...Or...the First Loser Again...
The 15th Annual Joint Special Operations 10k Run
This race was held on Fortress Bragg. Because of my aversion to going on to post during the weekend and other things I was avoiding this race. But, at the last minute I decided to sign up.
I also convinced my anti-social running partner Mighty Mouse, to come along. We have already planned to run a 1/2 Marathon next weekend, so this was going to be our first racing experience together.
The race started at 8 am and we came up with a solid meeting plan and showed up out at McKellar's Lodge at 730 am. There were many more people there than we anticipated and we had a long walk to pick up our race packets and t-shirts. I was slightly concerned that we wouldn't have time to make it back to the start in time for the gun. So lesson learned, no matter how arbitrary it may seem to me, I have to show up to a race at least an hour early to feel comfortable.
Also, unless it's summer, I never feel like I'm dressed appropriately. Mostly, I'm too cold in the beginning and too hot mid-race. I have yet to find a happy medium. It's also confusing to me that sweating like a pig is okay in the summer, but in the other seasons I can't tolerate it. I settled on capri tights and a light-weight, long-sleeved top
On with the race!
From my previous time on Fortress Bragg, I vaguely remembered where the trail for this run was located, and remembered that the majority of it would be on a sandy path. I didn't really think too much about it as MM and I made our way toward the the front of the pack at the starting line. When it was time we set off at a pace which felt a little fast for me, but I decided to try to stick with it thinking I was just cold.
MM got out in front of me right away, claiming he was running our normal 8-minute pace. Although the beginning of the trail was packed sand, I had trouble keeping up, and was chasing the soles of MM shoes in the first mile.
MM stayed about 50 meters in front of me and I continued to try to close the gap, until we rounded the corner around mile two and I huge sandy hill loomed in front of us. The sand was really thick and loose and was bogging down my stride. MM was un-phased and powered up the hill. When I reached the top of the hill, MM was nearly 100 meters in front, and he turned around to retrieve me....
Not only was this unbelievable, it was mortifying to me.
MM, of course just thought he was being supportive and decided that it would be a bad idea to employ this tactic again.
I just could not keep up with him. No matter how hard I tried I just felt overly exhausted and the sand just kept bogging me down and making my legs heavy. The deep sand was killing me and I was struggling. I was passing some people who attempted to bring strollers on the course and I was really feeling sorry for them!
The original goal was to run an even 48 minutes, however, that is not what happened. I was lucky to push out an 8:07 pace and ended up running a 50:30. Not too bad, but still not the goal.
MM finished just ahead of me and we collected our finishers coin. We were both still freezing, so MM ushered me past the food and water and we headed straight for our vehicles.
Even though it was just a 10k, I felt pretty terrible after my shower and a massive headache had set in. All means of water, caffeine and even aspirin, didn't kick it and I ended up sleeping most of the day.
It wasn't even until later that evening when I logged onto my computer did I find out I won second place in my age category by reading my running group's facebook page. Thanks Brian Dolan!
I was pretty surprised because 50:30 wasn't even a PR for me!
The next day at work, I contacted the race director and he agreed to meet me to pass of my medal.
In Summation: Race wear=a Science; Racing with MM=a Little Strange; Sandy Trails=Unfavorable; Oddly Tired=Unpleasant; Winning Second Place=Nice!; Missing Medal Ceremony=No Fun; Headaches=No Fun; Running Group=Awesome! Faith in Mankind=Buried Under Some Fort Bragg Pine Straw
