Columbus 10k

Before the Race - Me, Steve and Sarah

This Sunday I reached another one of my running goals!  I ran a 10k!! WOOHOO!!!  After I finished running a few 5k's I decided it was time to try and step up the mileage.  A friend and I were discussing the possibilities for running a 10k and we decided to go for it.  I used the One Hour Runner plan to prepare for the race, however, this race didn't really go as well as I had hoped.  I ran 6 miles the week before the race, so I thought I was good to go and I took a few days off before race day.  On Saturday I started to not feel so great in the evening, but I thought that just relaxing and going to bed early would help me on Sunday.  I woke up Sunday morning with a 100.3 temperature and feeling like death.  (If figures that I didn't get sick ALL school year, and then end up with some cold/fever thing the first week of summer!)  I managed to eat some breakfast and drink some water, but I didn't want to over do it before the race.  I was hoping that once I got moving I'd feel better.  I was really debating if I still wanted to run or not, but I thought about all of the time I spent training, the money that I already paid, and the friends I had running with me and decided to still go for it.  I told myself that if I start feeling really bad I'll just walk.  As the race time approached I was feeling ok, so I just went for it.  Steve, Sarah and Janene were there to run with me and Brooke, my Mom, and Dad came to cheer us on.  I HAD to run with all of these people here to support me. :)  At the start Steve and Sarah were quite a bit faster than me, but I found out that Janene (my new friend from camp) and I pretty much run at the same pace.  We were able to run together and we talked during most of the race.  It was nice having someone to talk to (and actually being able to talk) while running.  I would say the race went well until about Mile 4 when it started to get quite hilly.  Needless to say, we all finished and I only walked through the water stations.  That was my ultimate goal...run the whole time and just finish.  I finished with a time of 1:10:08 and was exhausted but happy to have reached this goal.  Not too long after finishing I started to feel rather crappy again and felt as if I may pass out.  Luckily with lots of water and an oatmeal bar from mom I felt better rather quickly. :)

**What I learned from this experience**
        -Running with a fever is not fun...not sure I'll do that again
        -Now that I'm running more miles I need to pay more attention to what I eat before/during the race
        -I still have a lot to learn about running

Now I'm debating signing up for the Columbus Better Health Half Marathon in October...
PROS  - It's a half marathon!  How awesome would it be to say that I ran that far!
            - As Meghann said, I'd be able to get one of those sweet 13.1 stickers for my Soul!
            - I'd reach another one of my goals
            - If I don't run one in October I'd have to probably wait until the Spring
            - I'd be able to lose some more weight... always a plus

CONS - I'd have to train and add a lot of miles during the hot summer months
           - It's the day after a wedding I'm supposed to go to
           - There's a lot going on this summer...I hope I can commit to the training

The jury is still out...I'll keep you all posted on what I decide.  I'm sure you all are waiting with bated breath.  HAHA

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