My cousin was also running this race so I met up with her just before the start and dropped my stuff off in her car since I had run there. Also, a reporter from the newspaper was there and he cornered me.
Him: So, who's going to win?
Me: Gosh, I don't know.
Him: Is it going to be you?
Me: Probably not, there are men here.
My cousin: YES! She's going to win
Him: Is that so? Are you fast?
Me: Fast is a relative term
My cousin: SHE'S GONNA WIN! (hooting and hollering and giving thumbs up and stuff)
Him: (laughing) You're right, fast IS relative. I can't argue with that.

I lined up in the front (I needed every second on Mary Cain that I could get ;) ) and BSed with a few of the guys. One was a triathlete and we had the same shoes. We talked shoes for a bit and then he told me he wanted to break 20 today. I told him I had been sick and originally I wanted to break 20 but I would just have to see how it went.

I knew my legs were ready to run. I have had a nasty cold that has reduced my mileage by about 25% but I was unsure of how hard I could push aerobically.

The gun went off and we quickly thinned out. There were 4-5 men in front of me and the sub-20 guy just behind me. My plan was to be conservative until I hit the track, lay down some solid splits on the track and take advantage of the flat even surface and then just try and hang on to the finish.

I was going to stay with the sub 20 guy but the pace seemed a tad slow so I just did my own thing. Some of the leaders slowly dropped off pretty early on and it was down to 3 of them. I hung back for a while but either they slowed down or I sped up because I was on their heels as we entered the second park. I am not a fan of front running so I stayed here for a while. As we hit the zig zag portion there was only one guy in front of me. An over-eager high school student it appeared. We got to the portion where we had to cross the oncoming runners and sure-as-sh*t I had a full speed collision. I tried the stutter step dance thing but ended up blasting the poor guy.

I recovered and pulled back in behind the high school guy as we hit the track. I figured I could use some of his over-eager high school energy against him here by making it and honest race and pushing him. I knew I had the endurance to hold strong but it would be questionable who had the kick. He tucked in right behind me for the 3 laps on the track and then we headed back towards the finish. There was another guy who had pulled up into our pack. We headed through the park and back onto the road. The new guy (about my age) pulled up next to me. We were pretty even paced. About three quarters of a mile out the HS kid made his move and pulled in front of me and the new guy. It was too early for me to chase so I let him go. The new guy and I kept on pace and eventually overtook the highschooler about a half mile out. I was in a good groove so I pulled ahead of the new guy. "Great job!" he said as I passed. I told him to come with me but he said he was totally spent and was just trying to hang on. So I accelerated as we rounded the corner to the finish. I just tried to hang onto my pace as I knew he wasn't far behind and managed to cross ahead of him.

The reporter ran up to me and high fived me telling me he knew I was going to win. I caught my breath and we did a short interview. The finish line pic below is the one from the paper.

Here is the video, you can see me run in at the end: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAeUJG68cPo&feature=youtu.be





So clearly this time wasn't one that would actually pull an OA win in more competitive races. It might be a women's OA contender but who knows. Anyway, I know that but it was fun anyway!

It was a well executed race. I guess not colliding with that poor guy and not having to race sick would be good!

Did the interview, chatted it up with a bunch of people. People were treating me like I was a celebrity. Everyone was very excited a woman beat the dudes.

After all that and doubled back on the course and found my cousin and ran with her then I got a FREE massage!!! I have never had a post race massage and it was the best thing EVER! Minus the fact that my nose was running so bad when I was laying face down that my snot went from my nose to the ground in a steady stream. Gross.


Just a touch sick, but I think the forced taper really helped.


Other than the issue with the course it was so great, especially for an inaugural race.