It is nice to run a race that is only 10 minutes from your house.

This is my 6th time running this race. Last year, my back was bothering me so I didn’t run it and in 2012, I had a broken ankle. Otherwise, I try to run it every year. If you notice by my clothes, the weather has gotten colder every year.

It is a flat course so my times have been fairly decent:

2016 – 47:14
2015 – 45:26 (PR)
2014 – 48:14
2013 – 47:39
2011 –  47:08

Now only if spring would arrive. We’ve had a few warmish days but not today!! This was what they predicted:

Cold temps, rain, sleet and wind!!!

But most importantly was that my cat died suddenly the day before. I had gotten very little sleep since he had taken ill Thursday night and really did not feel like running!!!

Staying home and being sad and depressed seemed like a worse option than running a race.

So I told my hubby that I was runing the race and I would run it for Slater, my cat who just died.

It’s always hard at this time of year to decide what to wear.  Too cold for spring clothes but I am tired of jackets and tights. I opted for a windbeaker over a long sleeved shirt, a skirt attached to capris, compression socks, a cap & gloves and hoped that it would be enough.

The forecasted rain and sleet had not arrived by the time I had to leave for the race.  Maybe I would get lucky and it would hold off until the afternoon.

I got there early and got a spot in the parking lot. I knew a few people doing this race so I went inside the school to look for them.

I forgot to pick up my bib and shirt the day before so I picked them up and then looked for my firends.

I bumped into Judy and Chris and we chatted for a bit.

I also chatted with several other runners that I knew. Because of the Boston Marathon and the weather forecast, there weren’t as many runners as usual.

It was too cold outside so we waited until the last minute.

My hope for the race was to have a decent finish time. That would be under 50 minutes. I had a PR three years ago and I doubted that I could beat that especially without doing any speed work  Besides, I wanted to stay healthy for my next half marathon on May 19!!

I lined up with some faster runners including Carolyn who is in my age group and another younger runner whom I followed at my last 5 miler, the Shamrock Shuffle.

Of course waiting for the race to begin, I was cold but I was fine as soon as I started running. My hands were cold for awhile but even they warmed up.

I tried to start out fast but not too fast.  Though I never know what this is. And I probably did since my legs seemed to have zero energy today. I was so SAD! I felt like crying but I told myself to run the race for Slater! And that kept me going.

I tired with each mile but tried my best to keep it up. The younger faster runner had on a yellow jacket again this race and it was my beacon. I tried to keep her in my sight although I know I would never catch up to her.

There was someone calling out times at every mile so I knew that I was not running well.

By the water stop at mile 2.5 or so, I was tempted to walk but again as I did in my previous two races, I decided to push it and NOT walk at all.

I was really draggin during mile 4 but by mile 5, I looked at my Garmin and realized that just maybe I could PR.  I thought “Wouldn’t it be cool to PR for my cat?”

My eyes were teary and my nose was running (I didn’t know until after the race, that my nose was bleeding over my white gloves!!)

I finally saw the finish line and crossed at 45:XX (Officially 45:09). Defintely faster than last year and maybe a PR, I thought!

I waited until Judy and Chris finished and then went inside to get some food. I had some soup, bread, birthday cake and hot chocolate.  Judy and Chris got massages.

I came in 3rd in my age group.  I was surprised since I never place in this race.  And the prize was a champagne glass!

Splits: (according to my Garmin)

mile 1- 8:44
mile 2- 8:56
mile 3- 8:56
mile 4- 9:18
mile 5- 8:57
mile .04 – 6:50

45:09

Yes, a PR!  By 17 seconds!! I’ll take it. As one ages, these PRs are hard to come by.

Since this course is flat and near where I live, it is still one of my favorite races and I will run it again next year. I am so happy to have gotten a PR and I’m sure that Slater had given me the energy to do so.

Though after the race, it felt colder and windier, I needed to run 4 more miles…ugh!!

I drove my car and parked near the rail trail. Unfortunately, it was getting late and I needed to get home so 3 miles was all I could get done!

That makes 8 miles for the day…

5 weeks until my  next half marathon.

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