While *just* a 5K (as people like to say for some reason) this race was really important. It was part of a multi race series where points are tallied up and prizes are awarded at the end and a series champion named.

"For each distance, the fastest runner of each gender is awarded 100 points. All other runners receive points based on their finishing time. Points awarded are fastest race time divided by runner's finish time times 100."

I came into this event with the lead but the second place woman was right behind me. I had to win this race to seal the deal. In fact, to stay on top I had to win all 6 races. Each one I entered had more pressure to compete than the last.

Anyhoo, I lined up towards the front and tried to relax a little. The countdown started. Then 3, 2, 1 and we were off.

I tried to take advantage of the nice little downhill, keeping my shoulders relaxed and turnover quick. We got to the bottom of the hill and I shifted gears. I wanted to get up quickly but also didn't want to expend too much so early on. The hill probably had a 300' gain or so. When we got to the top we took a hard 90 degree turn onto the trail and continued to go up.

There were several distance races going on that had different start times and different loop variations so it was hard to tell where I was. The terrain changed a lot from asphalt to concrete to single track trail and then more of a gravel service road. This was unlike most of the other events in that it wasn't on one of the more remote mountain parks. This was in a suburb housing community that had a network of trails in the greenbelt. That being said, the trails were very well-groomed which was nice, no tripping hazards to watch for.

As we neared the highest point I was really suffering. I had a not-so-great race the weekend before and was really hoping I wasn't going to do it again. I saw a woman way out in the distance and really started beating myself up. I didn't want to lose the series because I couldn't HTFU but I was struggling to find another gear.

I really tried to summon some strength and focused on one foot in front of the other. I let er rip down the steep descents, increasing my cadence. This is always really uncomfortable but very effecting. It makes my gait feel choppy but I can feel the speed increase.

We had another big climb and there was a cluster of guys all running what I assume was the marathon distance. They took up the whole trail. I called out, "on your left" and they eventually moved. They were really nice but really oblivious.

Once I passed them there was a little more up and down and then I broke out of the trees. I made a hard turn onto the sidewalk and then followed the cones down a small flight of stairs, past the coffee shop (lol) finally there was one more short asphalt descent (kind of steep) with a sharp 90 degree turn to the finish.

I ran as hard as I could through the chute. I looked around to see how poorly I had done, expecting to see a few women hovering around. I only saw one guy with his hands on his knees recovering. The race directer ran up to me and said, "Wow That was a very fast time for this course! You won it! You won it!" Which was absolutely shocking to me. I said, "no way." still totally disappointed. Then he said,, "No really, you did! You got the course record!"

I was completely shocked. I thought I had not only done terrible at the race but completely blown the series. I'm not sure why I felt that way. It just felt so hard. But I guess that is just the thing, these races never get easier.

It took a while for me to cheer up a little and realize I had done it, I had won the series! I treated myself to a coffee and then walked around. They had an excellent post race party complete with hot air balloons, beer garden, free BBQ and cool booths.

Finally I made my way to the beer garden. A couple of the guys who had been competing in the series were there and stuck up conversation. If anyone remembers one of my race reports, there was this guy shouted at me how happy he was to finally beat me. Anyway, he was there and said, "Maaaaan, you beat me again!" He ended up being really nice. We all chatted about our favorite races, whats next etc. Finally it was time for the awards. Hoka was a big sponsor of the series and, not to sound ungrateful but I was REALLY hoping the prize wasn't a pair Hokas. The announced the second place female, and...drum roll...a pair of Hokas! And then first place...WOOOHOOOOOOO a Suunto watch!!!! Now, you all know how I feel about watches by now but this thing has an altimeter and a compass on it which is great for all the mountain running and mountaineering I have been doing.

I had been having a pretty rough couple of weeks but I looked down at my medal (actually it was a super cool carved wood "medal"), Evergreen Series woman's first place overall and felt pretty damn proud of myself.


http://www.webscorer.com/seriesresult?seriesid=39748&gender=F

Did a little jogging then hot air balloon, coffee, beer and awards


Just gotta keep working at it. I have a lot to improve on in both uphill running and down.