I did not feel the same motivation for training this year as I did last year. I have not been shedding the pounds as I have in the past, or coupling running workouts with abs, push-ups and weights. Only running 2-3 times per week as opposed to 3-5 times per week. I really didn’t feel prepared, though I knew I’d be able to finish. And I knew I had to run because I could, and because I’d be disappointed in myself if I didn’t. I normally don’t run with others or with music, but I needed the motivation this year. I have had so much fun with my running buddies and they have been such an inspiration and joy to train with. None of us thought we would do well at the race and we all finished with excellent times, and I beat my last year’s time by 10 minutes, clocking it at 1 hour, 33 minutes! Woo! I moved a bit ahead of them with the help of a couple of downhill shots after about 5k, but trust me they weren’t far behind!
I also ran with music this year, and it was just what I needed at every turn. I’m sure people got a kick out of me singing along with the tunes, especially when I got to ones like “Tik Tok” and “Milkshake”…yeah. There was nothing like the point that I hit the turnaround at the bottom of Riverside and knew I was more than halfway done with the race and U2’s “Where the Streets Have No Name” came on the iPod. Perfect, just perfect. I picked up the pace, and by the time I got to “the hill” on Denver I was sayin’, “bring it mother [you know what]er” under my breath. Sprinted across the finish line and felt amazing.
Here’s my race day tat, sweet:
Gettin’ started. There’s Danielle in pink next to me. I took pics with my phone so they’re a little warbled, but still fun to have from a runner’s perspective.
One of my favorite views of the race. The pack, all of us running together, flooding 15th street.
What you can’t tell from this pic is the mind game occurring. This is running south on Riverside, (opposite direction of the finish line mind you) and on the other side of that yellow line are the runners at the front of the line, racing past you, almost done…reminding you that you are NOT almost done. Nice thing is that on the other side of you is a beautiful view of the river. I snapped a shot of it but can’t seem to find it now. I’ll add it in later for those of you that check back on my blog for updates religiously (hah!).
And I’ll post my official race pics once I purchase them and decide which one depicts me with the least weird looking expression on my face. And now…on to train for the Rt. 66 half-marathon, which yes, I have officially registered for. Yikes!
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