Renovating Kaeti

This weekend I participated in Nancy’s Virtual Club Run, running my very first 10K (do I get extra points because it was my first?)! Here are my splits and some of the thoughts that accompanied them:

10:02 — Just warming up a bit. Still feeling creaky after the mile race on Thursday. Treating this 10K as my LSD run this week.*

9:42 — Finally hit a comfortable pace. Trying to avoid being lapped by that obnoxiously fast guy for the 18th time.

9:47 — Is it over yet? Wait, I have to run around the lake again? You’re kidding, right?

9:42 — Why do people keep staring at me? I wonder if my new running hat makes me look like a tool. Maybe it’s my cameltoe.

9:38 — It is surprising that I haven’t died yet.

9:09 — Did that guy just lap me again? At least I’m not wearing a do-rag and aviators. Almost done!

1:45 — 6.01, 6.02, 6.03. Why is this taking so long?! I command you to stop looking at Gary.** 6.12, 6.13, 6.14. Seriously, stop it. Oh, wait, is that 6.2? I’m DONE!!!

Total — 59:45

I’m so excited that I managed to squeak by in just under an hour. I was honestly expecting to run at a 11-minute-mile pace (especially after all the Mother’s-Day-justifies-everything junk food I ate). And over all, the distance didn’t feel so bad. The last mile was tough, but not excruciating.

Many thanks to Nancy for inspiring me to run my first 10K — and to all the other “virtual” runners who joined me. Now it’s back to work for me — deadlines are calling my name.

**Gary is the working name of my Garmin 305.

The TC 1 Mile race last night was finger-licking good time. There were thousands of people, and running downtown with the crowds cheering for us was fantastic. I’ll try to post photos this weekend, but for now here’s a screen shot of the results:

May I just say: Way to represent, Carrie Tollefson! Carrie was featured on our cover last June (and you may have seen her modeling for that abs story in a recent issue of RW), and it made me so happy to see her finish in the top five.

The best part of the race? There were free cowbells for the spectators. I snagged a couple on the way home, and let me just tell you, whoever thought that giving me a cowbell was a good idea is going to have to answer to my severely annoyed neighbors, friends and roommate. I’m sorry, what was that? I can’t hear you over my cowbell.

Sara and I got to the lake early, picked up our numbers and chips, and then went back to the car to stay warm.

Shortly before the race started, we warmed up a bit and stretched. Because we’re hardcore like that.

Note: This is not an example of an effective stretching program.

We started out of the gate strong and when we reached the hills we cursed our fate and gave up powered through with the strength of 10 American Gladiators.

We finished with a flourish, and then immediately broke down into tears of pain and nausea joy and celebration. It was a moment worthy of a Lifetime made-for-TV movie.

After cleaning ourselves up, we headed for the post-race food table. I think Pearson’s Salted Nut Roll sponsors every race in this city. But really, what’s not to love about post-race ‘nanners and nut rolls?

Big congratulations to Sara on finishing her first 5K! Also, many thanks to Stacey for taking photos and to everyone who came out to cheer us on. And thanks to the Minnesota Twins for giving me free baseball tickets.

On Saturday morning, I got up early after a fitful night of sleep so I would have time to eat and relax a bit before going over to the race. Even in the 6 o’clock hour I was ready to put my game face on.

When we got to the race, they were running a little behind schedule (maybe the race officials were celebrating St. Patty’s early), so we stood around freezing our bums off for 45 minutes before we started. Finally, we lined up for the start and I positioned myself somewhere near the front-middle of the pack.

The course was so icy that the entire mass of runners slid down the first hill we encountered. The route was incredibly slick, so my race-day mantra ended up being “don’t fall, don’t fall, there’s less ice over there, don’t fall.” But the condition did have its advantages. For example, it was kind of hilarious to watch the elitist-elite types pass me and then start skidding around on the ice. That’s what you get for running fast.

But all kidding aside, I was very impressed by both the 10-mile group and 5Kers. Especially the 10-mile runners who finished before I finished the 5K — way to make me look bad, guys. Thanks.¹

(Click to enlarge.)

So after running around the lake on a sheet of ice trying to pass as a road, I finally made it up the hill to the finish line.

Notice the stylish green gloves. I was getting into the spirit of things. So much so that my holiday cheer propelled me across the finish line with a 26:?? time! They haven’t posted the official times, but my watch put me at 26:38. We weren’t chip timed, so this is my best guess (I’ll have to wait and see if they post the 5K results online). I’m just so excited to have finished my first race — the 26 on my watch is just icing on the cake. And speaking of food . . .

Mmm . . . the post-race breakfast was definitely a highlight. And that was the day in a nutshell. Thank you everyone for your support and encouragement — I couldn’t have done it without y’all!