NB Hope 5k Recap

So this last Saturday I ran the NB Hope 5k. I was scheduled to do 10miles total that day so I figured I would get them all in somehow.

I was going to run before we left the house, but it was too stinking dark out. Boo! Anyways, so hubby and I set out. We had to go in 2 cars because I had to go to work right after the race... another boo! Anyways, we got there and I picked up my timing chip, we scoped out a place for hubby to sit and read or whatever he does while I run :-)

I got situated and I did a mile warm up. I was so glad that I did this. I really wanted to run a lot more but time goes by really fast when you're picking up a timing chip and walking around to find a good sitting area. So, by the time I was done with my warm up I headed to the start and I was only waiting 5-10mins.

Then we were off. I kept telling myself that I wasn't running a race and there was no need to get nervous pervous and I was just happening to be running with a lot of people. It actually helped. My stomach wasn't doing flips and I didn't feel like I was going out way too fast. The course was mostly flat and I loved it! They had volunteers out and at each mile mark they were yelling out times- heh, reminded me of high school cross country!

At the first mile I heard them yell out 7:30... what? Really??? I looked at my watch and sure enough I was right around a 7:30min pace!! I was so excited! Then, we turned and we were on a sand/gravel trail. It was a little challenging but I stayed to the side so I could have some grass traction. I felt like I was flying and I was still feeling good. Then I did what I used to to in XC back in the day- I just kept telling myself- "this whole thing is only 3 miles and you've gone half of that and it's only a little over a mile and that's nothing!" That kicked me into gear and by the time I got to the 2nd mile I was around 15 mins-ish. Then I just booked it. I was trying to see ahead to see how many women there were ahead of me. I couldn't tell, but I was pretty sure that as I passed one lady that I was at least the 3rd woman in the group.

I finished in 24:11!!! That is a whole new PR for me! I finished 21st overall out of like 360, 3rd woman finisher and 1st out of 50 in my age group! Hollah! I was so excited! A lady came over to me that I had been "running with" during mile 2 to congratulate me and she told me she was trying to keep up with me and that I had a really good race. How nice of her!! I am usually the one coming over to someone and saying "holy smokes! I tried to keep up but you just left me in your dust!"

My husband was super nice and he stayed after for awards and he got my medal for me! This is the first medal I have gotten that I "earned". Not just for being a finisher- although I believe anyone who runs a half or full marathon deserves the medal no matter what!! But this medal just means a lot to me. I know, korny!

I have to load pics up of the race later. I am still sort've unpacking and I can't find my camera cord. Go figure.

Now to figure out how the rest of this week is going to go. I have some speed work scheduled for this weekend, but next weekend I have a very long run and I might have to switch it around due to stuff that has come up... so we'll see how that goes.