Run Walk Repeat

A Fun Life At All Paces

Race Report: Run The River 10k

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Despite the crazy cold snap that snuck in overnight, had a great race in the Run the River 10k benefiting Homestretch, an amazing organization helping homeless families get back on their feet.

What are you wearing?  Why thanks red carpet fashionistas…it was 40 degrees and breezy…so decided on: 2012 Princess Half Marathon shirt with a long sleeve shirt underneath for warmth, Picasso Pink Sparkle Tech Sparkle Skirt – LOVE those pockets! – AND I wore Capri’s underneath cuz I though my legs might get chilly, Pink Zensah Sleeves – for calf/shin support, but really for warmth…are you sensing a theme here?  AND my Brooks Adrenaline!  I added my Team #RUN3rd Boston Strong race dedication on my bib… and here is a flat view of the pile the night before…

The race bib change up was easy, I just printed out the things I wanted on there and covered with clear packaging/mailing tape!

This race course if pretty flat well except one hill mid race about 1/10 of a mile up then back down…so pretty easy.  Gorgeous road along the Chattahoochee River.

Got there early to get parking and meet my Atlanta Princess Half friends…. all ages, all paces, really supportive group of gals! 

Ramona, Kierstn, Me, Amy and Barbara – Running Royalty – I am like a pink explosion! but was warm

We chatted about running, races we had done then thought a quick prayer to Mary and her sweet baby couldn’t hurt.  I do believe we all had decided to do this race for Personal Record since it was flat.

All jokes aside, I do love Mary and this statue!  Sweet little baby Jesus all snuggled in.

With that I took off the windbreaker, turned on the Garmin and loaded up the Ipod with RockMyRun.com mixes.  Ready to #Run3rd for Boston.  Got to the start and walked around for 3 minutes to warm up the legs. 

Ready to #RUN3rd

 
Mayor Wood started us off and away we went.  I was in the back of the pack since I would be doing my intervals. That first mile I was faster than I like…when I saw it was under 11 minutes, I knew I HAD to slow down a bit or risk walking the end of the race…I mean no shame, but I wanted to finish strong. The crowd thinned out and it was super easy for me to do intervals without having to move to the left to run. 

With my dedication, thinking of the events of this past week, I got emotional from the get go.  I said some prayers for the victims and injured and for their families as I ran.   I found my pacer in the crowd, this woman who was also dedicating her run for Boston. I decided to stick with her and always have her in my sights. 

She was straight running so I would pass her with my run interval then she would pass me when I walked, always reminding me of Boston.  You know I haven’t been running consistently at all since the end of February so not in my best shape.  I have also been doing this squat challenge and my thighs and butt were tired from the 70 I did yesterday……yet when I wanted to slow down or quit, I would think of those in the hospital – facing recovery, life without body parts; those who would be emotionally scarred or traumatized from what they witnessed; those who helped others selfless in putting themselves in harms way and the police and law enforcement officials who had worked so hard to find the suspects; those in Boston stuck in their homes yesterday; and the victims Martin, Krystle, Lingzi, and Sean..all so young and taken so tragically and suddenly from their friends and families.  
How could I ease up with these thoughts? I worked harder because this run was for them. The course is just lovely – its my regular long run training route, so serene and peaceful, surrounded by nature. I hoped I could somehow send some off the peace I was feeling by the scenery to those I was running for.
Yeah, going for PR and taking photos! So beautiful out there. 
  Around mile 2 I saw those fast front runners coming down the BACK part of out and back.
I believe this was the guy in 3rd place, 1 and 2 were too fast for my camera!
This was one fast lady!  Sorry its blurry, but you know…she was running and I was in a walk interval, never stopped!
The course turned off the main road and went down a riverfront gravel street with million dollar homes to old hunting camps and a place with chickens and ducks…I do believe I heard a rooster.   After the gravel we hit the only hill which I don’t think was more than 2/10 of a mile probably less….but my legs were tired and feeling the squats  -so I walked an extra minute up hill.  Ran down hill and got some water felt better!
Sometime in mile 4-5 I got a cramp….  I REALLY wanted to slow down, but it was for Boston, so NO.COULD.DO.
I tried to shorten my walk intervals to get to the finish line faster.  I hit 6 miles and decided time to just finish.  I saw Barbara my Running Royalty friend who cheered me on…she said I looked strong…I was BEAT. I knew by my Garmin I was AWFULLY close to beating my PR time of 1:12:27 and I just gassed it best I could.  As I approached the finish I put my hands on my heart for Boston…I hope you guys feel all the love you are getting from the rest of us.  Stay Strong!
And that was it….I looked at my Garmin….unofficial time 1:11:45!!!!  I DID IT!  I beat my 3 year old 10k PR Time. Waiting in line to get my post race swag, my pacer patted me on the shoulder and told me “GREAT JOB!  Fun keeping up with you!”, which I said well until I petered out around mile 4 and had you in sights but could never pass you. I thanked her for her sign because it truly kept me focused on my race dedication.
And did the prayers help?  Well lets say… I wasn’t the only one who PR’d today!  
So for you locals this is an amazing race if you like low crowds and pretty scenery oh and FLAT which I love!  See you next year!
The River of Run “THE RIVER”.  Just lovely!
   
STATS – I LOVE NUMBERS:  
Finish Time 1:11:42  
Place: 477 of 535     
Division F Age 45-49 : 34 out of 40
Splits:1 – 10:55 (started out too fast!); 2 – 11:15; 3 – 11:38; 4 – 11:32; 5 – 11:38; 6 – 11:47; 7 – 10:32 (this would be the 0.29 at the end   – Average Pace: 11:23 minute mile
Goal Finish in Under 1:13 CHECK
PERSONAL RECORD 10K!  Gotta LOVE that!
Julie @RunWalkRepeat
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About Julie @RunWalkRepeat

Wife, Mom, Southerner, Former Cubicle Dweller, Sting Fanatic and Reluctant Runner. I got started on family a little later in life than most and run for my health. A fan of Food, Entertainment, Travel, Galloway Running and Disney, I like to find the fun in all things in life.

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