If you were wondering if I decided to run or not, I did! The doctor gave me the okay, and that was enough for me. I ran very, very little last week and just focused on resting and recovering.
Also part of my preparation for the race...
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| Calf Ironing |
Family, my doggie, football, and a "calf-rolling" session. Runners, if you've never had your calves ironed out with a rolling pin, you are missing out - seriously! This tip brought to you by the ballet studio where I work! Who knew I'd pick up helpful tips for running?!
My marathon training buddy, Mollie, ran the Wine and Dine Half Saturday night at Epcot (and seriously SMOKED it! Go, Mollie!). For a moment, I thought about signing up, too. I'm almost to the point where I'm considering another Disney race, but I was so drawn to this little race in Baldwin Park. There were just over 300 participants. No corrals, no fighting crowds, no tutu-- sorry, I really need to let that go.
My morning started splendidly with a pre-sunrise trip to a local park. I wanted some time to sit and relax before heading to the race course. We let Brooklyn run around and burn some energy. We may or may not have stopped for me to use the bathroom before heading to the course. AH! Race nerves! I told Ty that I seriously had no idea how I was going to run. I was just excited for the opportunity.
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| Pre-race with my pup! |
Tyler jokingly said something about being the "Weim Wrangler" at the race. I found it so hilarious that I made him pose for a picture. Brooklyn made that face all on her own.
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| Best company I could ask for! |
My start time was only about fifteen seconds after gun time (told you it was small!), and Ty and Brook watched me head off! I later found out that they went for a nice long walk and met different people and dogs at the race. I was just a little bit proud when Ty told me people were complimenting him on Brooklyn's good behavior.
A down-side to small races is that it can be challenging to pace yourself. I was running only with a stopwatch and missed the first mile-marker (somehow?). I didn't know my pace at all really until I hit mile two at 16:00. My dad, a college letterman in cross-country and track, gave me this advice: find someone around your pace and try to stick with him. If he moves out of your sights, find someone else.
I tried to do that. One, gone. Two, gone. Three, gone. They were all too fast for me!
Finally, around mile three, I came up on a middle-aged woman who was steady and around my pace. For a half mile or so, we went back and forth: I passed her, she passed me, etc, etc. Then she just turned to me and said, "Let's stick together, okay? I'm Ellen. What's your name? And don't mind if I don't talk too much."
I was delighted! While were weren't talking "too much," I managed to find out that she is a nine-time marathoner. She was at mile 25.5 last year in Boston when the incidents took place. Apparently she had been injured during the race and likely would have been at the finish at the worst possible time, if not for the injury. She's fifty-one and has been running since age sixteen. I don't mind saying that I'm a slight person and typically buy my jeans in the smallest size. Let me just say that I have no idea where this woman shops. She was a tiny, feisty thing! I liked her, and she motivated me to keep pace. Since she had a GPS watch, I let her do the monitoring and just kept with her. She was truly a godsend!
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| Post-race with Ellen! |
The course was beautiful! We ran around Lake Baldwin and on the Cady Way Trail. The runners were friendly and cheered for each other. It was a positive, motivating experience!
Mile 11 was the hardest. I felt It. Would. Never. End.
Unlike our recent 5K, I was giving it all I had at the end. I was breathless and couldn't have talked if I'd have wanted to. When I saw the finish line in my sights, Ellen told me to go on ahead. Somehow I found a little bit more energy and did just that.
I know, I know. It looks as if I'm first or last. That's just how not crowded it was. Did I mention I'm a fan of small races?
I had the best cheering committee ever! Ty spotted me approaching the finish line (which looped in the parking lot) and said, "Brook! It's Mom!" He began cheering immediately, and then the two of them ran next to me part way to the finish line. Brooklyn was quite excited after watching runner after runner come it!
She was also excited about the water bottles I got...
She eventually calmed down again! Hello, pretty puppy!
My mom was planning to attend, but she was a little bit delayed. Unfortunately for her, I ran faster than expected, so she missed me at the finish line. Fortunately for me, though, because I set a new PR: 1:49:41. Probably the only time ever I'll beat my record by over twenty minutes. I guess it really makes a difference when you don't have food poisoning. (Sinus infection? No big deal.)
We all know the best part about races - for the racers and spectators - is the much anticipated post-race meal. Mom made it to breakfast, and that's what counts! I felt a little gross walking into a restaurant, but nothing was coming between me and my coffee and bacado omelette, thank you very much.
We may have played hooky from church and crashed at home...
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| Races are tough on the support crew! |
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Pretending to be grumpy because I took their picture.
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...and then gone to Disney!
Tell me that's not the best of both worlds? RunLovelysmallrace and
then PlayDisney.
Hollywood Studios time!
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| Stunt Show! Lightening McQueen now has a role! |
Meeting characters is one of my favorite things to do!
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| After this photo, she just stared and said, "Very good, very good," |
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| Tons of characters were out! Even rare ones like Pinnochio, Mulan, Poppins, Belle, Hook, Stitch, and more! |
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| Osbourne Lights were up! |
By this point, my legs were KILLING me. I told Ty he was going to have to carry me to the car if we stayed much longer. We crashed at home at 8PM. Pretty sure we were both asleep by nine. Thankful for such a wonderful day running and being with my family.
