30K Delight.

First Loop

The race started earlier than any other race - and since it was supposed to be hot and humid - I was super thankful. My plan would be to get as many miles under my belt while the sun was down. The starting area was very hustle bustle with runners gathering everywhere, stretching, warming up, drinking coffee, using bathrooms.... The normal scene you see at any race start.

One of my running friends was talking to another running friend and he said.... "I hope I remember how many loops I do - remember last year he did one extra loop because he forgot"... WAIT WHAT? How can you forget how many loops you have run? Whoa - I immediately jumped in... What???? They told me one of our OTHER running pals forget which loop he was on - so at mile 16, he turned to do another course loop rather than going straight to the 18.8 finish line. I think I would know because my body would be screaming at me....

This race was going to be a bit of a challenge - I had heard the course was really rough, especailly on your legs. Well concrete in general is rough - but I heard this course would really tear my legs up. I didn't know how - so I was trying to mentally prepare myself.

I headed over to the race start while they were singing the national anthem. It was like singing birds - it was the perfect harmony of voices. It calmed me.

The gun went off but it took a few minutes for me to cross the start line. There were a lot of runners, approximately 1350.

Running into the Finish

After the first mile, I ran up next to one of my running friends (who is much older and slower) and told him, "Only 17 more to go!!"... He laughed and I told him he looked strong and to stay positive! I then passed him and started to look around me. This was a closed-headphone course, so I briefly closed my eyes and I heard all of our feet strikes in-sync, it was rhythmic.. It sounded like a beating heart - my mind wandered and I started thinking about work, life, love.. I started thinking about an artcile I had read - how elite runners do "body checks" during runs.... I decided to do one...

1. Toes - felt good
2. Feet - felt ok
3. Legs - felt strong
4. Abs - felt ok - could be stronger
5. Heart/Lungs - strong
6. Head/eyes/ears - alert

I felt good - I felt like the 18.8 I had set out for was going to be good. I kept pace with a fellow BCRR member - and we kept me right at the pace I wanted to be at.. Right in the 9s...

The first loop went by faster than I thought... Right at the turn around Steve and Bruce (BCRR members) screamed "Looking Good Kelli!"... Made me smile - I gave them a big WHOO HOO!

Second loop was also pretty uneventful... I started to feel my legs. I finally understood why everyone kept saying that the course would tear my legs apart.. At almost every intersection the flat pavement would suddenly become COBBLESTONE. Ugh, I tried everything to mitigate the rocks. I would speed up and lengthen my stride, in hopes to have as less of an impact that I could. It was brutal.

Half way through the second loop - I saw Steve and Bruce... "LOOKING GOOD KELLI"..... My reply: WHAA HOOO!!

The hard part was over... I kept saying, "Lets finish this.."

The last loop I started to slow - my legs were killing me. I was sooooo close to crossing that finish line! I kept moving, kept thinking it was almost over, kept pushing, digging deep. I ran towards the volunteer who held a sign that said.. (Second Loop, turn around... Third loop, go straight to finish!).... I started to count my loops.. CRAP how many had I run?? I only shouted WHAAA HOOO twice.. I didn't see Steve and Bruce.... Oh no...... What to do.... I snapped out of my mental reboot and looked at my Garmin, 16.9.... Time to hit the finish........ I ran straight ahead..

I tried to run harder but my legs were torn up. I tried to find that perfect stride, but I felt that the humidity and heat beaming down on my skin was defeating me... I started to talk to myself. "Do it, push through".. "Keep going" "Almost there"... I only passed a few runners.. I turned the last corner to find the crowd - and its like all the pain faded and I picked up my speed.... I ran through the crowed... turned slightly to the right and crossed the finish line.... As they gave me little dinky little medal (disappointed) I searched for water, and couldn't find any... Strange.. I started to cramp a little - and I was hobbling around... I decided I just needed to rest.. I got the typical banana, muscle milk..... and went straight over to the massage table... I actually bumped into another Oiselle Runner (Holly) and learned she DNF. She was really upset but was confident that it was the right decision since the Houston Marathon is only a few short weeks away.. I told her not to worry..... Everyone has to listen to their body..

I got on the massage table and the guy worked on my glutes.... They were the most tender part of my body.... I guess those cobblestones traveled up!

I'm glad I made it.. I'm glad I didn't give up on my run. I listened to my body. I finished strong. I am so proud of my time..... I wasn't the fastest - and I have so much room for improvement... But I am so happy.

Official Results - Sugarland 30K
18.85 Miles - 2:56:33
Average Pace 9:22/mi
Splits are all in the 9's!

What I am wearing
Oiselle Distance Shorts - Favorite!
Nike Stripe Singlet
Pro Compression Blue Argyle Socks
Saucony Kinvara3
Saucony Sports Bra