Race Report: Women Run the Cities

What a BEAUTIFUL day for a run.  Honestly, the weather could not have been better for racing on Sunday - it was perfect.  Cool (but not too cool), still (literally no wind), sunny, clear blue sky, fall color emerging throughout the race course - absolutely, positively gorgeous.

The course was a bit short (per my Garmin) at 9.80 miles - I actually confirmed this with other racers who had GPS watches.  My finish time was 1:26:29!  That's an average pace of 8:47 (8:39 if you assume a 10 mile course)!  I placed 255th out of 941 runners.  I felt great the entire race - it took about a mile for the pack to loosen up which meant my first mile was my slowest at 9:43.  From there on I hit sub 9:00 minute miles with my last three being my fastest - I told you I felt great! 

I got a sweet finisher's medal that I proceeded to wear around the house the rest of the day while I did laundry, cleaned, read my bible - I did take the medal off when we went to the grocery store (but I put it back on when we got home!).  I figure it's not often appropriate to wear a medal in my daily life so when the opportunity comes around I'm taking it!  I think this same philosophy holds true for tiaras. 

Women Run the Cities

I just got back from my first 10 mile run of the year!  I had only planned to run 9 miles but I was feeling so good I decided to keep going.  When I got home I signed up for the Women Run the Cities 10 mile race next week - I like to plan ahead.  The race is on Sunday morning at 8:00 in Minnehaha Park.  I hope to be crossing the finish line around 9:30.  I've heard it's a very well run race and I'm really looking forward to it.  This will be my first 10 mile race of the year but hopefully not my last.  October is shaping up to be a busy month but I'm planning to run the Monster Dash 10 mile race at the end of October.  It will definitely be a challenge to keep up with my running with everything that's going on but I also think it will be a good way to keep myself centered and focused.

I have been LOVING the cooler weather for running.  A couple of times I have started to think it was too cold before reminding myself that soon enough I will be longing for 60 degree weather.  It really has been quite nice for running - especially longer distances.  My Garmin Forerunner 310XT hasn't hurt either!  Yep - I got a running GPS watch for Chris' birthday in August - is he the best husband or what?!  I can't tell you how wonderful and freeing it is to know (with near perfect accuracy) how far I have gone and how fast I am going.  I used to spend way too much time figuring out routes for the different distances I wanted to run.  Now I just walk out my door or drive to my destination and start to run.  Heaven.

Did I mention that October is going to be crazy?  I have all sorts of fun stuff planned and the possibility of some rather significant life changes.  I'll leave it at that for now 1) because I need to get back to living life and 2) because I don't often have the opportunity to leave people wanting more - it's kind of fun!