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| At the start of the race! |
A perk of my job for the last year has been I get national holidays off. And with my fourth of july off, I decided to run a 10 k as a part of my half-marathon training. I found the Medina Twin Sizzler race and signed up and was eagerly awaiting this race. The week before for my long run, I ran 6.2 miles with water bottles and fuel in order to practice. I was overjoyed at this pre-10k 10k because I ran it 5 minutes faster than my estimated time with my current mile pace. I walked around from Saturday - Wednesday knowing that I had this upcoming race in the bag. There was only one problem, there was no map or elevation course for my 10 k. And the race started at 9 am after a 5 k, fun run and bike race. But I continued to move about my week with optimism with a sense of obliviousness about what the actual race would entail.
My parents came in town for the 4th, and joined Kenny and I in our day of fun. First stop, Medina. The race began and ended in a very charming town square. It reminded my of Stars Hollow. We watched the 5 k finish, the bike races start and all the cute children of Medina leave on their fun run. Then it was time to get to business. Although the rules stated no headphones (which intially made me nervous- I've never run without music), everyone was wearing there's. I broke the rules too. With my shuffle on and ear phones in...I took off to the tune of "lose yourself" by eminem. (An Ashley's running classic).
The good news it that the race went on with out raining. But it was very humid. And Medina is VERY hilly. There were hill after hill after hill. One spectactor told my mom that the first 3 miles were mostly uphill. I agree. It was certainly the toughest course I have run. But, I kept running. U2, mumford, the weepies and Big and Rich kept my ears and mind happy and my legs going. And then around 1.5 miles, I started talking with a new running friend. I had never ran and talked at the same time. But I ran and talked with 2 co-runners until about 3.5 miles. Then we seperated and ran our own races. It was nice. In discussing my favorite things about the race to Kenny, it was that I finished (spoiler alert) and I made 2 new friends.
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| When I met K in the middle of the neighborhood. Look at my awesome belt! |
Around mile 4-5 I saw a familiar red shirt in the middle of a empty neighborhood. It was Kenny! He surprised me and after the start of the race he walked 1.5 miles to a place by the course. It was so nice to see him. His smile , love and pride kept me going until the end of my race.
I finished and saw my parents and Kenny cheering me on from the finish line. I am not the quickest of runners.... but I am a runner. And more importantly a runner who finishes what she sets out to do. It was so nice to see the finish line and to know that I had finished this goal. A few months ago I didn't know I could do this. But now I know.
Next on the list, the akron half--I'm officially registering this afternoon!!! I'm coming for you 13.1 sticker!!
