When I started running 10 years ago, if you had told me that one day I'd be in the top three finishers for my age group I would have laughed so very hard. If you had said the same thing even just a few months ago I would have adamantly said you were wrong.
And yet, here I am today with a FIRST PLACE finisher's award in my hand! I have been analyzing, and over analyzing this win all day. Scott finally told me tonight to knock it off. I won. It's amazing!
Let's rewind...
A couple months ago Scott and I heard about a fundraiser one mile race my kid's school was having. In the interest of being supportive we signed up. At the time it was just about helping out and running a fast enough mile to make sure I didn't embarrass myself for signing up in the first wave- finishing in 8:30 or faster. I knew I had done that before, but I was coming off of a PR half marathon and wasn't sure what to expect. Then I had a hard time recovering from that race. Normally I'm back to running comfortably within a week of a half marathon. My first truly comfortable run was almost 2 weeks later, only a week from the one mile race. I was definitely concerned about how I was going to confidently put myself in the wave I signed up for. Scott kept telling me it was only a mile, don't overthink it! I got in two fast mile speed workouts, and then it was race day.
I woke up nervous. I have done countless 5k's, 14 half marathons, and 4 marathons, and yet, I was just as nervous for this silly one mile race. But it wasn't silly. I had a goal in mind. My previous 1 mile PR was 7:47 during a one mile time trial back in November. So, I hoped to PR at this race with a time of 7:45 or faster. I knew my biggest hang up would be the weather. We went from late winter type weather, had a two week long spring, and then full blast into summer. I had hopes I could push through whatever weather we had.
Before the race Scott and I met up with Angela and we got a warm up in. About 9 minutes before the race was to start, Scott made a comment about it being weird that no one was at the starting line. He's used to people milling around long before start time and the two of us being lined up at least 15, but usually closer to 30 minutes before we start. Just a few minutes later runners were called to the line. All of a sudden I was nervous again. It was so warm and felt so humid. A beautiful summer morning in the south... unless you were running a race. :)
The running field for this wave was not big and mostly made of of kids. Between the weather and knowing the high energy these kids have, my goal quickly became to not come in last in this wave, with my sub goal still being to PR.
We were sent off and it didn't take long for me to realize I wouldn't be able to get my 7:45. 1/4 mile in I truly thought I was going to be sick. I looked at my watch to see I had been running a 6:30 pace. WHOA! Fast and amazing, but way too fast to start for sure. I slowed a little but it didn't help the sick feeling. I did talk myself down from it, and it later occurred to me that I had a banana with my breakfast. I can't have bananas before I run. I know this! I don't know why I did this time. Maybe it had nothing to do with how I felt in the first quarter of the race, maybe it had a lot, I don't know.
I was in the back of the pack of runners. A few passed me, I passed a few, and there were a couple kids I played leap frog with, but generally I tried not to think about anyone around me. If I couldn't get 7:45 maybe I could still be close to 8. The course was an out and back route on two streets, so I got to see the lead runners fly by me after they turned around. I was surprised, though I shouldn't have been, to see Scott not too far behind the lead runners. It made me happy. He runs so many races by my side and doesn't race his own pace. I'm glad he did this one for himself. (Next time I'll get him to do a 5k at his own pace!) I took the hairpin turn at the half mile mark and made the move to pass a couple students. In the last quarter mile I was passed for the last time by two boys I had been passing back and forth, and then also a couple adults. Also Angela's daughter passed me and Angela came right next to me. I had seen the participant list and knew there were only few ladies in this wave. A competitive emotion hit me and all I could think was, "BEAT ANGELA!" I was fairly sure I did, but it was super close so I wasn't positive.
The second wave began at 9:30 for the other runners and walkers. This group was significantly larger and included my daughter. When they called the group to the starting line I made my way down the street a little bit so I could try to get some pictures of Evie. I got a couple of her at the start, but her finish snuck up on me and she passed back by before I realized it was her. This girl can run! I have hope she'll put her long legs to use and start training with me. She's got an excellent stride. :)
There was a carnival following the race, and the awards were given out a little while later after the two waves were combined and settled. I was confident Scott would get an award and wanted to stay for that. There were many awards for many age groups. I was incredibly impressed with how fast these kids are! When it got to my age group the MC announced the third place winner, then the second place- Angela!! I was so happy for her. At this point I figured I hadn't actually beat her across the finish line. That was ok with me. But then he said my name for the first place winner! I didn't believe it until Scott nudged me to get up. What in the world!? As best I can tell there were 20 women in my age group. I know that most of the ladies in my age group that normally run races and place weren't at this race and that's where my overanalyzing came in. If they had been there, there's zero chance I would have placed at all. So in my silly head I was wondering if it even counted. Of course it did! At THIS race is all that matters. At THIS race I ran hard. At THIS race I placed first in my age group. Of course it counts.
Official stats:
Clock time- 7:59
Watch time- 7:58
Age Group Place- 1/20
Overall Place- 55/283
I need to be better about not comparing myself to others. Enjoy the moments. And never ever doubt where I belong.
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