I ran my first 10k this morning. I finished in 1:17, I am pleased with this result even though I would love to be faster, I need to keep reminding myself I am just starting. I am still only six weeks into this idea and I completed my first 10k. I actually feel pretty amazing about this accomplishment.
I had a really bad five mile run a week and a half ago that made me realize, I will have some serious issues if I can't figure out my pre-race nutrition. I did a six miler this week a little slower than my pace today but had about 350-450 calories prior to my run. It was so much easier than the five miler. Today, I made sure to cram in at least 600 prior to the race. I started my day with two pieces of peanut butter toast with bananas sliced on top 1 hr 45 before the race start. Around 1 hour before race time I ate a Clif Pumpkin Pie bar. This was definitely the way to go for me, I felt full but not sick for the entire race. I need to balance my fluids a bit better because I got a stitch in my side to end all stitches in the side around mile 2. It was so bad I could actually feel the tightness with my hand. I walked more of mile two than any other mile.
A couple years ago I walked a 15k. I had no idea how to train, pace myself, or really even compete in a race. I was still able to learn so much that helped this time. The mantra "Just keep going!" works for walking or running. The right music at the right time can make all the difference. The 15k had DJ's and U2's Elevation kicked off my run to the finish that year. Today, I used my iPod (one ear only). Having more music than the time you expect to run your race is key, being able to hit the shuffle/forward button if the music isn't giving you what you need works well. I was able to use this in my later miles to set small goals for how long I would keep running. For the 15K I had sunglasses in my pack, but when coming around a corner from dark/shade to sun in your eyes they are difficult to fumble with. Today, I ran in a baseball hat and my sunglasses on, they are amber colored so I can wear them in lower light and still see just fine. After the 15k, I also learned that no matter how early you started your race, stopping and taking a nap will ensure that your legs don't bend/walk properly for almost a week. Today, I came home, showered, and went shopping for most of the afternoon. My legs feel great.
I have some other things I learned today, too. Gatorade in a bottle will foam up when shaken repeatedly over 6 miles and become difficult to drink but the calories help. Gaga, Britney, Evanesence, Christina, and Pink can really help a girl keep a pace. Compression pants even though they are long do not make your legs feel overly hot. (I broke the no new clothes rule because my clothes are all for warm weather the 50 degree start called for desperate measures. Yes, I realize how lucky I am.) Starbucks at 3.5 is just cruel, I mean at that point I had already been up for nearly three hours and all my cash was at the start/finish line. The thought that you have friends and family cheering for you even if they are far away means everything. (My furthest cheerleader was in Ireland.) Seeing your baby girl's face light up as she sees you nearing the finish will ensure you have all the energy you need to cross that line.
