Ohmygosh yesterday was the best day ever! I'll give you some background information. It kind of starts last year.
Last year one of my bffs, Jan, had wanted to run her first marathon here in Southern Oregon. There was one just over the hill from us but since there were so many fires in the state throughout the summer the smoke was so thick and air quality terrible. So, the marathon was moved further out timewise and she picked another marathon in Eugene, OR. I think that was mid-September. I had been starting to want to run myself but not quite there. But, that was the first race that I ran in between walking, and it wasn't horrid. ha!
Slowly over the past year I've been building up my mileage. I picked a training plan for a 10K, which is 6.2 miles. Honestly, it's been hard! But, thank God, I've been able to do it. My body is slow, but it does run and recover. It's been amazing. So, that bring us to yesterday. It was the Providence Marathon in Medford and I did the 10K race - and ran the entire time!!!
The morning started super early - Jan had to be at her shuttle to the starting line at 6 am. The shuttle for the half marathon and 10K started at 7 am. And it was super colllldddd! I think it was about 40 degrees. Brrr. Last winter/spring I discovered I have Reynaud's disorder, which for me manifests most painfully in my toes when I get cold. If my body is cold then the blood constricts to my toes and it feels like running on marbles or just plain numb. But! I bundle up and keep on :)
Here I am at the starting line for the 10K
For the most part, the run felt pretty good! I started out too quickly I think - nerves and excitement. I tried to rein myself in so that I would have the continued energy for the full 6 miles. After the 5 mile point, I realized I was doing it and it felt amazing. The finish line was a straightaway after a slight hill so it was nice to be able to run across feeling strong.
Jan's daughter also ran the 10K race, and she was waiting for me at the finish line which was cool! After that, we trolled around the finish line area to see if there were snacks and swag. We were both looking forward to chocolate milk but no such luck. Boo! But, we were consoled by sugary donuts :)
Our friend Meghan ran the half marathon, 13.1 miles and got a personal record (PR) of 1:53:55! Her first half marathon under 2 hours.
After that, it was waiting for Jan to come in. A couple other friends made it in time to see her cross the finish line in 4:02:45 - 8 minutes faster than her first marathon! Not only was her time impressive, but just knowing how hard it was for her to get there - she coaches volleyball, has a full time job and a family in addition to the multiple hours of training week after week.
Below is the breakdown of my mileage, in what's referred to as "splits". Mine is a bit lopsided - the quicker times at the beginning instead of the end. It's no biggie to me, but it's interesting information.
This was my official race finishing time:
We had a delicious lunch and some fro-yo and then drove home. Even the drive home was fantastic - the pass is mostly evergreens but interspersed there are vibrant fall colored trees - so vivid and colorful. It was a treat.
