10K RacePR and FFFK and pics

Phew..What a busy day! Started out early and ended late. I had a 10K race, car shopping,Valentines dinner and a hockey game all on the schedule today.
I'll start with the car shopping. I finally received my settlement from the insurance co. today after 2+ weeks after my wreck. I didn't buy anything, but I got the chance to look at quite a few vehicles and figure out costs. Due to the economy, car prices are down and rebates are up which is good for me! Went to 5 car lots - argued with 2 salesman, punched out another, and entered into hostile negotiation with the other 2. Just kidding, but real darn close. I hate cocky, know-it-all, lying salesman. Why can't buying a car be as simple as buying bubblegum? Needless to say, I will only be visiting the last 2 before I buy a car/truck on Tuesday.

Today I had a 10K race on the schedule and I dedicated it to Nancy as did a multitude of other runners. Poor girl needs surgery due to a torn labrum caused by basic running. You never know when the "injury gremlin" is lurking!

I ran the StrawPlains 10K. This was the same race that I ran last year in 1:02:35 and injured myself by my inexperience(2months running.)
This race is a challenge due to its elevation changes(big hills), but I still had a goal to break an hour. My previous 10K was 59:42 on a flat course. I couldn't have run this race any better. I finished in 58:59 clock time and 58:50 chip time(9:29 avg). A new PR by a full minute on big hills!! My long run days have been on hills for the past 2 months and boy did it make a difference. I surprised myself on this one.

The last part of my day finished with Dinner and a hockey game with the fam.

Very busy day it was - 1AM as a blog this. Happy Valentines to you ladies because we know that this holiday is not for us..
I will try to catch up on yall's(TN slang) blog this weekend.

Worldwide Festival Of Races

Today I ran a 10K race for the Worldwide Festival Of Races, formerly the "The Zen Run 10K." On the weekend of 11-12 October 2008 runners from around the world will 'virtually' come together to celebrate their passion for the sport they love by running The Worldwide Festival of Races Half Marathon, 10K and 5K distances.

I really wanted to run the half marathon distance, but didn't have anyone else to run it with, but the 10K was fun anyway.

My goal was to beat my previous 10K and the "1 hour" barrier. I ran my first 10K back in February in 1:02:35 in a hobbling mess. I started out @ a 9:45 pace and stayed consistent with my 5K split @ 30:10. I felt very good at that point and fought the urge to run faster and "tanking." I would have to pick up the pace "a little" though on the last 5K in order to beat 1 hour. The run and race went great, with me finishing in 59:42 (9:36 pace). A new PR!!! Never felt that I was killing myself throughout the entire run. You are supposed to be dying in races.. haha. So the cool thing is maybe, just maybe I am getting "into shape."

First 10K Race

I was able to check off another running mark off my "to do list." I ran my first 10K today @ the Strawberry Plains 10K/Half Marathon race. This was my most enjoyable race to date. Along with the friends that participated, I met a few more along the way. As far as I am concerned running is fun by itself, it is even more fun running with friends and colleagues.
I want to congratulate Kate for finishing first in her age group, she finished in the 54min range ; which is freaking awesome in my book. The were handing out awards after the race, and she didn't get into the gym until after her name was already called. One of her friends looked at the race board and noticed that she finished first. After she found out, she was pumped!! We " high 5'd" many times .LOL! GJ Kate..
Good event, good turnout. The 10K//1/2 marathoners all started out at the same time. The usual jumbled mass of people at the starting line ensued and "creeping" up to the first quarter mile. Out and back course. My plan: was to start @ 10min/mile and do neg splits the rest of the way. Yes, that WAS the plan. Try to finish around 60mins. Realistic goal: 1hr 2mins = 10min/mile. 1) 9:57 2) 19:48 3) 29:45 Felt great @ 5k mark. Wasn't pushing it at all(smiling and talking to others), but the first half was flat to downhill. Turnaround and back. " I know you can read between the lines" on this one. You never pay attention to how much the downhills are until you have to run back up them. 2 flat areas about 1/2 mile total, the rest was uphill! The smiles and talking disappeared, and the heavy breathing and grunting ensued.
4) 40:15 5) 50:20 Final) 1hr 2mins 35secs. One thing I can honestly say is that I gave everything I had !
Was it slower than expected? Yes. Am I dissapointed? A little.. Did I have fun? ABSOFREAKINLUTILY!!!!!
You like that word, huh? hehehe