National Veterans Day 11K

What a fun way to spend a Friday morning.  Yet another small event reminding me that I really really just love the small local events.

That being said, this was organized by a company out of Dallas and run in 9 cities and virtually across the country.  And as an inaugural event, they did pretty well.  It felt a bit disorganized at first (my bib didn't show up until Thursday) but when we got there it all ran smooth.  They were able to get all the people who hadn't registered all signed up and we were off right on time.  The course was an easy out and back and they had the best volunteers.  They were all teenagers and they were so darned nice -- they passed out water with encouraging words and did a bunch of cheering as well.  The ones handing out t-shirts and medals just seemed extra pleasant.  Not sure where these kids came from but they were an awesome bunch -- and that just added to the overall good vibe of the race.  It also helped that the temps were perfect (low 50's) and the predicted rain waited until we were all done before it decided to show up.

I went into this thinking I'd push it but just not sure of what I could do -- I've done no speed work since Sept and have been slogging along in my morning runs of roughly the same distance.  And I while I certainly wasn't going to break any speed records, I did manage to hold an 8.30 to 8.40 pace for the entire 11k, including the run back which was into the wind. I was happy with that since most of my early morning runs are anywhere from a 9.15 to a 9.45 pace and they feel like work.

But, the best part was I think I came in about 13th overall female.  Which really just cracks me up because you see from my pace I wasn't particularly fast.  But -- it was predominately male race (lots of current and ex military -- nice!) and just not a lot of females.  What was fun was as I was coming up towards the turn around (since it was an out and back) I noticed that it took awhile to see the first female -- then the second -- and then the third -- and then I knew I was getting closer and closer to the turn around so I started paying attention.  I got up to 12 girls ahead of me when I hit the turn around so for a flash I suddenly knew how cool it felt to be up there in placement -- even if not speed.  Anyway, I ended up passing one girl but then got passed by two others -- so that puts me at lucky number 13!!  But allowing for the fact that it was chipped timed, I'm really not sure.  The results aren't posted yet.

Anyway, it was a really good time.  I chatted with plenty of people on the route and everyone was happy to be out there.  It was also reassuring to realize my miles building isn't completely taking away my ability to push it when necessary and when I start speed work in January I should be in pretty good shape.  Yay!