Run The Rails 10K Race Recap

Posted: June 4, 2011 at 5:32 pm

Hey hey hey!!! Yes, I’m in a seriously good mood. Everyone should feel so annoyingly peppy at times. I have had a great day so far. I kicked it off with some good progress in my Month 5 Body After Baby check-in (post coming early in the week) and then went on to smash my 10K race goal. Seriously. Smashed it. Ready for the details? I know I am!

I got myself all prepped and ready with a bright and early 5:30 am wake-up call. Downed my standard fuel of a whole wheat english muffin with a smear of peanut butter and half a larabar on the side. Then got all decked out in one of my favorite running t-shirts, the awesome New Balance sneakers we received at Fitbloggin, and a brand spankin’ new Bondi Band.

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I have been testing out the new RevLite 890 New Balance sneakers I received since getting home from Fitbloggin’ and really, really like them. I’m big on cushion. They feel so comfortable and truly are so light! The Bondi Band was an impromptu purchase earlier this week when I found a deal after a run with annoying face/hair sweat. It was a good impromptu purchase. Those things rock! Almost as much as the saying “will run for margaritas” rocks. You betcha I will!

I had some time to kill before the race so I checked out my race bag swag…

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…which included another race tee to add to my hopefully soon-to-be collection and some coupons. I’ll take the $10 Sports Authority card, but I have no need for the Krispy Kreme lemon donut coupon. You’ll see.

Finally, the time came to say goodbye to my cheering crew and head to the starting line.

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Sans Garmin. I ended up deciding to just run the race without it and trust my body to guide me. I would have the chance to check my pace at each mile marker, which was enough for me.

I got going and hit my stride relatively quickly. Mile 1 appeared in the blink of an eye. I heard 8:20 shouted to me as I passed by, even though I felt like I was conserving myself. Then, mile 2 passed just as fast, thanks to coming across my fans along the way. I could easily spot them thanks to a particular cutie and some awesome signs (which you’ll get a chance to win a creation of your own soon my friends)…

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Hello, family!!! I’m still feeling grand!

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I kept going strong and holding a challenging, yet not exhausting, pace. The miles continued to go on by. I hit the 4 mile marker and heard a time of 32:18 shouted at me. Ummm? That can’t be right. Can it? No way. So, I just kept trucking along, despite one particularly nasty hill around mile 4.5. This race made me very thankful for the hilly routes I have around my house. They certainly prepared me better for this course. Note to self: remember this when cursing the mile long hill of death on runs in the future.

After the hill, I could feel myself slowing the tiniest bit but still felt alright. Getting the chance to see my cheering crew again kept a smile on my face.

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Not too long after, I got to what I knew was the final stretch of road (thankfully flat!). I picked it up a little again. Then, I saw it. The finish line! I pushed forward. I thought happy thoughts. I made unattractive faces.

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And I achieved my main goal of finishing strong! My time??? A whopping 9:16 better than my goal time! I trusted my body and my body said “Boo yah! I’m stronger than you think, woman!”.

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Then, my body said “Feed Me!” and I happily obliged while stretching out my legs.

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They only had apples, oranges (blech!), and Krispy Kreme donuts for food. I devoured an apple and then deemed the Krispy Kreme unworthy. If I’m going to have a donut, I want a real donut. A Dutch Monkey donut. So – we made a pit stop.

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Peter & I picked up a Coffee Cream Bismark and a Lemon Meringue Pie donut to share. I paired my two halves with a chocolate protein shake (chocolate protein powder, chocolate almond milk, and iced coffee) to create the post-race meal of champions.

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Yes. Meal of champions, because I don’t want to be a champion if I can’t have donuts on occasion.

So, yea. I’m in a really good mood. It only gets better with date night tonight! 🙂

  • What is the last way your body told you “Boo-yah! I’m stronger than you think!”?

