Sunday, November 13, 2011

MISSION INN 10K RACE

Redemption.
I accomplished that today.

This is the 2nd race that I revisited since I started running last year: The Misssion Inn 10k.
Last year this was my first 10k ever.  I sucked big time but I finished it and I was happy that day.  I did not care about the time.  This year I did care about the time.

This is NOT an easy course.  It has some HILLS.  I don't like running hills and I am not very good at it either.  I knew where they were and how bad they were, the last one right after mile 5 is the worst, one of those where you think you are at the top and then ooops a turn and it still goes up...crap.

The weather was PERFECT:  46 degrees at the start, no wind, sun was out. 




This time I parked myself near the front to try to escape the walkers and the strollers.  That race had a great start, plenty of room no need to stop and go.  I wanted to start strong because I knew the hills would slow me down, so I did try to "bank" time a bit.  I felt pretty good and first 3 miles went by really fast.  First 5k at 29:27.  I saw Bill and the kids there.  I saw him first and I started waving and yelling his name from far away like a crazy person. 



Mile 4 I almost puked but I kept it clean.  Right after miles 5, the nasty hill...yikes...I had to walk a little.:(  Next year I will prepare better for this one.  I wanted to have a strong finish.  I knew the course and when we arrived at the last turn I was able to push and pick up the pace a little and have a good finish, that is a rare thing for me because usually I panic when I see the finish line.




So last year at that race my time was 1:11:59.  Not good.
One year later my time is 1:03:04.  No PR and still not breaking any speed record
But
Almost 9 minutes improvement on that course, I'll take it.

I have no complains about this race, the volunteers were nice, plenty of water stations along the way, did not stop at any but I appreciated the cheers at each of them.  It started right on time with a good start.  No medal but that is OK.  They had medals for the first 100 males and 100 females and the top 3 finishers.

I like this local race and I will be back next year for sure.



Talking parrots: Napoleon and Josephine! They were hilarious and the boys loved them!!


Today I stepped on the scale and I have officially lost 75 lbs.
Like someone said to me "that is a little person!"

Be sure to comeback for my next post for my GIVEAWAY !!!

25 comments:

a runner said...

When I see the pics of you running, you LOOK like a runner, Caroline. You look very fit and like you know what you're doing. And THAT is very, very cool :)

bobbie said...

Awesome Job! I would be VERY HAPPY with a 9min improvement! Great Job on the 75lbs also :)

Annet and Kirk said...

Would love to read and see a "before and after" post - 75 lbs is amazing. Love to read about other people's journeys and so would love to read how you did it (guessing it wasn't straight into running?)
Great job!!

Jim ... 50after40 said...

I always forget about all of the weight you've lost until you mention it in a post - amazing. You just look like a tall skinny runner! I agree about being familiar with the course - this helps me so much. Most of the time at marathons, I try to drive the course once or twice. It just helps me to mentally know where there are hills and try to be familiar with the surroundings. I run much better when I'm familiar with the course. Congrats on the great race!

Laura said...

Congrats on some many things:
a great race
how awesome you look
on losing a small person!

middleagedrunner said...

GREAT JOB! A 9 minute imprevement is huge, well done!
Looks like a beautiful day for a race too- I'm jealous of your weather (now- not when it is 200 degrees out for sure!)

Vanessa @ Gourmet Runner said...

Amazing job! That is a huge improvement in one year on the same course. Great photos as well!
:)

Boston Bound Brunette said...

I definitely agree with you on your description of the course. The last hill was the worst and who wants to see a hill when they are almost done! You shaved a lot of time off since last year!! That's great!! 75 pounds of lost weight is incredible!! Congratulations on finishing your race and for your incredible weight loss. I was looking at your future races and we are doing a lot of the same races. Maybe because we live in the same area :) Have a great week!!

The Unexpected Runner said...

Congratulations! That's a great PR on a hard course...well done! And I'm glad you were feeling good too :)

Kate Geisen said...

What a huge improvement on what sounds like a challenging course. Way to go!

75 pounds is a lot. That's awesome. :) When I got married, I was about 70 pounds lower than my high...probably only about -40 now. Still, I'll take it until I get it back down.

Laima said...

Awesome job - you look strong - and happy in your pics!

bobbi said...

Congrats!! You DID amazing, and you LOOK fantastic - I had no idea that you'd lost 75 pounds...what a fab accomplishment! :)

Big Daddy Diesel said...

Congrats on the race and super congrats on losing 75 pounds

Carla said...

Congratulations on a great race and on your weight loss. I agree with the other posters that you look like you've always been thin. And I'm glad I'm not the only one who goes a little crazy when she sees her family on the course.

Tricia said...

Congrats on the PR!!

Carrie@familyfitnessfood.com said...

Congrats!! Awesome improvement. You do look like a runner, fit and strong. 75 ponds is fantastic.

Jenn said...

Great job!!! 9 minutes is a super improvement! I love all the pictures and man, I sure wish I was still racing in shorts. Heck, I'm in full winter gear right now!! 46 no wind and sunny is PERFECT conditions!

75 pounds! That IS a little person!!! And look at you and your sweet boys! Love it!

Terzah said...

You look awesome and congrats on the giant PR! Local races are the best. I didn't realize you are also a weight loss survivor--very much in awe of that.

Christy @ My Dirt Road Anthem: A Runner's Blog said...

May I just say you look amazing! i was admiring those long thin yet muscly legs of yours. I didn't know you struggled with your weight before you really do look amazing!

Great job on a course PR of 9 big minutes!

Christine said...

Congrats!!! 9 minutes faster on a hilly course is HUGE!! Your hard training is paying off :)

Elle said...

You don't look like a woman who has lost 75 pounds, you look like a strong athlete. Awesome pics of you running.

Nice going on the 9 minute improvement too.

A great day all round!

Glenn Jones said...

Congratulations! Way to make it back after the little issue at Long Beach.

Nelly said...

Nice job on the race! Sounds like it went perfect! A 9 minute improvement over last year is gigantic. And 75 pounds lost is amazing.

And 46 degree running weather really is perfect!

Yea, American football does take some getting used to, with the breaks between plays, I guess it is good for American spectators since we can look away for a second until the next play starts. I do like to watch rugby too (especially New Zealand) - that sport is non stop.

Good idea on waiting until your kids are older to go to DC, that way they will appreciate it more and realize what they are looking at. I'd suggest maybe even when they are in high school or so.

Fruit Fly said...

75 pounds?? Wow!
This whole post I kept checking out your legs and the awesome muscles you're always sporting!

Congrats on shaving 9 minutes off of your time. That is huge! It sounds like a really great event!

Tough Guy said...

Wow, sounds so great and I love those pics. Congratulations for a great job well done and looking forward always.