Vancouver's Hot Chocolate Run - Run

Wooooot! 3rd woman overall. Whaaaaaaat? I have not been on a podium since I was a kid :)

I was standing at the start and I got asked by a couple women if I knew if the 10km was starting first and then 5km. I said yes, then chatted with one of them for a couple minutes. 10km was off, so I went up to the front for the start. <-------------------- That is funny in and of itself. I NEVER start at the front. But, what the hell. I am thinking a goal time of 25minutes, but not sure if it is doable.

The first 500ish meters was downhill, and was fast. First km was 4:41 which is redonculous, but downhill, so okay. I was going to tell myself to back off, then I thought, nah, I'm not going to 'arbitrarily limit myself'. Someone once said that to me. So, I am merrily running along, going at a fast but not outrageous pace. I hear someone coming up behind me and just sort of hanging there. I knew it was a woman--not sure how I knew, but I did. I knew I was up towards the front as I hadn't really been passed by anyone. So, she goes past me and it is the woman I was speaking to at the start line. She has on a lime green shirt, so easy to spot. I figured I would just tuck in behind her for a bit, keep her close.

We hit 2km and it is 5:09. Ok, slower, but no downhill. I'm ok with the pace, but figure I can pick it up a bit. Maybe 25:00 IS possible. Green shirt still just ahead of me. I pick it up just a bit, and I go past her just before the turnaround. I figure she would come back up, but I just keep running my pace. I am counting women coming back after the turnaround and I count 2. Hmmmm, this is interesting...

Approximately 3km and I hear someone behind me--nope it's all good it's a dude. Hit 3km at 5:06. Mentally do the math: 4:41 leaves me 19seconds, I have used up 15 in km 2 and 3. Gonna have to go, Wilson! Just past 3km, my right hamstring feels a little tight, but nothing comes of that, phew! I get to 4km at 4:58 and I am now thinking about puking. I decide to hold off on that :) As I turn the corner to start up the hill to the finish, I look back for green shirt--she's a ways back, but close enough to catch me if I slow at all.

So, now I have established that I CAN run 5 min kilometers. The question is, can I get up that last hill that fast? Well, the answer is yes! Got to the top, could see the finish line and went for it. Holy crap I did it! Sub 25min.

I never hang around for awards, but I was, ummmmmmm, hopeful :). They said they were doing the 5km awards at 10:45; I had a meeting at 1:30 and had to find a community center pool to grab a shower. Should be doable. 11:15 rolls around and they haven't started yet. I see results are posted, so I go have a look. Well, it is overall men and women. Is Shira male or female? Chris? I *may* be third... I decide to wait another few minutes; thankfully it was shortly later that they called my name as third OA woman! $25 GC plus a pair of shoes :). I have no idea if I will be able to wear them, but who cares I podiumed!!!

Not much. I didn't puke, but I was not far away!

Eating food and drinking hot chocolate?


Speed.