Race Report and Sandy Pocket Passes Out!

My Baby...Sandy Pocket's Mom

I adore this woman...and mom...and daughter and wife(to Lifeguard).

Sandy Pockets who will soon be RE NAMED for the second time, to HE WHO WAVES STICKS,  came to the race today.  He and his MOMMY woke up at their "usual" time and we picked them up for the EVENT.  BS is suffering from some tendonitis issues and has opted to rest for a week or????  It seems like the only thing left for him to do.  Well, besides cheer...

The 10k wasn't HUGE by So Cal standards.  I didn't see any familiar faces from up near our house but it was a great day for a trail run.  Kind of overcast, cool and the trail was actually WOODSy...as woodsy as it could  be nestled between San Diego University and a housing development.  After a mile or so,  I felt like I was running in the Laguna Mountains so my brain and I were easily fooled.  Another thing I did today to FOOL my brain was to run sans GARMIN.  He and I haven't had a love fest lately.  Our training runs are enjoyable and he really is quite helpful for keeping me in line but come the races....he's just getting into my head.  This happens from time to time but I want to rely on my own awareness of pace and how I feel at this pace, rather than just NUMBERS.


Sorry Dude, I'm choosing flow over function.  AND IT WORKED.

I started the race knowing that everything was in place.  As I expressed in the previous post,  my 10k training plan has been a GOD SEND.  I actually bless the blogger who mentioned it in her blog and here it is:  http://www.runningplanet.com/training/10K-training-program-advanced.html
I just feel like my body is once again, itself, and my leg strength is back 100%.  It has made me think a lot about my marathon training and I am going to really consider taking this fall off from marathon training and concentrate on half marathons and the faster, yet, shorter distances.  I feel like my body could use the rest and my mind seems to really like the refocus!  As I've been getting fitter with my 10k training, my "issues" have healed and my hips, it band and foot have been just getting stronger.  IT all makes sense. I'm throwing some swimming back into the mix.  I'm excited.



Back to the race...

I took off towards the front of the pack and managed to just feel totally relaxed during the first three miles.  I did see one girl/lady up ahead and I decided that she would be the motivation to stay steady.  I was determined to catch up to her,  in time.  The hills started at mile 2,  I passed a coach from a team who was very supportive and encouraging. HIs words pumped me right up and over the first hills. I think the short hill sprints and other hill repeats I've been doing weekly, have helped.  I just didn't even give the hills too much  thought and  I knew once I caught up to yellow shirt, I could relax again.  The rest of the race was just FUN,

I had no idea about pace but once I crossed the fourth rocky creek, I knew I was close to the finish and no one was in sight.  In the distance,  I heard the call of the cowbell and I imagined Stick Waver, his mommy and BS standing at the finish line and I started to pick up my pace, only to be slapped by a very, very, very winding trail that slowed me right down.  It was the craziest thing ever...to be running like crazy and then hit a path that wouldn't let me run faster.  It was just a meandering path that said, "SLOW DOWN, enjoy the ride."  So I did, letting the cow bell guide me.

Suddenly, I saw them up ahead, ran like crazy and gave Stick Waver his first high five from grandma in a race.  I'm so used to him chanting "Grandpa Races, Grandpa Races!" that his "Grandma Races!" made me smile from ear to ear.

First woman finisher!!  That's what they said when I crossed the finish line.  I was totally shocked.

The flow was so fun and my Garmin Head games were obsolete.  Don't think I'm going to ditch the dude that quickly.  He really is a part of my running life but as far as racing goes,  I'm going to rely on myself for the next few races...

Speaking of which,  I have another one this Wednesday night.  A cross country 3 miler.  Can't wait.

Sticks were flying!

And then....Stick Boy passes out at the awards ceremony!

He never stops so this is a rare photograph!

Have a great week!