This past Saturday, I ran the FOLEPI River Trail Classic. It's a 4-mile point-to-point race and all downhill. Well, not quite all, but if you average out the whole course it's definitely downhill.
So, a chance to go really fast. This was my sixth year running this race, and it's become quite the Thanksgiving tradition. My mom walks the 2-mile walk, I run the race, and my Business Man comes to watch. My aunt even joined in the fun this year and walked with my mom!
I thought it'd be fun to look up my past results before I raced this year, to see what type of goal I should come up with for myself. Keep in mind, during my college years (2006-2009), this was typically my first run back after a 2-week break. So I didn't take it too seriously.
- 2006 - 29:20
- 2007 - 29:24
- 2008 - 30:49
- 2009 - 26:12
- 2010 - 26:21
After looking at these times, I determined that I wanted to run sub-26:00. I've had a great fall of PR's, and knew that it was possible.
On Saturday, I woke up to rain and 40* temps. Not quite my favorite for running. The temperature, yes, but accompanied by rain, not-so-much. My least favorite running weather is a cold rain. (Bring on the snow instead!)
But, we made it to the race, and I was on one of the first busses up to the start. (It's a point-to-point, so they bus you the four miles up to the start.)
I warmed up, did a few leg swings & striders, and was ready to go promptly at 9:00am. Too bad some of the runners did not make it on the early busses, so we had to wait an extra 10-15 minutes before they could start the race. I don't mind waiting if the weather's cooperative, but it was cold! Eventually the race director came and blew the horn without so much as a 'get ready'. So it was a mad dash to start the race, everyone trying to get their footing!
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| My mom got some pics toward the finish. |
We started the race, and I settled into a pace that felt very fast, but comfortable. As comfortable as you can be when running a 4-mile race. I never got that exhausted, OMG-so-tired, must-stop-running-now feeling. But, I was definitely ready to be finished during the last mile.
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| So fast the camera couldn't even keep me in focus, haha. ;-) |
Here's my mile splits:
- Mile 1 - 6:18
- Mile 2 - 6:19
- Mile 3 - 6:23
- Mile 4 - 6:16
- Total - 25:16 (6:19 avg)
I was first female, and obviously very happy about my race! I achieved my sub-6:30 pace goal by quite a bit. I also think I have finally learned how to race pretty evenly. So, all in all, a very good day.
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| Soaking wet, but happy. |
And the best thing about this race? (Besides the Avanti's pizza & gondolas afterward...)
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| Posing so pretty... (or so I tell myself...) |
Hoodies! No lame-o cotton t-shirt that you only will wear to sleep. A cozy hoodie to keep you warm all winter. Love it.
I thought this was going to be my last race of 2011, but I found out about a Jingle Bell 5km in a few weeks, so I'm pretty sure I'll be racing that as well. I might even try to go sub-19:00! Although that scares me quite a bit.
Comments
:)
Cute hoodie!!!