The Morning After
November 27th, 2009 § 5 Comments
Hi friends! How was your Turkey Day? Or just your Thursday in general if you are not a citizen of the good ‘ol U.S.A.? Mine was pretty darn good – started with a race and ended with a big old dinner – who could ask for more?
I woke up bright and early in Austin to this:
I ate my pre-race breakfast (peanut butter bagel and banana) packed up my gear and we headed to downtown Austin. We got there pretty early so I could pick up my bib and my chip. It was pretty chilly out – in the 40s – and people actually ran the race with North Face jackets and long pants. Oh, you Southerners – this is nothing! Come up to my neck of the woods in about two months!!
Then we just hung out for about an hour. There were several different events going on – a Kids 1K, the 5-mile Turkey Trot and a 1-mile walk. All three benefitted Caritas, an Austin charity. About 30 minutes before race start, the 5-milers started to line up. I said goodbye to my family and joined the pack. I stretched, tried to zone myself out, ya know. I don’t really have too many pre-race traditions except to say a prayer and just kind of slap my legs (it sounds weird but I did it for my first so I did it again) it’s as if to say c’mon let’s DO THIS! Then I took off!
As I said in an earlier post, my goal in this race was to just finish. I had not researched the course, and I hadn’t really run a good five miles before the race. Guys, I was not prepared. In my first race, I had so much adrenaline, I felt like I floated through the first mile. This time, my legs felt heavy then tight. I didn’t want to be running. I just felt unprepared. I decided to listen to my body rather than focus on other people – and people passing me. It’s so easy to psych yourself out in a race. There were lots of people walking the whole thing, or walking dogs or pushing strollers so I did slow down and walk more than a few times. The course had several hills, which I had never trained on – the stadium loop is flat. I cursed every one.
Did I mention that one of the soft pieces on my ear buds was missing? Yeah. The right side of my headphones simply did not stay put. I cannot run without music, so I just kind of winged it with one and a half.
I honestly didn’t pay attention to the scenery, either. I know it’s a beautiful city that I’ll get to explore more of this weekend. I was just focused on completing the course. I beat myself up a little bit and got discouraged a few times. At one of those points, a man ran by with one of my mantras on his back, “I can do all things through Christ. He strengthens me.” Guys, this is something I chant when I want to give up. It was like a sign – I just pushed on through. Near the end of the course, at another point of discouragement, I turned to see only another hill! I told myself, “Screw this, I am done with the hills.” I sprinted right up that sucker and low and behold – the finish line was in sight!
The crowds cheering helped motivate me – I sprinted through that finish line, threw my arm in the air, pointing my finger up to the sky and screamed, “Yes!” (I’m sure the professional picture will be great.) I finished in just over an hour, which I am satisfied with as it is pretty close to the pace of my first race.
The good thing is I am taking away a lot from this race and I plan to amp up my training. I will be doing a lot more core training, lifting and tackling different terrains. I really want to do a big race this year, but I have a lot of work to do.
After a few minutes, I found my family. It was completely awesome to have them there supporting me. I plan to make this race a tradition and my family wants to participate, too, which. is. awesome. y’all.
My apology to UT fans/alumni – didn’t quite get the Hook ‘Em Horns – I just ran a race people!
Surprisingly, I didn’t feel the urge to sleep the day away. Nor did I have a ravenous appetite. I also was not sore (until today). But, since it was Thanksgiving and all, I did eat some great food. Sorry guys, I only managed to snap a before shot.
P.S. Totally love my parents’ new house.
The little one in the foreground is my brother and sister-in-law’s dog, Norah. She’s a Brussels Griffin/Shih Tzu Mix (Shiffon) and completely CRAZY. She is our lab Loo’s shadow and hyper as can be. Also very tough to get a picture of or with. Here’s my best attempt.
Loo watches her like a hawk and has a slight “sibling rivalry.”
Then we watched the UT vs. Texas A&M game – my s-i-l went there and she and my brother are HUGE fans so lots of cheering and yelling ensued.
I’m not sure what the next two days hold for us. We’ll be shopping, eating out and hitting the town one of these nights. I’ll be posting again soon – have a fantastic Friday!
What are your plans for the weekend? Are you off or did you go Black Friday shopping today? After working retail for years and interviewing shoppers at 4 a.m. I will probably never participate!
WOW what an awesome race! looks like such a great day.
sounds like an awesome next two days too..shopping+eating out is my kind of thing!
I’m not going shopping today..too much craziness for me!
Cait,
Wow – you are a pioneer woman…going into the unknown of the Turkey Trot in Austin!!!
Congratulations in meeting your goal of finishing the race – in great time.
You are an inspiration to all!
Love,
Aunt Cheryl
hey cait!
I’m starting to get back into training. We should plan to run a 5 k together. Maybe next time I make it out to pittsburgh or if you come to visit philly. Congrats on the turkey trot I’ve never run a 5 mile race that’s quite an accomplishment.
[...] a jog for more than two minutes. Before my first 5K, I had never run three miles. Prior to my Turkey Trot, I had never run more than four. Today as part of my training, I’ll be running five. [...]
I know this is from a while ago, but…do you remember where you got the shorts you’re wearing UNDER your shorts? I feel too exposed in all my running shorts :-/