Since the last post, I walked the Springtime Tallahassee 10K course, as I was told that it was VERY hilly. And man, it was! I walked the course two weeks ago and timed myself. I meticulously charted the course, and my sweet husband accompanied me on his bike as I recon-ed the course. I made a wrong turn and walked a block out of the way, then back, but I finished in 1:57, 3 minutes from the time limit. I felt really good about being able to finish. Last weekend I did a recovery walk (5K).All week this week I had been anxious, or eager. I just wanted to get it done. I felt confident until last night when my husband asked if I was nervous. Well, I couldn't sleep, as I think that's typical for race participants, and I had a nightmare that I had walked the course with no minutes to spare. Then I was walking around with my husband, my brother and his wife and I looked over to see people running and I freaked out. "What time is it! Oh My God the race!!" I was trying to get them to take me to the start line and my husband said, "No, you're not going. You already walked it once today. No need to do it twice." He laughed when I told him about this dream.
Then this morning, I had a bit of a panic attack on the way to the race. But I got a hold of myself, I was dropped off and I had some time to get mentally prepared for it. I ran into former colleagues, caught up on life, and then it was time to race!
I was fine, just kept a steady pace and ended up passing people on the course. My husband was at the finish line, texting me words of encouragement. I would text him with each mile I passed. Somehow I missed the Mile Five marker and when I thought I was not going to make it I asked someone if we had passed it and she said "Yeah, .4 miles back!" That gave me the boost I needed. I rounded the next to last hard left when I saw my husband on the sidewalk cheering me on. He walked with me for the last .2 miles. I was pleasantly shocked to find out that the course I walked two weeks ago was longer and the finish line was closer! According to records, I finished 1:46:03 - plenty of room to spare for the time limit.
I wasn't sure if I would get a medal because it was dependent on the number of racers, but I did indeed receive a medal! I felt so good making it through a 10K race. I've been pretty much toast the rest of today, but I think I deserve it.
After the practice walk two weeks ago, I signed up for two more 10Ks. I am having so much fun and I'm really looking forward to training for the half marathon.
One foot in front of the other!!
