A Prelude to a Holiday....T-Day

...Or Pinehurst Turkey Trot...

I know, I know...It's a day before Christmas and I'm just now writing about my Turkey Trot race that happened a week before Thanksgiving! But I guess as the old saying goes 'better late than never!' On with the race.

Mighty Mouse (MM) and I had been planning to run this race for a couple of weeks. Apparently, he's been talking about it at work and some of his friends decided to run it too. Now because there are more of us, we decided to all meet up together on post and head to Pinehurst together. This really backed up the travel timeline and it meant another early morning wake up on Saturday, early as in 5 am.  After a quick breakfast I drove onto post to meet up with MM and his Merry Men. We were a total of six runners from Fort Bragg.

Again, it was freezing. I chose a long-sleeve top and a capri pants and I was a freezing in the beginning. After a long wait we had about a block walk to the start line, where the race directors informed us there would be an additional 10-minute delay to the start of the race. This was particularly annoying because despite the fact that it was a sunny day, I was absolutely freezing and we were all ready to start the race.

Finally, the race started and we all took off together. I was so cold, I couldn't wait to get warm. MM and I tried to take off at an 8-minute pace, but the start of the race was so crowded this was really difficult. MM and I picked our way through the crowd trying hard not to throw any elbows. Two of MM's co-workers fell behind and the rest of fought the crowd hoping it would thin out.

Our goal at the outset of the race was to run a 1:45 or better. I didn't accomplish our goal during the previous week's race, so I really wanted this one.
Around mile three things started to get a little better I was finally warm and and we started to get a good pace going. The other two of MM's friends drifted ahead, and we didn't see them again until the finish.

Things seemed to be on track as we rounded the 6 mile mark, I was tired, but MM was plugging along, not even out of breath. In fact, his effortlessness and bouncy little stride started to annoy those that we passed. MM was happy as he noted that our 10k time was faster than last week's race pace.

This news pushed me through miles 7 and 8 and I worked hard as some hills presented themselves starting at mile 9.  The uphill climbs slowed me down, but MM was able to push through with little to no problem. It was around this point I felt like I was starting to get too warm.

The hills continued through miles 10 and 11 and became increasingly annoying. MM was plugging through and we linked up with 'Pony-Tail Girl' who was struggling to keep up with us.
MM peeled off to use the bathroom and promised to keep catch up with us. Pony-Tail Girl and I  seized this opportunity to try to go a little faster so that MM would have to work extra-hard to catch us. Diabolical I know, but his effortless running was annoying us.

MM showed back up and the little bit of speed I put forth started to take it's toll. MM announced that we would have to go a little faster if we intended to make our 1:45 goal. Pony-Tail Girl took this seriously and pulled ahead. MM, ever loyal, stayed back to motivate me to the finish.

The hills continued and we pushed through, but the last mile had a at least a quarter-mile hill and pushing to the top we still had to round a long corner until we got to the end.

MM, still full of fire and vinegar performed some finish line dance moves for the crowd, while I just tried not to die.

I came in at 1:45:49 to which I announced goal accomplished, as it's 1:45 until it's 1:46! We averaged around an 8:04 minute-per-mile pace. I am pretty pleased with this time, but really, expected to go a bit faster. Also, I felt ok after the race, but I'm not sure if I could have done another 13 miles at that pace. I definitely need to choose a race and get a training program underway.

In Summation: Barely Accomplishing Goal Time=Better Than Just Missing Goal Time; MM=Really Good Runner; Hilly Race-Courses=Unpleasant; Wardrobe Choice=Poor; Faith in Mankind=Must Have Been Being Passed Out at the Water Station She Didn't Stop At