Feb 17, 2008

Yahoo! My first 10K is in the books!

Remember when I posted about being nervous for today's race? Now you can all call me silly Running Knitter because today's run was AWESOME!


It was a chilly 40 degrees when I got to the start this morning. FYI - 40 degrees to Arizonians is cold. Here's a picture I took of Superstition Mountain while waiting to board the buses to the start.





The gun went off at 8 AM and off we went. One thing I quickly learned about this race is that beyond the start/finish area, there are NO spectators. If the crowd is what keeps you going, then this is not the race for you. Once you get out there, it's just you and the pavement. Thankfully for me, that's just the way I like it.



The course took us out 3.1 miles and back, and it's along the same route as the half marathon, and the last 3.1 miles of the full marathon. It's rolling hills were actually not that bad, but I had forgotten that some of the course was on dirt road.







This is near the turn around point, which of course was at the top of the hill.



When I saw this sign about medals yesterday at the expo, I thought "Ok, first 300 finishers get a medal. Well, my goal is to just finish, so I'm not going to worry about a medal." And now, I really don't have to worry about a medal, because I GOT ONE!



Overall, it was a great race. I had a little bit of trouble with side stitches around mile 3, but after slowing my pace and concentrating on my breathing, they went away. My time was better than I expected, and my pace was faster than most of my training runs. It was a really good run and I'm definitely doing it again next year.

Time: 1:21:44
Calories burned: 853 (double YAHOO!)

20 comments:

Southbaygirl said...

Three BIG CHEERS for Running Knitter!!! How awesome!!! And I understand the 40 degree temps since I'm in southern cal....us west coast peeps are weather wimps!!!

The pictures are awesome!!! Now you will always have pictures of your first 10k!!! Superstition Mountain looks stunning! What a great race!!

Congrats congrats congrats!!! A job very well done!!! You've done the first one -now you're an old pro !!! When's your next race?? :-)

I'm absolutely thrilled for you! I'm so glad is was a great experience for you!!!

AWESOME!!!

Southbay Girl

teabird said...

Silly!
Hooray!

krysten said...

WTG girl!!! you rock!

Laura said...

Congrats on the race and the great time and the medal! Love the new Ravelry pic. =)

Jenny said...

Yay! I wore my first medal all day I was so proud of it. Then I stuck it right on my night table so it would be the first and last thing I saw :) Made me feel like a champion :) GOOD JOB!

Lucy said...

Congratulations! I am jealous on so many levels - we've got snow and I'm waddling around... but that is just awesome! Great job!

Maryland Girl aka Michelle said...

MOST EXCELLENT! I like that quiet time running too. Me, my breath and my feet on the pavement. Way to go!

digitam said...

Yay, you did it! And it was awesome. Knew you could do it!

Pokey said...

OMG....why hadnt I figured out yet that you are in AZ??? Am I just totally oblivious? (no one answer that! ;)

What a great job on your first 10K!!!!! I was supposed to do the 8k trail run at Lost Dutchman, but the schedule didnt work out.

So tell me.....(via email if you prefer) where the heck are you?

Della said...

woo hoo !!!!
congratulations !!!
we all knew you could do it !!!

iamchanelle said...

awesome! go, you, go!

(and i loved your pic near the turnaround point - so pretty)

Dawn Mabry said...

GREAT GREAT job on your first 10K. What an awesome experience that is to cross the finish line. What beautiful scenery you had too. AND you even got a medal to document your achievement. WOOT WOOT!

Ellen Mae said...

What a great medal! congratulations on your first 10K. That is awesome!

I bet those hand warmers you knitted came in handy. They are a great idea.

Yasmin said...

Congrats! I'm working towards the infamous 10K myself.

I'm always scared of the races that say the first XX finishers will get a metal. I figure I won't get one.

I'm glad you did.

Jess said...

Nice job! And that's an awesome medal!

BTW, 40 degrees would be very cold here in FL as well. I expect I would've donned a wool hat and mittens for that kind of cold.

Southbaygirl said...

Yes I'm heading out for a run very shortly!!! And my dearest running companion, Velcro will be with me!! It's raining here in southern california-which i LOVE!!! It's stopped right now-I'd rather wait until it starts back up again...but I kinda want to go see a movie later!!!

At least I'm feeling better. i think I'm still battling a sinus infection. It's unbelievable how crappy they can make you feel!!!

Have you run this week? I think Valley Girl has decided to join maryland Girl and I ijn running the Country Music Half in nashville. I think she may have the bug now!!!

Linda said...

Congratulations!!!! Thats GREAT! WooHoo!!!!

I only wish I could run in 40 degrees. I am refusing to run in less than 20 and it is starting to show around my middle :-( Wanting Spring!

nonizamboni said...

Many, many congratulations! You did it and more. I'd forgotten the time was now!

You've been tagged, so when you get time, stop by.

Again, WOW!

Bec said...

Way to go! Cool medal!

J~Mom said...

Congrats on your 10K!! That is awesome!!