Soon enough it was time to line up at the start. It was a rare race for me--one whose course I had no idea of and I was a little surprised to know that we had to make two U-Turns at opposite ends of the bike path. I made the decision to not carry water earlier but before the start I decided that I had better take a Shot Blok so I walked to the water station and got some water to drink it with. I lined up slightly to the back of the group and when the siren went off it was awhile before I could get running. I had to dodge a few people on the narrow path but I soon settled in to my pace. I had planned on running the first mile at about a 9:30 pace and then pick it up but as I looked at my watch I was holding a 8:50 pace so I decided to ride it as long as I could. We were heading west with the sun at our back and I felt pretty good. It has been a long time since I ran on the path and I was surprised that it was relatively clean. I wasn't sure how long we would be running this way but at about mile 1.3 I saw the lead runners coming toward me so I knew it would be soon. At about this time my bunion callous began to hurt and I would feel it for the rest of the race. This isn't a new issue but one that I usually get with a certain pair of shoes and socks. :( Poor sock choice! I'll remember that next time.
I was running for the first 1.75 miles but when we turned around at the u turn and into the sun my pace slowed down significantly. I tried to run as hard as I could but I went from a 8:50 pace to 9:20. I continued to tell myself to run strong and held on until the first water stop at about 3 miles. I made the decision there that I didn't want to slow down and stop so I grabbed a cup and threw as much water in my mouth as I could (bad idea). I barely got any water and that would be a problem later on. I continued to run into the sun and guesstimating how far I would have to run until the 2nd turn around. At about mile 3.25 I saw the lead pack coming toward me and I knew it wasn't too much further. A we ran we ran past camp sites, chained up dogs, and other interesting sites and I couldn't help but think what the mainland runners were thinking of the route. Finally I saw the U-turn up ahead, and much to my dismay it was up a little hill. I willed myself to keep going strong and just hung in there. As is my new race strategy I began to look around and see whether any of the other runners were in my age group. I saw one up ahead but I just didn't have the gas to catch her. I kept telling myself that I really hoped that it wasn't going to haunt me later.
I was able to hold pace and gave it my all at 4.5, crossing the finish line smiling and in breath. When the results were posted I was pleasantly surprised to come home with 2nd place but a little ticked that I indeed came in 2nd to the woman I thought was in my age group and only by 20 seconds. I then called the hubby who was still in the van with the sleeping little man and they joined me for the awards ceremony. Since Noah brought home 2 silver medals and one bronze medal at his Track Championship yesterday we joked that it was Daddy's turn to win something. :)
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| The Tropical Triple Crown has been good to me :) |
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