Good morning!
Grab your coffee and pull up stool.
Over a month ago, I signed Kathy and I up for an inaugural race, that would take place at the country club we belong to. This race offered 3 choices for distances, 5K, 10K, or half marathon, and while we both would have liked to run 13.1 miles, neither of us were prepared and so I registered us for the 10K. Even that distance was ambitious, as Kathy and I both have been battling some injuries and would not get a lot of training in. Since registering, we had averaged one run a week, and while we both are experienced runners, that is not a lot of training for running a 10K.
On Friday, the day before the race, there was still snow-covered spots and the temperature was still considerably lower than normal. The race would start at 7:15 that next day and when we picked up our bibs, Kathy let me know the “real feel” was going to be 21 degrees at race time. I responded with a typical dumb joke, but Kathy did not laugh. Friday night before bed, I had my doubts either of us would want to run the race in the morning.
When Kathy’s alarm sounded at 5am, I was a bit surprised that she instantly got out of bed. Honestly had she said to me, that she did not feel up to running, I would have said: “Me neither” and slept till well past race time! Instead, I slept another 40 minutes and since Kathy was not back in bed, I figured we were running a race!
The race start line was less than a mile from us, so we jogged over to the starting line. It was cold, but we both know how to dress, thanks to the thousands of miles we have experienced during New Hampshire winters. Our plan was simple; run easy, walk if necessary and get it done.
The race started, and we were thankfully moving (the secret to running comfortably in the winter). We made our way around that initial mile and it was apparent that the snow forced them to change the course we had studied on the race website. The change brought us by our home, so Kathy took a bit of a detour and discarded her vest. I am sure many runners were wondering if she was lost when she turned off and what was I doing, just standing there as they, all passed me! Kind of funny.
We resumed our run and as we made it to the 2-mile point, I was surprised at how we were a bit faster than I wanted to be but felt good. I was letting Kathy set the pace, and she was running steady and appeared to be strong. From mile 1 to mile 4 the course was much of what I normally run, so that was helpful.
When we passed the marker for mile 5, I thought to myself; “We are doing great!” and despite tightness in my calves, I was confident I could push us to a strong finish. Shortly thereafter, I checked my Garmin and we were at 5.4 miles and I decided to kick it in. I pulled away from Kathy, shortening my stride while picking up my cadence, which gave me speed while protecting my calves. I saw the finish line clock and it was still under 60 minutes, so that pulled me to the line. I knew we were a bit faster than the gun time, but I figured why not try to get under 60 for gun time. I crossed at 59:50 gun time and instantly turned to see Kathy battling to the finish.
I was so pumped! We finished much faster than I would have ever thought and more importantly, we had great race. Not a great race because of our finish times, but because we enjoyed it. Despite the 90 second detour at our house, Kathy won her age group and that is so amazing. I would brag about finishing third in my age bracket, but I was also last in my age bracket! ?? We celebrated with a great postrace brunch and then walked home (gingerly).
This chat is long (Sorry Doug), but I gave a lot of details because I thought they important. Running a race is a lot of fun and placing in your age is awesome (congratulations Kathy!), but for me, if I had to choose which I would choose at this point, I would choose the fun over the results of my time. We really had a lot of fun and the results were just the proverbial cherry on the cake!
Have a great week!
God Bless!
Mike
Coach Mikes running tip:
Before running, dynamic stretching is appropriate. This includes walking lunges, high leg kicks, jumping jacks and any other exercises that warm the muscles. Static stretching is not effective before most exercise.
