I have a confession to make:
1) I have not run since the engagement. Yes, I got engaged 17 days ago.
2) I have not properly trained since my last triathlon in September.
Trust me, I have my excuses:
1) I got really sick 4 days after the engagement and was out of commission for 3 days.
2) I have been wedding planning like crazy (it’s practically all I think about right now)! We want to get married in May – June of 2010 but I’m running in to some problems:
a. Since it’s a short (7-8 months) engagement, most places are booked.
b. We can’t do 5 of the 9 weekends in May or June (due to previous commitments including my little sister’s high school graduation and our half-ironman in June)
c. I live in DC – things here are so expensive (and it’s depressing).
Okay, so I’m telling you this for a reason: I ran an 8k today. Originally I had signed up for the half-marathon but due to said confessions and a foot problem, I decide to switch to the 8k. I’m glad I did. (I’m sore as hell!)
The race went better than expected – and I’m glad I decided to run. Since 8k’s are fairly uneventful I don’t have a ton to report. It was a nice, flat (and slightly downhill on the way back), out and back course. Like most of the races I run, many people started when they weren’t suppose to – so I spent the 1st mile running in and out of people. Around mile 1.5, I finally got into a groove. Literally. There were bands and DJ’s playing awesome music along the run – which is fun and motivating since I don’t run with an iPod when racing. At mile 3, I started to feel tired – and this old time runner who was about to pass me (he was probably 50) said: “Come on – don’t let up now”. Okay, okay. So, I picked up the pace and ran the last 2 miles with him. I really needed him and am thankful that he didn’t let me “let up”! The last half mile he said: “This is it – let’s push it in”. And that’s exactly what we did! Glad to be finished, I turned around to give my new running partner a high-five – and he brought it in for a hug. I love runners!
Stats:
Overall: 134/3542
Age Group: 5/559
Gender: 19/???
Time: 35:23 (7:07 pace) – shocking, but a new 8k PR, too!
PS – the race shirts were awesome: long sleeve, wicking and gender specific. Hint to all other race directors: get good shirts!