I was hoping for a time in the low 1:20s. I am so new to running that I am not sure what I can really do. I had voluntered my Scout troop to run one of the aid stations. We ended up being assigned the last one at mile 11. Since the young women didnt have any plans this month they ended up joining also. I built the a frame sprayer out of pvc pipe. I thought it might be helpfull. I recalled how hot it got there last year. Everyone I talked to sure appreciated the cooling that it gave.
Me, Mom, Brigitte, Ryan, Nate, and Tyler spent Friday night at Balsam in the motor home. It is so nice not to have to get up early to catch a bus. We wake up about 6:30 and casually walk to the start. It is nice to have a toilet and not have to stand in line at the porta-johns.
I moved to near the front for the start. I saw Travis, who I met at this race last year. The lead pack took off fast. I ran sub 6 min miles for the first 4 or so. I was feeling good even at that fast pace. I tried to look at my watch as little as possible and just feel how my body was doing. At the golf course I started to catch Travis. He seemed to be having some dificulty. I told him I needed him to pull me in. It must have worked for him because he slowly pulled away and I never caught up to him. The race started so late that the wife thought she had missed me at the mouth of the canyon so no needed boost there. I slowed at mile 10. Seeing my kids and all the others at the water station gave me a boost for a bit. At 12.5 the wheels started to fall off. A runner came past and told me to follow. I held on for a bit, but just didnt have it. Its OK, I am sure he was about 10 or more years younger than me. I was able to sprint the last bit on the grass. It always feels good to push so hard at the end. I just need to get so that I can extend the sprint for more of the finish. I was happy with the time. It is a new PR for the distance for me. I hope to be able to continue to improve. I am going to need more speed to keep up with Jun. |