ShamRock 'n' Roll Recap

Hi! 

Yesterday I ran the ShamRock 'n' Roll 10k in Plymouth and I was able to shave 5 minutes off of my last 10k PR.  My chip time was 1:01:30 with a 9:54 average pace.  Since I actually have splits that resemble that of an actual runner I'll share them with you! 

It was really cold Sunday morning (think 20's) and then it started to get windy, really universe?!  Our rental is about a mile from the start so I decided I would run to the starting line and avoid parking.  I am glad I did because there was about 4100 runners and not that much available parking.  When I got there I headed into Panera to avoid the wind chill and use their bathroom.  The line stretched all the way to the back of the building and I knew I only had about 20 minutes to wait so I headed out to find an alternative.  They had 4 porta potties total, 2 in the park and 2 by the public parking plus they opened the public restrooms.  There was a line at all of them but they moved quickly and there was plenty of toilet paper!  Advice to all runners, go to the bathroom before any race even if you feel you don't need to, you'll be glad you did.

There were 2 starting waves for the 10k and I started with the 2nd wave since the 1st wave took off while I was in line for the bathroom.  I jumped into the start towards the front because I felt super fast!  Actually it was because I saw there was a 65 minute pace group behind me and I knew I wanted to break that time at this 10k.  The gun went off and away we all went!

I felt strong starting off and just listened to the sound of the runners and stomping feet.  I was really cold and it took about 2 miles before I warmed up.  I am so glad I brought my cheap Target gloves, they were just enough to keep my hands warm and I didn't end up taking them off till the 4.5 mile mark.  I really worked at paying attention to my body during this race, concentrating on how my legs felt and my stomach.  I also did something kinda silly and really talked myself up during this race, I would say things in my head like "Feel how strong your core is right now", "Your legs are really on their game today."  If I focus in on how I am actually feeling and ignore my own mind games I notice that I am stronger than I realize.

I prepped myself for this race and knew at the 4.5 mile mark I would turn on my music and start to push.  Saving my music for the last part of a race is a trick I learned during the marathon last year.  It gets me out of my body and focuses me on something else.  Looking at my splits I see I could have ran harder and I am going to remember that for next time.  I know I held back in the last mile more than I should have and if I would have pushed it I could have gotten my "A" Goal which was to get a time of 1:00:00.

Running is all about learning what our bodies can do and I learned that this year will be my year to push it.  I am determined to improve on my times and become a stronger runner.  Yesterday I allowed myself to compare to other runners and found myself in a funk.  Then FitFluential posted this on Facebook last night and it pushed out all of the self doubt that was festering.

 

I wasn't allowing myself to savor my new 10k PR because I was to busy focusing on what others accomplished and comparing it to mine.  I cannot compete with other runners, I can only compete with myself and I did just that on Sunday.  I shaved 5 minutes off of my 10k PR from last year and that is awesome!  When I came home with my medal Katherine shouted "Mama, you won!".  Yes Katherine, Mama did win :)

Overall it was a good race, the course was well marked and they had 3 aid stations which I thought was great.  Afterwards you could go into a tent to get a Panera bagel, banana, granola bar and a bottle of water. I didn't stick around much after that because my body temperature was quickly lowering and I was getting really cold.  I walked home along the course so I got to see a bunch of runners out there doing their thing.  I am glad I signed up for this race, even though it was sort of  lonely.  Doing races with your buddies is so much better then going at it alone!  We are 17 days from our flight back to Montana and I am so excited to see some familiar faces.  I really miss my family and friends and I can't wait till we are all reunited.  Homesickness is at an all time high right now!

  Where do you call home?  

What do you do with your race medals and bibs?  
- I hang my medals in my closet on the hat rack hooks and I am debating on what to do with my bibs...thinking garage in front of my treadmill might be a good spot.