I wasn't sure how to feel when I signed up for this race, this was part of a bet with my sister in-law and I was just in it finish and prove her wrong. I signed up for the 10k clinic not knowing what to expect as I had heard that Stephanie was tough and that this was not going to be a walk in the park. That proved to be true but I also learned alot about my self and what I was capable of and that I could run 10k (actually 14k).
We had our last run the wednesday before the race and it was awesome so that was a good sign. Picked up my race kit the next day with me running partner Josee. We had our last clinic the night before and we all went to Darcy McGee's for supper, I had pasta becasue that's what I was told I should eat.
The morning of the race DW let me sleep in and I got up around 9:00, I had a bowl of Vector and then we did our usual saturday routine, groceries. I had supper around 4 and hit the road for the RR in orleans to pick up some of the other clinic members. As it turned out noone was there and it worked out good becasue I forgot my Garmin and had to head back home. I knew I had plenty of time, I had planned on parking at World Exchange Plaza and got there around 5:30. I noticed the sign that the garage was full and I panicked since I was trapped in the line up and thought I would miss my race. I eventually found a spot after a few illegal turns and headed off to meet the group. I had forgot to use the bathroom and was off again to find a porta potty, the line ups were long so again I panicked then remembered the Timmies across the street so after a quick stop it was off the the corals. We were in the purple coral (71-80 mins) so it was a bit of a hike but I was glad becasue it wasn't too crowded. I picked this coral becasue when I signed up I had no idea what to select and that sounded like good time.
Once the gun went off it took us 8 mins to cross the starting line and we were off. We started out slow and kept checking our pace we were trying to stay around 6:30-7:00. We passed the 65min pace bunny and things were good. At the 5 K mark there was a hill and as we learned it training we just beared down and went for it. We were passing people and the crowd was cheering us on as we made out way up. One lady I passed asked me were we got the energy and I told her lots of hill training.
At 6k is where everything started to fall apart. Josee has been having foot issues and her foor went numb, she stopped to massage it a bit and forced me to go on alone. I reluctantly went as she said she would catch up to me. Things were going well till around the 7k mark, I started to feel a little off. The sun was now right in my face and I think the heat was starting to get to me. I slowed down my pace and decided I would run to the next water station and then take a walk break. I made it and managed to get 2 cups of water in me a a couple over my head, that seemed to help and then kept on going. I was starting to get on pace again, I passed over the pretoria bridge and under the queensway were I met Judy (our wonderfull store manger from Orleans) and she gave me a high five and told me to keep going. I wasn't sure I could.
I made it to the next water stop and decided I better take another walk break if I want to be able to run it home. I walked to the 800 metre sign when I got a tap on the shoulder and it was Josee, she caught up and was urging me to run it home with her. I started running knowing full well I would not be able to run 800 metres at a full on sprint so I slowed down and paced my self. At 300 metres I spotted DW and DS and went and gave DS a high five and he was yelling "go daddy go" well that gave the motivation to sprint it home.
I finished at 1:10:57 (6:59 avergae pace) which was faster than the corral I was in, but I thought I could have done better. That being said it was a PB for me and I guess I have nothing to be ashamed of. Stephanie always told us it that it wasn't the time that was important but wheither you finished upright and smiling and I guess I can say that I did.
This being my first race weekend it was abit overwhelming for me with all the people but it was a experience I will never forget. I will definitely be back next year hopefully running the half, we will just have to wait see about that.
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