Angel was not feeling well, so I ended up running alone. I have never been to Shelton before, at least not to my recollection, so I was trying to figure out where registration was. Once I finally did, and after parking in a 2 hour parking spot, I realized the start line itself was a couple miles down the road. I could have made it by walking, but since I really didn't have a clue where I was or where the start line was, I was SO thankful to learn that the hospital was shuttling participants by school bus. So, I found my way to the bus line, did some stretching, got my iPod setup, and boarded once the bus arrived.
I like to chew gum while I run: it could be mental, but it seems to help prevent my throat from drying out and help with my breathing. I'd say the majority of the time I do not chew it, but I think it just helps me salivate. Anyway, I realized on the bus ride that I forgot GUM! I kept telling myself not to worry about it, that everything would be fine, to try to get the panicky feeling to go away. It's funny in hindsight, that the thought of not having gum had such an influence on my feelings, but at the time, I was actually worried!
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| Drug of choice |
So the bus pulled off to drop us with the rest of the runners who had been dropped off previously. To be honest, I was thinking this would be some what of a hillbilly event, simply because it's "Shelton", which I really know nothing about. But when I got off the bus, I was surprised to see some very serious looking runners and some very trendy runners! I felt a little out of place, but thought "it doesn't matter...you're not here to compare yourself with anyone here.." It did make me laugh to see SO many of the women wearing very fancy running clothes with their hair all done up and loads of make-up. Sure, I put on a little touch up cover-up to hide my lingering red blemishes and some mascara - But had I known I was entering a runners beauty contest, I'd have spruced myself up a bit! ;-) So with my wet pony tail, dry mouth and butterflies, the shotgun fired and I took off.
The first part was a pretty long and a progressive decline...which made me worry about the incline that was sure to come! But my Britney, Fergie and other ladies helped me stay focused and go go go. I was passed quite a bit, but by a mile and half, I was passing them! hehe
I had no idea what type of course this 7 mile run was going to be. I guess I never even thought about it. Boy was I in for a surprise. It was running on back county roads, which were not closed off to drivers- so it was imperative to keep looking ahead, around corners, and to especially be looking up on the many, many hills, to ensure no vehicles were coming!
The toughest part of the whole race for me was at mile marker 2.5 - We were told there would be water there and when I saw the little table, I thought "I'm only at 2.5 miles?!" My throat was SUPER dry and my saliva was gross and thick. My throat was the type of dry that you have to collect your spit for at least 4 different swallows, just so it doesn't feel like stabbing when the saliva goes down. The stretch right before the water stop was in the direct sunshine, which felt nice at first, but the water stop was in the middle of a pretty steep hill. I slowed down, picked up a glass of water and chugged the WHOLE thing. I trucked it up the hill where we were directed to turn a corner. As I rounded the corner, all I could feel was my stomach churn, some nastiness enter the back of my throat and I kept thinking "don't throw up, don't throw up, don't throw up..." I stopped running and began walking VERY slowly. A few runners passed me and I thought "What if I have to have Taylor come get me? Should I turn around and walk back?" NO! I just COULDN'T! My nausea subsided and I picked up my pace. I ran and ran and ran and never stopped again until....THE FINISH LINE! Woot woot!
As I crossed the finish line, I was SO proud of myself, I had even forgotten about not having gum, or wondering if the new pants I was wearing ($2 Gap running pants I scored at Goodwill last weekend that I did not have to adjust ONCE) were showing off any sweat marks (if you know what I mean). I just took in the moment, grabbed some water, walked it all off and mentally patted myself on the back. Unfortunately I didn't get any pictures because I didn't have my camera and I didn't want to ask a stranger to take a pic. Once I thought about asking someone, I realized there wasn't even a Finish Line banner. LOL!
I made my way to the results board, and saw my time posted as - 1:07:43! For some reason I thought this time reflected more than 70 minutes, so was a tad bit disappointed. I even sent Taylor a text message that read " Not bad for all those hills!!! I'm so proud! I was hoping for 69:?? Oh well YAY!!" I really and truly did not realize until about an hour after I got home that I actually finished in 67 MINUTES and 43 SECONDS!! Once it dawned on me, I was SOOOOOO thrilled!!! Even now, just thinking about how I felt yesterday, makes me smile. Sure a tad bit less than a 10 minute mile may not be super impressive, but it was for me!
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| My number, my new shoes which served me very well 1:07:43 |
"Don't let the fear of the time it will take to accomplish something stand in the way of your doing it. The time will pass anyway; we might just as well put that passing time to the best possible use." Earl Nightingale
Heck yah Earl, I even had about a minute to spare!
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