Dexter Ann Arbor 10K

My alarm rang at 5:38am but I was already awake. I awoke maybe an hour earlier to the discomfort of sun burn on my back. That's right, fine time for sun burn! But ah well, I thought to myself, it was great hanging out by the pool with Anna, next time, I'll be more careful.

Just like Amby Burfoot's Principles of Running suggested, I laid out my race gear the night before and like a zombie, proceeded to put my clothing on. I yipped in pain, however, when I pulled on my sports bra and found that the tight fit was really irritating my sun burned back. Son of a #)%$&!! I decided not to worry about it--pain builds character or at least, pain will remind me to put sun block on my back the next time I decide to lay out by the pool before a race.

After my standard pre-race breakfast of one slice of whole wheat & peanut butter sandwich and 8 oz cup of coffee, I nudged my Dad, who was sleeping soundly on the couch and told him it was go time. It occurred to me then how long it has been since my Dad had to one of my 'sporting' events. He chauffeured me proudly to and from soccer practice for years and was one to never miss a game. Around friends and family, he bragged about how small and yet strong I was on the field. He'd ask them, did you know that midfielders and like the point guards in basketball?.

On the way, he asked for the hundredth time, so how far are you running?! 10K with K meaning kilometers?!

6.2 miles Dad, and that's right, K stands for kilometers. Don't you guys use the metric system in the Philippines?! (I know, I know, still the smart-ass daughter.)

Since the race is point-to-point, I hopped on a bus from downtown to the start and began to worry when it started to rain. I wasn't worried about the rain, though. I was worried that the rain might get to my iPod or something but I figured it was pretty well protected in my arm band.

When we arrived at the Middle School staging area, a good one hour before race time, everyone was inside chattering about the rain. I made my way to the gymnasium, coped a squat and started listening to music and sipped on my lemon flavored Propel. I was trying to focus and envision running like a gazelle but I'm a people watcher. So I watched and sucked in the nervous energy in the room. At one point, this woman, clad in pink, gold jewelry and fully done make-up walked past. Wow. Beautiful! You're gonna run like that? Ok, then!

See, when it comes to sports and anything else, really, I never go for beautiful--I tend to aspire for badass. But how badass can you feel when you know that you'll likely line up with the 10:00 min pace marker at the start?! *Shrug* I was just happy to be there and taking part in some organized physical activity. I was determined to have fun.

With the start twenty minutes out, I decided to jog on over in the rain and start warming up. It was a real bummer when we ended up starting twenty minutes late. There we were, in the rain, packed like sardines, waiting and hoping to finally get moving. You're messing with my warm-up, I wanted to scream!!

When the gun finally went off, it took a few minutes for the crowds to clear and then almost perfectly, the rain started to let up. The problem was, my leg felt like jelly at this point for some reason. Almost as if they could buckle at any minute. I repeated to myself to stay calm and stay focused. More importantly, have a good time!

It felt like I was getting passed the entire first half of the race. Not good for the morale but I reminded myself that I would likely be passing those fools once they realized they couldn't keep up that pace. (And as you can see from the picture above, I sprinted past a bunch of them on the last half mile of the finish.) On the turn, it was really exciting to see all the leaders whiz by...WOOO HOOOOO, I screamed! Pick it up, I thought to myself, you've totally got this--push yourself.

Some of you may know that I've been struggling with my left foot. I stayed off it though for the past two days and for the first time (of course I had to pick a race day), I ran with metatarsal pads to help ease the pounding that was making my poor foot suffer. By mile 4, however, not only could I not feel my three little toes, I had to go to the bathroom SO BADLY. So I did. In a 10K, but not after sharing a few choice words with myself. What an effing waste of time! I'm sure I would have been fine had the start not been delayed (see how expertly I can shift blame?).

The last 1.2 miles into the downtown finish was uphill. I noted to myself, amidst my excitement to finish, that I need to work on pacing and particularly, I need to focus on my tempo runs. Because either I'm not running at a steady pace or everyone else around me doesn't.

After that, I felt free to smile and wave at the photographers and cheering fans on the sidelines. You know they're hard core when they were willing to stand in the rain, which at that point had let up but had been on and off all morning.

I was a little annoyed with myself that I had held back as much as I did up the hill. I'm not sure why I did it because when I got to the top, I was hardly winded and was far enough from the finish line to see the clock. It was an all out sprint to the finish and I was thrilled to see that I had made it well under my very generous goal of anything-under-one-hour.

Clock Time: 58:38
Chip Time: 57:55
Avg Pace: 9:20

It was great to see my family at the finish, especially Anna, who asked, Mama, you went running?

Excited I said, Yes! Mama went running and actually did pretty well for being relatively out of shape.

Oh, ok. Hood job Mama. (She pronounces her Gs and Cs as Hs -- go figure, she's two.) Anna's thirsty.

Ok, we can get something to drink, baby. What are you thirsty for?

Ice cream. *big grin*

Enough said, right?

After my race, I took my post as a loud and obnoxious fan for those running the half marathon. Hopefully I wasn't too annoying but I know for myself, I appreciate the screams of support to pick it up towards the finish if for no other reason than not to look like a chump. My signature screams: You got it, you got it! Way to be! In my excitement and overzealous encouragement, I sprinted to the finish with my training buddy, JZA, when I spotted him on the hill. I figured, he deserves EXTRA Mia-encouragement *wink*