Shea and I do run/walk for our runs. She wanted to go easy today, like 4/1. I wanted to push her today, like 6/1. We split the difference and settled on 5/1. Because most of the first mile was downhill, we skipped our first few walk breaks and waited until we were climbing to start in on the 5/1. We held to the 5/1 pretty steady, but would skip a break if we were heading down and then take it when we started to climb.

The first 5 miles flew by and we were having a blast!! Shea felt strong, we were just happy and enjoying the day. Around 3-4 miles, we were climbing and the opposite way the leaders were coming downhill and cruising. Super fun to cheer them on. Then we'd pick women to cheer on and yell out the men they needed to catch ("Pink-shirt, go get that man in the red hat, don't let him beat you!!!") That was really fun to see people come alive and smile.

We chatted (loudly) as we are want to do. On the climbs, I'd be using mantras to keep Shea positive, and more than once someone else thanked us for the mantras and the help getting them up the hills. A few people gave Shea props and high fives, which was sweet.

Hitting 10K was fun (mentally we talked about running 3x5Ks), but Shea was dragging. I fed her Honey Stinger Chews frequently starting around mile 3. Her feet hurt, she wanted walk breaks even if we were going downhill. It was hard for her. Around 7 miles, I gave her pep talks about pushing and not leaving anything out on the course. Dig deep, ask if you can give more, and if you can, do. I'd give her the neighborhood equivalents of our remaining distance ("It's just like running home from the traffic light at Dairy Queen... piece of cake!!").

People were encouraging her, I was giving her the old "22 minutes to go! We can do anything for 22 minutes!!" speeches now and again. At 8.2 miles I told her we had 1.1 to go. I told her I was going to be mean and allow her just one more walk break (we still had some downhill). I told her she could choose when to take it, but she only got one. At .9 to go, she said, "Mom, can we take advantage of this downhill and get some free speed?" I said sure. So she goosed up the pace. And kept goosing it... I thought when we hit some uphill she'd grab one more walk break, but she never did. The closer we got to the end, the faster she went. It was getting harder to stay with her!! She was passing people like crazy, darting in and out, not paying attention to me (good!), just running like mad. I saw her teachers at the end (3 of 'em) -- Shea ran so fast they spotted me but she had already passed them, LOL!!! Last .37 miles, my Garmin clocked 7:45 pace. Yowza!! Mile 9 was a 9:39, so she was moving there too. Good grief! Loved it!! She was sooooooo proud at the end!! I was so proud too! What a gift of a day!!!

If had my druthers, I would have had Shea running more mid-week miles, but it's so hard with her sports and school and life, and I never wanted to MAKE her run -- it had to come from her. So really, who cares -- I wanted her to be able to finish this race, not get injured and to have fun doing it. Mission accomplished.

We met up with her teachers (two current 5th-grade teachers, and her last year's 4th-grade teacher) for hugs, photos, congrats, etc. Then it was time for chocolate!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We got our mugs with hot chocolate, and chocolate fondue with a giant marshmallow, banana, wafer cookies, rice krispy treat, and pretzels for dipping. YUM!!! Ate that up, then did some shopping, then had a Dick's cheeseburger (and strawberry shake for Shea) that was right across from where we parked. Good recovery eats!!


Nada!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


A well-run race! Super organized, everything on time, fun location. Shea needs more water than every 2 miles, but I carried a bottle so she was covered. No worries. We had a blast and I would totally do this race again. Great sweatshirt swag, too!!!