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83 Comments to “Run The Rails 10K Race Recap”
  1. Oh my goodness Tina! Congratulations! AWESOME time and AWESOME AWESOME race!!! 🙂 I’m so proud of you! Both 10k’s I’ve done have been with less than stellar conditions. My first was done on a deep sand trail and my second was done on snow in DC. I’m from Florida, I don’t run on/ through the snow!

    Congratulations again! 🙂

  2. AMAZING Tina!! You are SO SO awesome!! That time is sooo fast!! Plus you look fab- can’t wait for your next progress post! 😀

    And OBVIOUSLY donuts are the post-race meal of champions! 😉

  3. Great job Tina! You’re a speed demon. I love how happy you look. Enjoy the weekend 🙂

  4. Way to go TINA! That’s so great to see you blow your goal time out the window! I have my first 5k tomorrow and I’m so excited and nervous! I’d like to do it under 30 minutes, but I’m not sure what I’m capable of yet! I hope I get the strength that you have!
    Congrats!!

  5. Brooke says:

    congrats!! 🙂

    my last 5K was definitely a “shut up asthma girl – super boo is running this race” i was hoping for a new PR, and ended up getting one. by over 2 minutes. it also is my first (of many i hope) sub 30 5K

  6. Anna says:

    Congrats! It looked like you really enjoyed the race ^_^

  7. Ahhh!! Awesome job, Tina!! It is crazy when our own strength out does what we think it is capable of! You kicked your goal time in the butt! So happy for you.. congrats, girl!

  8. Sarah R says:

    You rocked that race! Congrats!

  9. RunEatRepeat says:

    Great job!!! I totally had a big ol’ cinnamon roll after my race today. That’s why I run 🙂

  10. That’s awesome, Tina! I love that we’re literally watching you become a better runner, week in and week out!

    Donuts are a perfect recovery food. Actually, that reminds me – about 3 years ago, my brother (big-time triathlete) and I tried to develop “fitness donuts” with the hopes of being able to eat them as post-workout fuel! The results weren’t great, but I think it’s worth giving them another shot…

  11. Congrats speedy! Awesome time!

  12. wowwww congratulations Tina! hahhaah McK looks soooo cute holding the sign!

  13. Congrats! You rocked that race! i’m hoping to be ready for my first 5K at the end of August, I’ll be happy if I can just run the whole thing.
    The last time my body let me know it was stronger than I thought was when I went back to the gym, I told the instructor I wanted to strengthen my abs because I thought they were weak. When he put me on the roman chair I did the sit ups like they were nothing, made my day 🙂

  14. Lauren says:

    Wow, you seriously did smash that time! The best part is you were smiling the whole way. Those are the happiest race photos I’ve ever seen.

  15. Awesome job Tina!! I’m lovin’ the the sign your little lady’s holding up — too cute!!

  16. Congratulations! That’s a really good time for a 10k- faster than my PR anyway! PS you look strong and beautiful 🙂

  17. You must be – and should be – elated. I had a similar experience with a recent 10k when I heard paces. We are ALL stronger than we think we are.

  18. Coco says:

    Dang, girl! And you look so GOOD too! Love the big cheesey smiles in all the pictures.

  19. Tina I love the complete joy and determination on your face in these pictures!! And from your words it’s so clear that you are so proud of yourself for what your body could do – and you should be proud!
    I actually had a similar 5k today – I’ve been injured and have also been having a very hot/cold relationship with running lately. Today was my first race since a very disappointing marathon 1.5 months ago, and I completely surprised myself with how I did, how great I felt, and how much fun I had. I hadn’t trained anywhere near the pace lately, but somehow pulled it off, and it was just the boost of confidence I needed.
    Congrats on your AWESOME 10k! You are becoming quite the runner!!

