As if I wouldn’t know that there would be hills… in a 10k, in Columbia, where there are a LOT of hills. How long have I lived here? Sometimes I am SO unaware. I never really looked at the route and I think that is a good thing, because if I would have anticipated this course I don’t think I would’ve done as well as I did.

I finished the Jay Dix Challenge to Cure 10k in 1:07:25. I’m happy with that because of the hills! My best 10k time is 1:04. That I was only 3 minutes off that on this course is pretty damn fantabulous in my book. Carl did great, coming in at 1:00 on the dot. They changed the age ranges seemingly mid-race, so what we thought was a second place (medal) finish for him turned out to be 4th place. Oh well. Another day. Bev walked the 5k and we all had a grand time post-race with pancakes (I skipped those) and beer (I did not skip the beer).

My time ticket…1:07:25.

Bev and me, sporting our big shades, after the race.

Carl, enjoying a post-race beer.

We often talk about doing your best on that day. I really felt like I did that on Saturday. I started out with the goal of just running the whole route without taking any walk breaks. I think it takes a lot of mental stamina to change plans/goals mid-race, and in my case, after I ran UP HILL the entire first mile. I wanted to lay down in the middle of the road and I’d only run a MILE. Holy crap. I was going to have to make some adjustments. 🙂

So I allowed myself to walk at the top of the hill after the first mile. Then again after some more %$#(*&! hills at the end of mile 2. Then again at mile 4. Then again at mile 6. Somewhere in there I missed a turn and nearly went the wrong way – a first for me and a clear reminder that as a runner I am always responsible for knowing my surroundings and the course. Duh.

So much of running is mental, though I do credit the hill runs we’ve been doing for some time now. I don’t think I would’ve known how to power through if we hadn’t been doing that, hard as it is. Same goes for yoga. I am so much stronger than I think I am. I know this to be true. When you are in the middle of it, though, it is difficult to push through. It is difficult to adjust your plan, make some mid-race, or mid-pose changes. It’s such a blow to the ego. But, honestly, that is the best feeling…when you can allow yourself some grace. I’ve found that when I just relax, and as my grandfather told me again and again, just let it be, I will have a good run. I will find my strength.

My Grandpa Stiff and me. I find myself channeling his calm and strength more often that I can tell you. He was, by far, the coolest, and he had more of an influence on me than he realized. Or maybe he knew. He was the best.

Next up is the GoGirlRun, here in Columbia, on the 24th. I’m SO not looking at the course! 🙂