June 23, 2008

Clanton 10K Race Report

I was headed to Birmingham anyway this weekend, so decided to leave early and run the Cornerstone Peach 10K. It was a hot & humid day added to a hilly course. I took first place female early on and held it by a long shot for the entire race. There were no mile markers & my Garmin was in and out of signal b/c of all the trees. Because of all these variables, I didn't have much confidence for a PR. As I was nearing the finish line, my Garmin skipped from 5.67 to 5.97 and I knew I had a chance. I sprinted in at 39:42, a 17 second PR. I was pleased to break 40 on such a hot & humid day, but I also know that I need to get lower than that to break 3 hours in the marathon. The good news is that I won $100 and a basket of the best peaches in the world. I ran yesterday with my old running club and thoroughly enjoyed myself. I was reminded how much I miss running in Birmingham. I miss the social aspect of the sport I love. I saw a few friends at the race Saturday (see pic above) and we decided to meet for an easy 13. I was scheduled for 18, so I arrived early to get in my 5. I ran with the group that I used to struggle to keep up with, and low-and-behold, I ran with ease. In fact, I even pushed the pace a bit. (Not too fast, we only averaged 7:39.) After a GREAT run, we went to breakfast at a new diner. Coffee, veggie omelet, and great conversation made for a perfect end to a good running weekend.

This morning three crazy things happened. I was sore as "all-get-out" and had an easy 6 miler. I was one of the huge mansions, listening to my MP3, minding my own business, when a ARMADILLO ran straight towards me hissing and carrying on. I screamed bloody murder and darted into the street. It scurried back into the yard and left me alone. After I got my heart rate under control, I continued my run past the Board of Education. AGAIN something darted from the bushes. This time a baby possum- gross! WTH? Do I smell like road kill? Why are nasty animals coming after me? I abandoned the sidewalk and when I was almost to my car, I saw something spectacular- a shooting star! It was clear, small, and beautiful. I didn't make a wish. I have tried wishing before, but they never come true. The thing I did feel was a promise. That star showed me how beautiful life can be, once you get past the armadillos and possums!

5 comments:

  1. Congrats on your PR. Impressive time on a hot course amidst Garmin irregularities. I miss good peaches, having lived on an orchard for a short time, and plucking them off the trees when they were just right.

    Cheers, ESG

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous6/24/2008

    Congrats on the PR! I kinda love those small town races =]

    I'll have to pick your brain about how the 18/70 is going.. I'm thinking I'm about to get started!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Congrats on your PR! Funny about the random animals. Can't say that I ever saw an armadillo while running here in Maryland!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Nice PR!

    And I totally agree that coffee and a veggie omelette is the best way to end a run.

    And an Armadillo? WTF!

    ReplyDelete
  5. You are crackin' me up. I can hear your scream now! At least you were calmed by a shooting star, and yes, take that as a good sign. :) GREAT job on the 10K. You are so freaking fast, Rebecca. I know you'll kill that sub-3 this fall. You'll absolutely kill it! Keep up that great running.

    ReplyDelete