run for recreation RR

I came across this one on the CARA calendar.  10 miles, cheap, relatively close to home.  COUNT ME IN!  Then I found out that it started/finished literally at my cousin's school, so I also acquired a photog and cheering section!

I got to the race about an hour before the start, found my cousin, picked up my packet (looove small races!), and went inside my cousin's school to use the flushing toilets and get ready for the race.  We went back outside about 10 minutes before the gun went off.  It was already bright sunshine-y and starting to get hot.  Before 7am.  Blech.  I hate running in the heat.

Me @ the start line

 At 7am, with a gun start and a promised chip finish, we were OFF!

Mile 1:  I knew going into the race that there was a ginormous hill in the first mile.  Jill and Kari weren't kidding when they talked about it's immensity.  I was so glad when I saw them halfway up, cheering and taking pictures!

Coming up the hill...

Oh yeah, I rocked that hill!

Got to the top (finally), and it was over.  The end of the race would come DOWN the hill.  I could hardly wait for that point!  8:12

Mile 2:  Rolling hills for the rest of the race, in a big giant loop with the sun beating down on me.  Oh, and wind.  Blech.  8:02

Mile 3:  I really need to change the playlist on my ipod.  Too much skipping.  8:04

Mile 4:  I pass one of the course marshals (a lady in a lawn chair), and she tells me that I'm the 3rd overall female!  Whoa!  8:12

Mile 5:  I'm hotttt.  My shirt is completely soaked through.  I'm grabbing a cup of water and a Gatorade at every aid station - pouring the water all over my body and drinking the Gatorade... gulping the Gatorade is a more accurate term.  8:12

Mile 6:  I actually feel pretty good so far... only 4 more miles to go!  8:01

Mile 7:  Aaaaand here's where the wheels fall off the bus.  I get a terrible cramp about a quarter mile after the aid station and have to slow down and actually walk to work it out.  This sucks.  Shades of Tucson, right here.  :(  I also lose 3rd overall female and drop down to 5th.  Poop.  8:31

Mile 8:  A goose hissed at me.  And started to chase me.  Yeah, that about sums up this mile.  8:56

Mile 9:  More hills.  Oh God, these are SCARY hills.  The road goes on forever and it's literally all uphill.  I keep telling myself that once I get to the top, I get to go down.  But once I get to the top, there's more rolling hills.  Omg this course is SO TOUGH.  I just want to be done already!  8:38

Mile 10:  Only a mile to go, and I tell myself that even with Rockford tomorrow, I would like one good mile to show for today.  After what seems like forever, the downhill comes!  And it is GLORIOUS! 

Get me to that finish line!

All I want to do is finish this race and take off my shoes.  Surprisingly the Pure Grits fared very well for 10 miles, and I'm pleased with how they work out for races. 

I'm almost DONE!

With one last surge, I get passed by some dude, but then I cross the finish line.  Best mile of the day.  7:59

In my quest to drink as much water and Gatorade as my stomach can handle, I actually pass the girl handing out medals and have to go back.  Gah!  One of the ladies who passed me asks me if I had a cramp (yes yes a big one) and says that it happens to her all the time in the heat.  Heat sucks.  You heard it here first!

FINAL TIME:  1:22:52
AVERAGE PACE:  8:19
LESSON LEARNED:  Take small sips of water when faced with a massive cramp - resist the urge to gulp, no matter how thirsty you are!
NEXT 10 MILER:  Soldier Field 10 Mile, 5.26.2012

Swag from today's race!

I changed my shoes and headed to the food tent for some oranges and granola bars.  As it turns out, I took 2nd in my age group (I know, I can do math too... they doubled up on awards).  I won 6 months free membership at a gym in Algonquin.  I don't live there, but Kari does, so she got a treat too :)

I left the race terrified beyond belief about Rockford, since the forecast called for more of the same terrible heat.  Stay tuned...