I run happy.

Monday, June 13, 2011

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!

31 comments:

  1. Woohoooooo Megsie!!! I am super stoked for you!! I think this is exactly what your marathon legs need right now, a little RnR from those LOOOONG runs where they just zap the life right out of you after. Fresh legs and a fresh mind and you are on FIRE girl! So happy for you and so happy that stick waver and his momma was right there cheering you on!! Well done, chica!!!
    LOVE YA!!

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  2. Awesome report!! Wooo hoo! Something to be said about running by heart and feel. Takes so much of the head games out of that you get from looking at a watch or Garmin. Garmin is still new to me and it can definitely mess with me. This sounds like such a strong strong race!!! Did you get a time yet? Your little cheerleader...love it!! Can't wait to read more about your reports...10k seems like an awesome distance!

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  3. Fantastic! It sounds like you had one of those magic runs that only happens every so often. Congratulations. I'm so excited for you.

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  4. How excellent! Don't you just love when that happens? Maybe that wasn't a stick he was waving but a magic trail wand?! Good job Meg!

    XOXO JT

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  5. Awesome. I am finding that Garmin while a wonderful toy, makes me way too stressed out to enjoy my runs. The stupid thing just does not understand my body.
    Loved your report and congratulations. You rock!

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  6. WTG!! I love running without my garmin but never thought to do it in a race. Congrats on running so well.

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  7. Oh wow Meg! No doubt she's your daughter!! As pretty as mama!!

    So awesome to see you have such a rockin' positive experience with a race!! I can't let my hubby read this. He will take my Garmin away and say I told you so-ha!! And FIRST OVERALL FEMALE!!!! Congrats Meg!!! Awesome Job-so happy, thankful that everything is going right in your running world right now!! Loved the report and Good Luck Wednesday!!!!!

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  8. Fantastic!! You are such an inspiration Meg! First overall female...just amazing! Wow! Congratulations.
    I love stick boy's "Grandma races" :)

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  9. First woman, well done! Sounds like a great race. Support like that is priceless.

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  10. This is fantastic Meg! Congrats on a great race, I'm so proud of you!

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  11. I'm sure it's not everyday that the first female finisher snags a high five from her GRANDSON at the finish. Very impressive! So glad you had a great race, and are feeling good about things!!

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  12. I am seriously considering doing the same in my first race of the season in July....but am having a hard time letting go.....

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  13. Wow! This is one of the best race reports ever! First female finisher and adorable pictures, too. Congrats on your refocusing- so happy for you!

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  14. Fantastic Race, Meg! I love that stick waver could cheer for you!!

    Way to bring home the first female Overall!! That's just RAD. I like the "run by heart" strategy to racing.

    Your daughter- just beautiful!

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  15. Yay for having fun and finishing first female, too!

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  16. A HUGE congratulations! First woman finisher is awesome! You will do well at the "shorter" races. I have decided I am not going to do a marathon this fall. I want to bike a lot and continue to do lots of races. I have 1 1/2 days left of school. Can't wait.

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  17. Wow! That is so cool. Congratulation on your WIN!

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  18. EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE, I'm so excited for you - what a great race, and woohoo, first woman finisher?!? FANTASTIC!!!!!

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  19. First woman finisher!!!! Way to go!!! And an awesome cheering section to boot. Way to go!

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  20. Great news all around! Glad you are enjoying yourself. It's fun for me to hear about you running races that are more like my distances... sure wish my speeds were more like yours! Can I borrow your Garmin since you're not using him? HA! I need speedwork, big time :-) SP looks super cute in a coma.

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  21. Congrats!! I am SO impressed. What a great way to start your summer!!

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  22. Meg, Meg, Meg that is pretty frigging cool. Congrats. When I get you on July 4th I can say that I beat the overall woman winner of a race a few weeks back. Yeah, right.

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  23. Congrats Meg!! First place! And a Grandma! ;) I'm glad SP/HWWS didn't pass out in a bad way - I was worried at first.

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  24. Woohoo! Nice race Meg! Jonathan filled us in at b-project! Glad to hear you are loving the 10K training and the refreshed running focus!!!

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  25. Some use the stick to help with recovery; you use the stick to finish first! That grandson of yours might be on to something.

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  26. "10K RUNNING TRAINING PROGRAM FOR ADVANCED COMPETITIVE RUNNERS" - Yep. That's you.

    It's so nice to be following the adventures of SP, BS, and now FWF. Congrats, Meg, you've earned a kickass race like this.

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  27. Fantastic, what an experience, first overall!!!!! Congrats.
    Wonderful pictures. Enjoy this week end!

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  28. OH meg how amazing. I LOVE that photo of you and your wonderful admirable daughter, HWWS is just gorgeous (a guinea a minute we say over here) and FIRST WOMAN! YOu are incredible! you are fabulous!

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  29. Wow, congratulations, girl! Whoo hoo! Whoohoo! Whoo hoo!

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