Races

Everyone of us has their favorite and not so favorite races! Whether it be an awesome PR, the beautiful scenery or the company you keep on a race; you too will hold a special place in your heart (or feet) for yours. Here are a few of mine...

Favorites:
6/7/2015 Acadia Half Marathon Maine:  #4 of my 50 States 1/2 Marathon goal #oneineachstate. Acadia national park is amazing!! Absolutely breathtaking. This half marathon was very hilly which I've grown to enjoy. There's something about rolling hills that keeps my legs happy. I find the challenge of each up makes the time go by much faster, annnnd atop of each hill is another amazing view of the ocean with a slight rewarding breeze. Another added bonus: My husband decided to run alongside me for this race. He is much faster than me so typically he is waiting for me at the finish line, not this time...we crossed together at 2:01:55 making this a new PR for the 2015 season. We received mason jar glasses instead of medals which was super cool to drink out of for the rest of the day.

6/9/2015 Corporate Challenge: This is a 3.5 mile race that includes local businesses with huge annual turn out. Its always super hot and usually I find myself running by some racers on the side of the rode requiring medical assistance due to the heat-I think this has held me back in the past. Not this year; I went out fast!! By the time I gazed down at my watch and saw that I was running 7:15 pace I decided to just keep going. Mile 1 & 2 flew by. It's is an out and back course, so I was able to distract myself from my screaming legs and quick breath by watching all the other runners past by. Coming up on mile 3, the speed was taking its toll and I thought about slowing down....NO! Push through the pain, I thought, you can do anything for a mile. Then up ahead I saw a very tall, fit, man wearing the same team shirt as me. Although I've never met him at the hospital where I work, I knew by our logo on his back he was one of us. I pushed harder and passed him. Then in my peripheral vision, I saw he was trying to catch me. Oh no, mister that ain't happening! I flew across the finish line with my fastest time yet 3.5 miles 27:53 (7:53 avg pace). After I grabbed a bottle of water and convinced myself I'm not going to pass out, Mr. tall man came up and gave me high five congratulating me on my victory against him...pure bliss!

Up next...Ragnar ADK

Not so favorite:
If you're wondering why these aren't completed please refer to blog post 'finding time'

Rodeo beach-San Fransisco


San Francisco is AMAZING! I love it there. This race started on the other side of the golden Gate Bridge. We arrived early enough so that there was plenty of parking. The start Line was on a beach which was gorgeous.

 I saw a bunch of runners warming up with camel backs on and knew right then that I was probably over my head. The 50k runners started first and up and up they went. I reviewed the profile of the course prior to signing up, however I didn't actually appreciate what 1,000 ft climb meant. I was doomed from the beginning.It was freezing cold and super windy. I saw a couple people in wet suits running to the ocean to catch some waves, so I decided to suck it up and jog in place for warmth. 
The race director gave us a quick briefing and we were off. Up and up we went and my thighs were burning. people were walking within the first mile and I thought to my self, this is a race! Get running people! 

Then I thought, wait this is mile one of thirteen-maybe they know something I don't know and I should follow suit. I switched to a brisk walk and found myself climbing the path much quicker than some of the runners-I think Phil was disappointed but I was nervous for what was to come. 

Once at the top the view was definitely rewarding and I stopped to take a picture. Following the peak we ran a slight downhill into this valley that made me think we were in a different world, lush green hill sides with a single track dirt path. As we continued our decent I was fearful that we would have to make that difficult climb again....I was right. The first water stop had a great spread of fuel-granola, bread, fruit, cookies, beef jerky, and best of all super nice volunteers cheering us on. This was only mile 4. We headed off to a gravel road and ran past horses and stables, this was a little pick me up, I LOVE horses! The climb began again but this time along the coast line overlooking Salsilido, although the view distracted me momentarily my legs were slow and heavy and I resorted to walking again.

We crested the top and down again. I cant count how many ups and downs there were but at this point the slightest incline defeated me and I found myself walking. This was the most beautiful race ever but super hard and mentally torture-look the golden gate bridge!.....Crap another hill!

I finished tired, defeated and sore but was happy to have the rest of the day with my husband to celebrate his birthday

Green Lakes Triatholon