No warm-up + almost no sleep the night before + being under an insane amount of stress from school and life = not a good mental place to start a race! The first mile was miserable! I spent most of it cussing to myself about how crappy I felt, how much I sucked, how much running sucks, etc. etc. I was almost ready to give it up after the first mile! I just couldn't find any sort of groove at all. The second mile was a bit better. I tried to mentally "start over" and tell myself to forget about the beginning and just a run a good mile. My pace was still horrible but at least I felt better about it. I still couldn't run any longer than 2 minutes w/out losing focus and stopping to walk, but the cussing died down and I finished and was even able to smile at the finish line. My time was surprisingly not as bad as I had expected. And I didn't get last! I beat an old man wearing jeans and walking...a little boy who was about 6 or 7, and an old lady who had to be at least 70 and looked like she barely had the strength to stand up on her own! lol I was actually relieved to see a few runner looking ppl my age come in after me as well, so it wasn't all senior citizens and small children that I beat!

The course was very poorly marked. The first mile was fine...out around a cone and back along the same trail. Got to see all the speedy people go flying by me on the other side. The course passed through the start/finish line again after the first mile, and as I crossed the winners were coming in to finish! The second mile was a loop on the other side of the starting line. Problem was the turn off for the first part of the loop was a barely visible little single-track. It had a cone next to it but no sign or anything. The people ahead of me kept going straight so I did too, but people coming the other way started yellin to us that we missed the turn and it was supposed to be a loop. So I doubled back and did the loop, but a lot of people I was keeping pace with didn't and just did another out and back, which was a little frustrating. The loop was narrow and didn't add a whole lot of distance but enough to make a difference. Oh well, at least I know I ran the full 2 miles (plus a little bit! lol) A few people did make the turn at the end and ran the loop backwards to make up for it. They definitely need a sign or something there!

Oh and there was no water station. I should've figured that since it was a short race and a free event, but I really needing a drink of water and didn't have a bottle with me.

Know the course (they had a little old man explain it but he was so soft spoken I didn't even realize he was addressing the whole group until he was almost done. I really honestly thought he was just talking to the people in the front row, and was confused because the announcer had said someone was going to explain the course). I think i'll bring water with me next time too. Oh and training would've helped. :) And getting sleep the night before and getting there with enough time to warm up would've helped a lot!

Walked around, stretched, and laid down in the grass to enjoy the morning. I do love mornings once I'm awake for them...it's just the getting out of bed part that's hard!


Lack of training, not knowing the course, and definitely all the craziness going on in my head. It seems that like everything else, my abilities are severely limited by my head games.


This was a great event, especially considering it was free!! It was well put together, the volunteers were great, and aside from the lack of course signs it appeared very professional. I was surprised there wasn't much post race stuff. I had expected people to hang out for a while and talk, but most people just finished their run and left. I guess you gotta get there early for the social part! Anyway, I am very impressed with this group and plan to head out again for their next month's race!