active Draw Bridge so there are a series of "hills." Since they're in the first mile they're not too bad. We passed the Pearl Harbor Memorial and headed onto the island. The island is beautiful and reminiscent of old Hawaii military life. The homes are well kept as is all of the island, but it is HOT and humid there and I knew that the heat coupled with the vog would be a factor. Therefore I tried to keep an even pace and concentrated on my breathing. I recently became a yogaphile and I have been doing yoga breathing on my runs with great success. I find that I am able to control breathing without getting labored, huffing and puffing like those around me, and able to keep my chest and diaphragm very relaxed. For the first 3 miles I was feeling great and holding a 8:42 minute pace. At this point I was running with the hubby and he was doing fine.
At the half way point which is a long black top roundabout we encountered a runner in trouble. She was experiencing a severe asthma attack and loudly gasping for air. The run crew were trying to get her help and eventually the ambulance came to get her. I really hope she was okay. Seeing her reminded me to concentrate on my breathing and listen to my body. I slowed it down a little there and told myself to stay relaxed for another mile.
After mile 4 I was surprised how good I felt so I picked up the pace. I lost the hubby by then and my mantra became, "Stay strong and focused." I knew I was running a very good race so I wanted my mint to stay mentally engaged. I ran mile 4 fabulously and took a drink of water at the aid station and 2 chomps so that I could finish strong.
I knew mile 5 was filled with the draw bridge hills and I was determined to run strong. At the first hill I saw some people walking the hill and that motivated me to be strong. I reminded myself how much hill work I do and challenged myself to beat as many people up the hill as possible. Glancing at my watch I noticed that I was very close to the PR I set last month. I didn't want to get my hopes up but stayed focused and ran my race.
Hill 1 in mile 5 wasn't so bad but it was followed directly by hill 2 which would take us to the finish. I passed a lot of people on this hill using pure guts. My pride and guts pushed me up that hill and around to the finish. One more glance at my watch said I could beat my PR by 10 seconds. I hauled ass to the finish line as hard as I could.
Success! A new PR and still feeling good and strong at the end of the race. I beat my time form last year's run by a good 3 minutes and I felt physically and mentally strong. All the yoga, push ups, planks, core work, squats, and lunges have made a huge difference on my body and I am amazed with the results.
Another fun and amazing race in the books!!!!!
Time 53:22, 8:36 pace, 376 overall and 8th in my age group!!!
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