Where do I start? What a day! As I mentioned in yesterday’s post I haven’t been feeling myself all week. Well today was no different. I woke up feeling kind of queezie and debated not going. But I’m a stubborn old fool runner, lol. I ate my usual, a protien shake and vel bar, for breakfast. It didn’t sit well nor did it stay in my system long. I dressed anyhow and headed for the race site for the Robert Hamilton Memorial Race - 5/10 miler. Hubby was tagging along to be my chaufeur and photographer.

We arrived in plenty of time but the parking lot was already full and we had to park a block away. No biggy for me, but hubby complained. Remember he’s not a full fledged runner yet. Anyhow a lot of my running friends were already milling about. I chatted with Karen for a bit. She was marshaling. Sarah showed up shortly after. It was almost race time and I could see the port-a-poti line up was building so I opted to get in line. There were only three of them but the line up moved fast. Unfortunately I took a little longer in there then most and well I had to say “sorry” as the next one in line headed over there. Sarah told me later she felt bad for me as she got the same poti and thought “wow, she really isn’t feeling good”. Enough said about that as I tried my best to think happy thoughts…lol.

I did a short jog down the road and back to warm up. While it looked like rain, so far it had held off. It was a tad cool, somewhere around 10C but for me that was about perfect. I was wearing the usual spandex shorts and pink tank top. Others were wearing anything from shorts to full pants and long-sleeved tops. Time to race. We lined up. It was a small crowd and no chip timing. This race is stricktly “gun time”. No biggy as with a small crowd of runners I suspect I was across the startline within seconds of the race director yelling “GO”.

I managed to stay with the crowd for about 200 meters and started to fall back. I wished Sarah good luck as she headed off. It wasn’t long before she disappeared into the distance along with most of the other runners. Karen was marshaling just pass the bridge at our first turning point. She had written some cheering words on the pavement with colored chalk. I felt like barfing but her cheers, words and happy face kept me going. There was a young girl running/walking just ahead of me. Anytime I got close she would pick it up. I joked that she was the rabit and I was her fox…lol. I don’t remember exactly where, I think it was around the 2 mile mark, I finally managed to pass her. We chatted briefly, she was only 11. Good for her! I headed on and not sure how, but managed to stay ahead of her. The results show her as finishing ahead of me, however, I suspect she turned early and ran the distance with her mother when she got back to her. Her mother had been just ahead of me.

I was happy to see the turning point and glad I hadn’t signed up for the longer distance. The only water station was at the turning point, just shy of the 2.5mile marker. I stopped briefly and sipped about half a small cup of water. Still feeling like crap I continued. I checked my time and knew there was no way in —- I was gonna make my goal. Oh well, new goal - just finish this dang race. I decided to try and aim for 1:10:00.

Despite not running at peak pace my heartrate had been high the whole time. Mr V kept yelling at me “Heartrate too High”. He’s never yelled at me that much before even when I’ve put more effort into it. He had only yelled at me a couple of times for going to fast and that was way back in the first km which I finished in 7:43. Kms after that were at a pace close to 9 minutes. Somewhere around the 5km mark things slowed a bit more to a pace of 9:35. After that I managed to speed it up a tad to just over 9 minutes a km.

The speedy runners for the 5 miler had long ago passed me. Actually all the 5-milers were now well ahead and many likely already done. Now the speedy 10-milers were zipping by. Many running by and looking like it was so easy. Just not fair…lol. Some were straining though and I could even hear their heavy breathing over my shuffle player. I cheered them all on and a few yelled “Go Dawn” as they ran by. Kathy rode by on her bike and shortly after I passed her as she was shooting photos of us. I managed to smile and try and look good as I passed her.

Finally, the home stretch, Sarah joined me somewhere just past the last mile marker. She had brought along a friend and my hubby who snapped some more photos. Karen was marshaling again at the turn point to head off for the last km. She was a site for sore eyes…lol. Having Sarah along helped me pick up my pace and I was doing just over 8 minutes a km. Sarah stayed with me until just before the turn to the finish. Then she peeled off and I really picked it up. Despite feeling like crap, I still had to try and finish strong. My pace crossing the finish line was just under 5 minutes. Not my top speed for a sprint finish but dang good for today. My finish time 1:10:50, dang close to my second goal.

After race food was bagels, cookies and juice. I had a bagel with peanut butter and a strawberry kiwi juice. It seemed to help but I did have to christen another port-a-poti shortly after. The draw prizes were being done slightly different. To raise funds for the Mustard Seed (helps the needy/homeless) the prizes were being auctioned off via silent auction. I but a bid in on a $375 gait analysis pkg. There were lots of great prizes and the bids went high quickly. There was only one other person bidding on the pkg I wanted. It started out at $75 and my last bid was $90. Thankfully it went no higher and I was the successful bidder…wooohooo. Not sure how much they raised, but I think it was definitely a success.

As I said earlier the rain had held off but only for the race. There was a slight drizzle as the prizes and awards were presented. Some had umbrellas. I was thankfull I had brought along an oversized hoddie and was now huddled under it. I scanned the race results. Hmmm myself and one other guy were the oldest in the 5 miler. We were also the only ones in the 50+ age group. Soooooooooo guess what, I got first place in my age group. Heh, I’ll take it. Sarah also took first place in her age group. Yeah Sarah!

Oops I almost for got to mention, I actually I did forget, sorry Leana. Karen reminded me later. Thanks Karen. Anyhow, Leana and I have chatted via blog comments and we finally got to meet at the race as well. Be sure to check out her write up on the race.

As we headed home the light rain became an all out downpour. After getting home, I opted for a much needed nap. I’ve only put a few photos in here so be sure to check out the links below to see the rest.

Hope you all had a great weekend.