10K? SURE!

I had the opportunity to do a 10K recently. Normally the race is in November as a tribute to Veterans, but was moved up about a month due to conflicts with the group hosting the event.  The positive was that I was able to participate. The negative was that there was another race, the weather was damp, and not many people showed up--about half of what the normal turnout.  However, since the race was moved up a month, the wind was not as cold, and the temperature was not as cold. It did rain before the race, as we were all standing under an overpass near the starting line. 

For the race, two descendants of those the race is named for were on hand for the event. One raced and one sent us off.  Some Gave All. 


I was chatting with someone under the overpass before the race when a woman I've played running tag with passed by.  She and I met in July at a race, where she'd pass me, then I'd pass her, and so forth. We finished very near in time to each other.  We met again at a race the start of October and the same thing happened.  It's always fun --to me-- to encounter another enthusiastic runner who is out for her own race and can liven up a run.  It was good that we were there together, as we were running together in the 10K without trying.

The course was new this year owing to convoluted road construction on a highway through town.  We wouldn't be able to easily cross the road as in years past, so the organizers had us mostly run along the river. This was a nice path, paved, and a few short, steeper sections. The rain held off during the actual race. 

Up until the last two blocks, the other lady and I were running together even though we were running our own race.  I didn't have it in me in the last block though, and with my full out sprint she crossed the line ahead of me!   

Maybe it was the change in course, maybe it was the lack of brisk wind in the face on the course, maybe it was that I've had another year of healing. Regardless, I happily bested my time from last year by two minutes! 

It was also this race that made me say "get new shoes".  I've been wearing Brooks the last two years because I kept winning a free pair at expos :D  However, after horrible blisters from the June marathon I walked, and those spots being 'hot' and sensitive at this 10K, I decided to go back to my Asics GT.  Just putting them on my feet felt better and the sensitive area wasn't rubbing.  It's all about the shoes, folks, and getting what works for YOU.