  20. marcia says:

    Woohoo! I must add, that I am not surprised though…just sayin’!
    What is the last way your body told you “Boo-yah! I’m stronger than you think!”? I would say a few years ago when I qualified for Boston Marathon…..I ran sans Garmin as well and relied on my friend to pace us..she got injured 11 miles in…yikes! I maintained pace ( 8:10) all by myself for the next 15 miles! I was beyond shocked and elated….. 🙂

  21. Loving that meal! Mmm donuts 😉

  22. Wow that’s a killer time! Congrats on kickin’ a$$!

  23. Alisha says:

    Congrats! I knew you would love running. Something about having a set goal and being able to quantify how you’re doing with the goal is so satisfying. Good for you. I still think I would like running but I’m full of excuses…and lazy!

    Congrats again!

  24. Michelle says:

    YAAAY! Awesome job!! You deserve to be annoyingly peppy 🙂 I LOVE that picture of you all smiley and running.

    Anytime I run I think BOO-YAH! It still amazes me that I was never an athlete — and now I am!

  25. AHHH YOU DID ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!! Seriously, girl you are so so speedy and you look so beautiful doing it. That is my kind of breakfast!!! CONGRATS on killing your goal time!

  26. Erica says:

    ahhhhhhh! Congrats! You totally rock 🙂 Great job on the time. And your daughter with that sign is SO freaking cute! Hope you are celebrating it up all weekend long. I say boo yah every time I teach while pregnant 🙂

  27. Mac says:

    Congrats on the great race! For my half marathon I did not use my Garmin or anything either, even though I trained with it most times. I think I like not having it with me, I did a lot better than I planned on during that rather just like you….maybe we’re onto something?!

  28. Congrats, congrats, congrats! And you look fantastic. And I need that Bondi Band!

  29. Lee says:

    Go speed demon!!

  30. Jolene says:

    congrats!! you killed it!! I love it! Gives me suuuch positive vibes for my half that I’ve offiicially decided to run with my sis in August!! you must be flying high!!

  31. You are a rockstar. That is such a great time! Nice job Tina!!!

  32. AWESOME RACE!!!!! you look fantastic (and so happy!) 🙂 I think the donuts were definitely well deserved!

  33. Stephany says:

    Ha, I had a feeling you would knock your goal time out of the water. You are strong and fast!

    And I am stealing your mantra for my run tomorrow. Take that, body!

  34. What amazing time you made considering it was your first 10k! I’m super-impressed.

    Thank you for showing a picture of the donuts you had. You and I should spearhead a league of fitness bloggers that love donuts! Also, I love the picture of your cheerleaders!

  35. Karolina says:

    Congrats on your great run!!

  36. Priyanka says:

    Awesome Tina. I am super impressed!

  37. Lisa says:

    You look great!!! And happy . (and those donuts look awesome!)

  38. Wow congratulations!! That is so amazing girly!! Love the signs, love the support crew, and LOVE the your super grinny picture!!

  39. That is an AWESOME time! And an awesome doughnut. 🙂 Congrats!

  40. congrats! 🙂 I love your smile and I love the sign your little one is holding. Too cute!

  41. Cori says:

    Great great job Tina!!! I have a question that would make a good FFF post- How much do you think your strength training helps your running? You are such a strong runner, how much is natural talent and how much is your strength??

  42. You are SERIOUSLY amazing! Congrats!

  43. YAAAY! congrats, Tina – awesomeness all around! I love your shirt too, I want that!

  44. Jeannie says:

    Way to go Tina! You really rocked the 10k! And yes, I always love to enjoy my favorite post- race goodies. 🙂

  45. Katheryn says:

    Congratulations on the fabulous race! Our bodies are fabulous and when we focus on them instead of what a watch says or people around us, we always will do amazing things.

  46. Awesome job Tina! I love the 10K distance, it’s my favorite. And your headband made me chuckle 🙂

  47. Oh my gosh CONGRATS!!! That is a truly FANTASTIC time- you should be so freaking proud of yourself!! That meal truly does look like a meal of champions, too 🙂

  48. Tracy says:

    Congratulations! That is wonderful and the after the race donuts… Yummy 🙂 Thanks for the inspiration! ~ Take Care

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