This was a small race- only 100 contestents doing anywhere from a 5K, a 10K or a 15K. This race was $1 a K and thus had no T-shirts (fine by me) or medals for the age group winners (which is fine, but dang, I got first in my age group!).

So we all started together in a pack. I followed the crowd and made sure to keep my pace. I wanted to keep a 9:30 minute mile for the whole run.

I pulled down my visor, turned up my music and kept my focus. I have come to realize that when I run I have to really withdraw into myself and not get distracted. I have to focus on my running and breathing. I also have to focus on NOT WALKING just because it sounds like a good idea and it feels good.

I wasn't sure how my performance would be, since I did a sprint tri the day before (PRed the run with a 8:15 minute mile)... and my left hamstring was very tight and sore.

I told myself to focus on running, not the tightness or any pain. Run. Keep running. That's all I was allowed to think about. I guess it worked, because I kept running. In fact, I never stopped and walked at all. I have walked in my other runs, if only for a few seconds- but not today, not this time.

I was getting a little tired around miles 3-4, but reminded myself that 6.1 miles is nothing. I had this. I ran 6 miles the weekend before at 9:30 ish minute mile no problem. I could do it again.

I took in a gel at mile 3. I normally wouldn't do this for a 6 mile run, but since I didn't eat breakfast and I was riding afterwards, it seemed like a wise decision. And it was.

Just kept trucking along. When the last mile came I just kept reminding myself that I had it and I was ahead of my goal time of 59:16 (ran 6 miles in that the previous weekend and I wanted to beat that time).

I beat that time all right... woo-hoo... another PR!!!

Crossed the "finish line" and turned in my chip. Walked around for a few minutes and then sat down and rested. Made sure there weren't awards, as I was pretty sure I placed in my AG due to there being such a SMALL field of runners.

I am proud to say though that I got first in my age group by 2 minutes and beat 6 other ladies. That's history in the making for me!


Then I got up and walked back to my car- it was time to ride my bike! Met a friend and rode for 1.5 hours- and it hurt really bad. HA!

Although the race was bare bones without any fan-fare... I'll give it a rating of 4. The important stuff was in place. They had the course marked, timing chips were used, drink stations were available, and there were some bagels at the end. I don't really need another T-shirt, so I was happy paying $10 for a basic running race. I really used it as my motivation to actually get out of bed early on Sunday to run. It worked! I would do another one of these again! I heard they are hosting on on 8-9-09, but I will be out of town.