I entered the base's Turkey Trot and during a momentary lapse of judgement or perhaps overconfidence in my current level of fitness I checked the box next to the 10K instead of my usual 5K preference. I think I may have only ever done one other 10K, and now I remember why I don't usually run that far. It hurts. And although 6.2 miles doesn't sound all that long, it is. Especially if you are more of the sprinter variety and don't know a thing about pacing yourself. At about mile two I was regretting my decision. Instead of just kicking in that last mile, I had a whole
nother 5K to run. :(
Like a
real runner I was trying not to use my
iPod but had it safely tucked into my
sportsbra, along with my car key, in case I needed it. I eventually put it on but I was already so tired that I couldn't find a song that could pump me up (not even
Eminem - who has helped me through the pain of two labors - could help me), but I had to leave it on because the alternative was to listen to myself sucking wind.
This was nothing like the turkey trots in middle school. Or maybe I'm just not the turkey trotter I once was.
On a positive note - the weather was a gorgeous 42 degrees - see Mt. Rainer below. And even though the race was free, they used the ChampionChip timing system, they had great finish line treats (thanks to REI and some other local sponsors), a goody bag with a t-shirt, cd, a koozie (you know - a can-insulator) with a caveman on it and some weird white towel thing that you might find in a hospital surgery room.
And thank you Melissa for watching my kids so I could punish myself.
-
-Time: 54:... (haven't seen an official time yet and was too tired to make note of the large clock at the finish line.
