RACE DAY!!!!!!

10k (6.2 miles)+ 3.18 miles=

(pardon the pic. I took this of my Garmin with my blackberry)

I have a love/hate thing with races. I love to race. I love the anticipation, the start line, the hope for a good ending, post-race food, the long shower and long nap. But I hate the first 2 miles. I have ALL of my self-doubting thoughts in those first two miles. It doesn’t matter if it’s a 5K or a half trail marathon. The first 2 miles are nothing but dead legs, major cussing, and rolling eyes. I hate the first 2 miles.

Today was no exception.

I woke up with a rumbly tummy and almost cashed out. But I know in the past when I’ve had jumpy stomach, something happens when I start running. My stomach just goes dormant. I rarely have issues during a race. I’ve had trouble up to 15 min. before a long race and was fine once the gun went off. So, I went ahead and decided to race. The weather was perfect and I had been looking forward to this race for a long time. I haven’t run this distance since Colorado last June. I was ready to do this.

I’m in the middle of half-marathon training and I really needed to do an 8 miler. When I got my number and saw an 8 in there, I knew it would be a good race. And I was right.  When I crossed the line, I handed in my bib and kept going. I didn’t stop until I looked down and saw 9. Holy cow. I felt great!

(ugh..phone pic)

Post-race snacks!

And a late lunch!