Montana Women's Run Race Recap

I was pretty excited when I got up in the morning and was thinking about the race a lot.  How I wanted to run it, what my strategy would be, where I wanted to start from in the pack and what my goal times were realistically and shooting for the stars.  I was so distracted that I didn't even realize I hadn't shaved my legs while in the shower until I was getting dressed, by then it was too late! I also nearly forgot to eat breakfast.

A Goal:  Finish in under 35 minutes (hey shoot for the moon right?)
B Goal:  Run between 7:30 and 7:20 minute miles (I felt like this was realistic and would still be pushing the pace)
C Goal:  Finish with no pain, no new injuries and have fun

The weather was nearly perfect with it being in the mid to high forties at the start with just a slight breeze and the sun out.

I started about 10 deep in the pack, near enough the front I wouldn't have too much weaving around,but far enough back that I wouldn't be passed by all the speedsters right away.  This is a pretty huge run with nearly 3000 runners in the 5 mile.

I still wasn't really sure how I was going to tackle the first mile, but in the end when the gun went off I just let it flow.  I say let it flow, but a little bit I did have to hold back.  I have not done any speed work in... a year?

Mile 1 felt good and clicked by in 7:02. I felt good and was feeding off the energy of everyone around me .  I knew holding on to this pace was unrealistic so I eased up a bit.

Mile 2 7:28  my legs were starting to feel tired and I wondered if I had messed up by doing the first mile so fast and was I going to just peter out. and fade away.

I worked really hard on my mental game.  I know from past experience that mentally miles 3 and 4 are the hardest. I reminded myself that I could in fact run 5 miles.  I had done it twice in the past week.  Maybe I hadn't run it so fast, but I had done it, I could do it again. I would do it again today.

Mile 3 7:28  At least I am consistent.  Somewhere around mile 2.5 my stomach started to get really unhappy and I realized I was super tense so I worked on my form and my breathing and pretty soon it wasn't an issue anymore.

Mile 4  7:32  this was a pretty hard mile, but I think since I was mentally prepared for this to be hard, I was able to keep pushing and concentrating of catching the next person in front of me.

Mile 5 7:18  This mile is always hard, but at this point there is an end in sight and I KNOW I can hang on for another mile and as it winds down I know I can do a half, and finally a quarter mile.  I think I was hoping to get it a little faster than this, but really given the state of my running the last year.  I am thrilled with my officail chip time of 37:08.

I really believe that what pulled me through this run more than anything was my mental game.  I was on it with nearly every step I took.  I was reminding myself how much I love running, how much it is a mental game and that I do possess the ability to push myself.

After the race I got to meet Kelly, who is a fan of my blog.  So fun when people tell me they read my blog and enjoy it.  I had to get a picture with her.   Hopefully I will see you at more races Kelly!

I had a moment when I crossed the finish line that I nearly cried.  It has seemed like such a long journey back and I am so grateful to have run with no foot pain, no back pain, no pain in my leg, just the burning of my lungs and the tiredness that comes from a race well run.

I most definitely accomplished my B goal and it feels good to have an idea of where I am sitting with it all right now.  I really in my heart believed I could run that since my easy runs during the week had been around the 8:30 pace and I know that for me there is magic in the race.  My competitive side thrives during races and I manage to pull off paces that seemed way too hard during training runs at home.

C Goal was also accomplished, I am feeling good and pain free.

I ended up 26th out of 2764 finishers in the 5 mile
and 4th out of 275 in my age group with a pace of 7:26

The two girls who got 1st and 2nd in my age group were 2nd and 3rd overall, beat only by Zola Budd.  Yes the Zola Budd. Sorry blogger fail I didn't get any pictures of her.

After the race I got to meet Kelly, who is a fan of my blog.  So fun when people tell me they read my blog and enjoy it.  I had to get a picture with her.   Hopefully I will see you at more races Kelly!

All in all not even close to a personal best, but a huge victory over the last year and all my injuries.  Next up.. half marathon training :)