I was anxious to race again to get that bad run out of my system. I wanted to run a smart race, finish strong and have a good time! I focused on my eating for another week and got down to my happy racing weight (132).
(ignore random clothes strewn about!)
Unfortunately the Wednesday before race day I caught a cold that the girls had. No fever thankfully, just congestion, tight chest, cough and headache kind of sick. It made me even more determined to run logically. Hold back a bit at first and depending how I felt I could turn it on for mile 4-6. The fact that I was sick and that this was a new course took a lot of pressure off this race for me. I had no previous PR that I needed to beat and I could ease up a bit because I wasnt feeling great. I just kept reminding myself that one of the reasons I run and race is because I love the energy and atmosphere and I was out there to have fun, not win every time.
The Port Alberni Paper Chase was being held again after a 15 year absence from the race series. The course is tough! Up and down constantly. There is no flats. For 10k you either pushing up hills or trying to make up for the hills on the down portions. So I knew going into it I wasnt going for a new personal 10k best. I just wanted to set a baseline to improve upon :)
(start line selfie with my uncle)
The weather was sunny and about 6 degrees by the time the race started. After the overheating disaster of the last race I wore a tank top and shorts and was happy I did! I also changed up my breakfast pattern after showing up hungry to the last race. I ate my oatmeal at 6am when I got up and then at about 8 I had a bagel with PB and banana. I decided I would try to aim for 7:15 pace, but really had no idea with it being a new course.
We started out and I felt pretty good. I consciously reminded myself to hold back and settle in. The first mile split beeped at 7:14 and I felt pretty good about that. The second mile split was 7:07 and I reminded myself to settle down. The third mile had the out and back section which was set up all wonky, you rounded the cone and had to come back and cross paths with all the runners who will still on there way out. I hope they fix that for next year! My third mile split was 7:16 so right on target. Mile 4 was a tough one with a long uphill climb and I slowed down a bit to 7:23. I could see one of my running nemesis's ahead of me at the top of that hill and tailed her for a while about 50-100ft behind it made me pick my pace back up to 7:10 for that mile.
Seeing her ahead of me I knew I was probably in 3rd place for my age group. At the 5 mile marker I heard someone come up behind me. As she passed me and pulled ahead a step I took a quick glance and saw it was a girl in my age group. I realized there was 1 mile to go and I had a good amount of energy left. That was all I needed. I knew this section of the course well and that I only had a couple blocks until there was a nice downhill section. I just went for it and felt strong and fast coming down the home stretch. I ended up hitting around 6:20 at this point. I turned the corner to finish line and heard someone cheer me on. It was just the boost I needed to get me up the last hill :)
I ended up finishing 3rd and the girl who pulled up beside me at mile 5 finished 8 seconds behind me. I was pretty damn happy, it meant I got a medal which I didnt think I was going to get this season. But most of all I was happy I ran a smart race and finished feeling strong. That was more important to me. I had a good time and enjoyed the race!
getting my medal
My uncle also ran a really good race and he did it the whole time carrying drumsticks! It was in honor of his friend who was a drummer in a band they were in together who recently had a stroke.
My running buddy also placed 6th so it was a good run all around!
The pictures from this race make me laugh I am practically giddy I am so happy. I just felt so much better than the last race and you can see it in every photo with the huge smile on my face!
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