This was my first 10k. I was excited and nervous. Anytime I do a specific race for the first time I'm always nervous.
Of course what made me a little extra nervous morning was the fact that I dreamt that I was late waking up and missed the race completely. (First time I have ever dreamt about race, does this make me more of a runner?)
So I usually make shirts for my races to reflect my personality or the race. This go around I made a race to reflect that the race was for the veterans and I have veterans in my family, quite a few.
So this race was dedicated to my family. Grandpa Rapp, Grandpa Walker, Uncle Mike, Uncle Don, Aunt Judy, cousin Carl, and of course my parents. This is for them and I am very thankful I have had them in my life.
So I got up this morning and ate breakfast, something different as I wanted something to give me more energy than the usual cereal, milk and banana I typically eat. So I fixed up some oatmeal, tossed in some protein powder and milk and called it breakfast. It was actually quite delicious and definitely held me over through the race. Which shocked me since I tend to be a ravenous eating machine.
So my wonderful boyfriend who works out there said he would just come after work (10 hour shift from 10 pm to 7 am) and see me off and watch me come in. He was also my camera man.
He likes to try to get candid photos of me which I always seem to catch and make an angry or stony face.
Like me putting my stuff away after grabbing my wallet. Silly man.
Since I knew it was raining I had said something about wearing a long sleeve during the race and Mike offered up his under armor all weather long sleeve which actually fit quite well.
It was nice and sunny when I arrived to pick up my packet but the clouds and rain had followed me and were looming in the distance as we waited for the race to start.
We waited around as some of the directors and local politicians made appearances and announcements. We then followed up with what I think was the SLOWEST rendition of the National Anthem before they announced the 10k runners to line up. It had been raining on and off at this point and I'm not sure if they were trying to stall or if they were just behind. Regardless, you could tell by the sky that we were going to be rained on, regardless.
So they finally blow the horn to go and we are off. About 30 runners for the 10k. Not too shabby and a nice small local race. I'm starting to dig these small town races. They are comfortable and not cramped when running down the road.
The course was relatively level minus the three hills that could have forced less experienced runners to walk. I just controlled my breathing and kept going. While out on the course I got compliments for my shirt from other runners. I also love the community of runners because they can be some of the most kind people you will ever meet. At one point we had come up our last bad hill and caught up with the 5k people that were in the rear half of runners.
I saw this Army guy with his rucksack and ran up to get beside him. I stuck my hand out for a high five and told him he was doing awesome and that I appreciated his service. He said thanks and that we are all looking like Hollywood today. At that point the rain had calmed down. Around mile 3 the sky had just opened up.
Yes, we were running in this ^
Yes I loved it every minute. :)
The guy I had given a high five (bald) had a buddy he was doing this race with. Mike happened to take this picture of them. Most awesome picture of the day if I do say so myself. I would definitely say this is patriotic.
Mike then also got this picture of them after they had crossed. We salute you men and thank you for what you do for this country.
So I saw these men when I crossed the finish line, they were chatting with people from the Veterans home.
I had felt great during the whole race and had been pacing a gal for the entire race. Then I hit mile 5 and was starting to feel it. Was ready to be done. So I got around where I can see the Veterans home and I am thinking, awesome almost done. Well then I had to run down and around to the back side of the home and go up what is the LONGEST driveway EVER to reach the finish line.
I did reach the finish line and could see Mike standing front and center waiting for me. Then I hear a duck call which makes me smile and laugh as I power out the last 300 meters of the race.
You can't see it but I"m smiling in this picture because I heard Mike blowing on the duck call, which also makes everyone at the finish line laugh. I am also so very glad I wore under armor because a white tee and rain do not mix well. I felt like a drowned rat after the race but didn't feel soaked on my upper body. I will be buying many UA shirts in the future. I am convinced of how amazing it is.
My unofficial time is 51:30 and I am happy with that since I typically pace out at 9 min to 9:30 min miles for longer than 4 miles. I will definitely do this race again. It's a town that's got that Midwest charm and definitely a cause I can get behind. The volunteers are also amazing. They stood out in the rain with signs and encouraging words for the runners. To top it off it's great to see the veterans out and participating with nurses in the poker walk/run and enjoying a great atmosphere that is their home. They are well taken care of there at the MO Veterans Home. Kudos to those that work there and help these people daily.
Stay healthy and keep running.
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