Race Report - virtual Finish Chelsea's Run

First off, I hope everyone had a great Memorial Day weekend! I know I did, which is why it's Tuesday and I'm just getting to this.

Saturday morning, I had committed to running 6 miles to "finish Chelsea's Run." So I had a bit to eat, grabbed my handheld water bottle, and drove to a local trail to try it out. This is a long, beautifully maintained trail just a couple miles from home, so i figure it's the perfect long run spot and wanted to check it out.

First things first - it's HOT. I am such a wimp about running in the heat. I know, I know, I need to get over this, but it's a tough one for me. I'd rather run freezing my ass off than in the heat, but I need to suck it up and deal, since it's mostly a mental obstacle for me. But I set out, hoping to make this a 10k. In the interest of full disclosure, if I even make it to 6 miles, this will be the FARTHEST I HAVE EVER RUN. Probably ever. But for sure, since high school. I feel good, and I head south.

This trail is wooded, so there's a lot to look at. I turn on the ipod mostly as background music, and concentrate on starting slow. I'm feeling really good, enjoying running to scenery rather than my subdivision. I meet a few bikers and a runner or 2 along the way. I'm feeling GOOD.

The first 3 mile fly by, even though I'm being really good about maintaining a 11:30 ish pace, which is perfect for me. I turn around at about 3.5 miles and think I might hit close to 7!!! I walk for a bit and have a drink, and head back.

The "walk for a bit" part was my first mistake. I'm not sure why, but as soon as I allow myself to walk during a run, my momentum falls apart, along with my mental game. Now I want to walk all. the. time. I don't get it! And it's extremely annoying. Definitely on my list of "Things to Conquer." I hit mile 4.5 and I am starting to struggle. It seems like I'm going at a constant gradual uphill (maybe why the way out felt so nice - I'll have to revisit the trail soon to confirm) and I keep wanting to (and letting myself) walk.

But I think of Chelsea, and I keep trudging. I'm going slower now, but I'm determined to stick it out. I keep sipping my water (which I probably went through too quickly - lesson number 2) and keep putting one foot in front of the other. I am going to finish this!

I noticed on my way out that the worst hill and the sunniest part of my run would be at the very end. And I was hitting that, so I knew I was getting closer. I was playing games with myself now - just to the next tree...then to that bench...then around the next corner. But I made it to 6.2 miles and walked the rest of the way to my car. Turns out, this was mistake number 3 - as soon as I stopped running, I was COVERED in mosquitoes. They were everywhere! Yuck...I will definitely remember THAT for next time.

But I finished my first 10k for Chelsea in just under 1:15. I'm proud that I made it through. But knowing that I have to do that plus 20 miles in just a few short months tells me just how much work I have ahead of me...I learned a few things though, and I'll continue to learn as I go. I am determined!