After a couple of months away from this blog, I finally have something worth writing.
My first race ever and I ran a 10K!
I know there’s much other family news for me to catch up on, but this is important.
It all started when I signed up for a free entry to this race. Why not? If I can get the entry fee waived, I’ll run it. After a week or so I received an e-mail letting me know I had not won…but there’s still time to sign up! I went to site and s-o-m-e-o-n-e clicked on the “sign up here” link. All right, I’m in.
With about 4 weeks of prep, I immediately upped my training regimen from the usual 5K in the morning 2-3 times per week to 6K, then 7K+. In the week leading up to the race I switched to road work instead of indoor on a track and did a 9K. Ten is going to suck, but I’m pretty sure I can do it.
(Let’s be real. It’s a “race” in name only. Finishing upright while still maintaining a pace that a bystander would not call a fast walk will be a win.)
I wonder where the race goes. Hey, the route is posted on the site. OK, it starts at the capitol, goes down to campus, past campus, back through town, past Camp Randall, bike trail to West Wash., then finishes at the capitol. Easy peasy.
Oh, wait a minute. The start is downhill away from the capitol, then up for a block to the Edgewater hotel. Nothing major, and it’s real early in the race so it should be no problem. Wait another minute. Slow and steady down past the frat houses to the Memorial Union, then UP Observatory Drive? Who’s idea of a joke is that? OK, that part of the race is still relatively early, but I’m pretty sure I won’t like it. Coming down the hill on the other side is almost as difficult to slow down so your body doesn’t get ahead of your feet. A variety of ups and downs through town, then along a nice, flat bike path before slugging up West Wash. back to the capitol to finish. Here’s the map and an elevation view.
There were 2 water stations along the route which were quite welcome. However, have you ever tried to drink while running? Try it. You’ll spill all over yourself. It’s quite attractive. Next time I’m grabbing 2 because only about half gets in your mouth.
I posted a link to a picture of the tear-away coupon on everyone’s running bib. A bit surprising (but not really) to see that you get a free beer at the finish. Yes, I thoroughly enjoyed my Michelob Ultra. I had to have something to wash down the pizza they were also handing out upon finishing the race. Kept it all down, too.
An evening run like this is definitely the way to go. It’s held the night before the Marathon (already cancelled due to the predicted heat) and Half Marathon, and the weather really cooperated for us runners. Sign me up for next year!
Here is video that Hannah took of me crossing the finish line. (A tip – turn down your speakers. Did I mention it’s Hannah taking the video?)
That’s me jumping up to – and coming up short of – the finish line banner. Classic. Hey, I was tired.