Well, as per usual I’m a little bit behind in getting my December runs up, but I still wanted to share them so here we are! I had planned on combining my December recaps into one post, but I ramble write too much so that isn’t possible. I apparently have a lot to say post runs, this one was no different. In fact I might just have a lot more to say after this race seeing how tough it was and what it opened my eyes to.
Rockin Reindeer 10K Race Recap – December 13, 2014
This was my first 10k since my first 10k. LOL. So it was my second one and I was looking for some redemption from the first one. If you don’t remember I ended up getting very sick after my first 10k. Read about that here. I had run a 6 miler the week before and it wasn’t bad, so I was hopeful for this one. I went in with a goal of 1:22:00 in mind and a second goal of less than 1:30:00. (I’m still a pretty slow runner and I’m more than fine with that, but I’m also very competitive with myself so I always want to do better and go faster.)
Lorna Jane tights – 2XU Compression sleeves – Mizuno Inspire 10s (ended up running in my Brooks Transcends instead due to some foot pain) – Balega Socks – Sparkle Athletic skirt – Target long sleeved heat gear – Olaf hat from Party City (kid size)
The night before the race I laid out my Olaf outfit which my boys thought was just the best. I wasn’t feeling that good the night before so I went to bed really early and managed to get a pretty good nights rest (and by good I mean 9 hours of great) which I really needed.
Rockin Reindeer is part of the Jus Run event here in Las Vegas. They are very well organized and they are also known to have pretty good medals. (Gotta love the bling!) They also do series races and if you race all or most of them you get an additional medal!
I got the race and met up with some local runners from two different Facebook groups that I belong to. After pretty much running everything alone not knowing anyone it was nice to be able to find some friendly faces and chat.
Mental note to self – while it was cute I won’t be wearing a kid’s sized hat for any run I care about in the future. I kept trying to have to keep it on! LOL!
Mile 1: Started off way too fast and got caught in the pack. My TomTom had me at a 10 minute mile which I knew was too fast, but I didn’t know what to do. By .75 I was having severe side and leg cramps. I had no choice by to stop and catch my breath and then try to walk through them. Feeling disapointed. Split: 14:39
Mile 2: Tried to alternate running/walking, but every time I started to run again I would cramp. I’ve never had side stitches like this running. Walk/Run. Nearly in tears I was so disappointed. I actually thought to myself that I was stupid for thinking I could be a runner and that I should just cancel all my other races. Split: 14:59
Mile 3: After walking for a bit and just breathing, I got over my pity party I decided to just jog as steadily as I could. I pulled my head out of the pity party and pushed onward and upward. The course was a steady climb with some small steep grades here and there. At the turn around point I got some Gatorade and took a few deep breaths. I turned around and started to pick up my pace. Split: 15:59
Mile 4: My legs finally felt like my own again. I looked around at the amazingly gorgeous sky and mountains and thanked God for being able to be out there running. It might sound silly to some, but I never feel more spiritual than I do when I’m running. Split: 13:54
Mile 5: I noticed the time on my watch and thought that I might actually be able to still make my goal. Not sure how on earth that happened, but I was feeling good so I tried to pick up the pace some more. Split: 13:07
Mile 6: Okay, so I wasn’t going to make the 1:22:00 goal, but I certainly could come in well under 1:30:00. My first 10k ended with a time of 1:37:50 and I knew this was going to be a PR no matter what. I was still feeling great. Split: 13:01
My friend from the running group took this picture. She actually waited so she could do that for me. It was the first time I’d ever had anyone at the finish line for me. I just thought it was super sweet. Thanks Linda!
I crossed the finish line with an official time of 1:26:02. While it was over an 11 minute PR, I was happy and frustrated at myself. I need to learn to start at my own pace, but more than anything I need to learn to get out of my own head when I’m running. I was upset I’d let myself get so down about this run in the beginning, but I was happy I didn’t quit.
At the finish line I saw a guy with a really awesome holiday sweater and something made me approach him and ask for a picture. (SO NOT MY STYLE). After posing with him (and I’m certain he thought I was insane – after all I was a grown woman in an Olaf costume) I learned that he was running with his family for a charity they started called Team Hope and Strength. He told me that they run to honor the two sons they lost way to early last year. I managed somehow to keep myself together and I told them that I think they were amazing and strong, and an inspiration.
When I recounted the race to my husband who is still deployed on the car ride home, I cried telling him about this family. Here I was on a beautiful day being given the ability to run a 10k race and I spent half of it near tears because it wasn’t going how I had planned. And here was this family who was out sharing their story with smiles on their faces, and enjoying the day God gave us. I don’t know about you, but I think God shows us things in our lives that we need to see. If you don’t believe in God maybe you see it as the Universe showing you what’s important. I needed to look up from my run and just be grateful to be out doing it, and then I needed to meet this family and see what true hope and strength looks like.
I started running in August. Which means that I have been doing it for about 6 months. Instead of being grateful for all that running has given me, I was getting caught up in what I couldn’t do. I started running because I was tired of saying “I can’t” and yet here I was… I am my own worst critic.
I left this race with a PR that I was proud of, and a new outlook on running. Yes, I will continue to make goals and try hard to improve every single time I run, but I’m done with being upset for not running the fastest race or the fastest miles. If I need to walk – that is okay. I’m grateful for the ability to be able to run. I’m grateful to be able to see God in my runs, and I’m grateful for the beautiful family I have waiting at home for me at the end of every run. I get to come home with a refreshed body and soul and be a better parent to my sweet boys. That is what running does for me.
What does running do for you?
Learn more about Team Hope and Strength here.
Latest posts by Emily (Posts)
- Don’t Call It A Comeback - February 7, 2019
- The Little Prince at The Smith Center Las Vegas – Ticket Giveaway - January 31, 2017
- 3 Simple Ways To Add Color To Your Diet @SUBWAY @OfficialSubway - January 13, 2017
- Disney’s Moana in Dolby Cinema at AMC Movie Review - November 27, 2016
Congrats on your PR!! 11 min on a 10K is huge! Keep running with your heart and you can’t go wrong. We are our own worst critics sometimes. I’ve been there and done that too. We are doing the best we can for that day and time. Our bodies will tell us what’s possible. 🙂
Congratulations! Boy we sure can be hard on ourselves 🙂 Great perspective and yes, it’s such a gift to be able to run. I need personal goals to get out the door BUT remembering that just the ability to run is precious helps remind us that we need to enjoy the journey and be thankful. LOVED your outfit!
WoW!!! What an inspiration and super cute outfit. One day ill be able to do a 10k without my asthma attacking my breathing! Your time was awesome so don’t down it!
Looks like you had lots of fun