Half Marathon Countdown

I’m one month away from my half marathon and have officially reached the “stressed” portion of my training schedule.  Allergies, asthma, and the crud have kept me from progressing as I would like, and I’m not totally out of the woods yet.  I’m trying to slow down and focus on getting healthy, but the clock is ticking.

I’m running 11 this weekend, or at least attempting.  I haven’t done a long since the 15K almost 3 weeks ago, so I’m a bit nervous as to how this might go.  I keep trying to remind myself that some half plans only call for a 10 the week before the race, to no avail.  I want big things for this race and unfortunately, I don’t have the time left to train to achieve those big things.

October is a busy month.  Not only is it the month of my sister, brother-in-law, and husband’s birth (listed both in order that I met them as well as birth date as it falls on the calendar), I also have several races lined up.

October 6^th  – Color Me Rad 5K

This is a “fun run” Kelly & I signed up for weeks ago.  The idea was to run this race, then follow it with 8 miles on the green way.  Following the training plan to a “T” made this an extra week any way.  Now I’m wondering if I should do a true long run Sunday instead.  I’m waiting to see how tomorrow goes before making this call.

October 13^th – Ohio vs. Akron

Jay’s Alma mater the Ohio University Bobcats have had an excellent football season this year.  For his birthday, his parents bought tickets to this ball game.  Kelly & I will be taking vacation time off work Friday morning so we can get in 13 miles before I head out of town.

October 20^th – On Cosby Moonshine Run

Each year, my family participates in this race together.  I’m hoping this will be the year my Papaw wins the 80+ age division.  Kelly has a different race that same morning.  We’ve discussed bumping the run to the 21^st, but that does put us doing 13 miles race week.  (Sunday before a Saturday race)  Is that pushing ourselves too much into our “taper” week?

October 21^st – 26^th – In-laws

The life of real estate agents makes prior planning difficult, so I’m not sure exactly when to expect them.  Normally I get a heads up a day or 2 in advance, but I do know they are coming into town for Jay’s birthday.

October 24^th – Jay’s 33^rd

Dang we’re getting old!

October 27^th – Haunted Half Marathon

Race day! 

October 31^st – KTC Socialites Halloween costume run.

 

I’m starting to wonder if October should be my “for fun” month, and drop any pressure I’ve put on myself to shave some serious time off last year’s race PR.  How do you cope with training when life is pulling you in a million different directions?

Race Report - Marine Corp Mud Run 5K

Due to the growing popularity of the Marine Corp Mud Run, the race has been split into 30 minute waves.  This helps to alleviate congestion at each of the obstacles.  Since the race was about an hour drive, we signed up for the 9:30 wave. 

Kelly always likes to arrive ridiculously early, so I figured this way we wouldn’t have to get up at an ungodly hour.  Little did I know I would both come to regret this decision and learn why she always pads her arrival times.

My GPS is a few years old, and Kelly has a smart phone, so she decided to program the address into her phone.  It lead on an entirely different route, but since my GPS hasn’t been updated ever recently, I decided to trust her directions. 

Unfortunately, Kelly is a horrid navigator and entered the address in wrong.  We were about 15 minutes off schedule before we realized the error.  Add that to the long line parking, the long line at registration (and poor signage causing us to stand in the wrong line for a while, we knew we wouldn’t make the starting line by 9:30.  Once we finally made it to front of our proper lines (okay so maybe I convinced a guy in the front of the A-F line to pretend to me be) the registration desk suggesting we ask previous wave races for safety pins because they were out.

Seriously.

THANKFULLY this is a chip timed race, and when we finally made it to the start line, race officials helped us pin our bibs and helped us get on our way.  I let Kelly set the pace, and she really pushed me to my limits.  We came upon the 5(?) foot high wall fairly quickly, and she hopped over it a bit easier than I did. 

 

By the next obstacle, we’d caught up with the slower people from our group.  You know the ones.  The girls who got talked into doing the mud run but never stopped to consider it’d mean getting down and crawling through the mud under some rope.   A few went in the obstacle before us, but when a couple decided to think about it before heading under Kelly & I had no problem going around.  We passed the others on the run to the next obstacle.

Most of the obstacles were the same from previous years, however the mud slides into pits were a bit less friendly than in years past.  This year a wooden beam was at the bottom to meet your buttocks before sending you flying into the mud.  Also the over/under pit included a completely submerged “under” obstacle.   Many debated this one, so I hopped around, held my breath, closed my eyes and just went for it.  While the new sand pit wasn’t all that difficult, the feel of the sand sticking to the wet mud was extra icky.

We passed more people running, Kelly cartwheeled over the dry log jump, we waded through the water and took the obstacles as they came.  Nothing eventful and I’m glad to say that the fields didn’t really upset my allergies as much as I’d feared.  Most of the race felt sluggish, but the stats are my best ever so I can’t really complain.

Gun Time: 54:13

Chip Time: 39:22

Overall: 410/1066

Age group: 24/99

Sicky Poo

I'm sick.  Again.  This is really starting to get old.  Of course looking back over my week, maybe I'm not being as kind to myself as I should have been.

Wednesday - Hard training run outside on the Knoxville Green way, despite tickle cough.
Thursday - Cough moved into my chest - took day off from exercise, went to work
Friday - Took day off from exercise AND work
Saturday - REST
Sunday - Skipped church, but went for a walk
Monday - Worked, did elliptical at lunch
Tuesday - Went to the allergist who diagnosed my allergies as out of control, gave me steroid meds (nose spray & inhaler) upped my allergy pill dosage, and gave me a breathing treatment.
Wednesday - Ran 4 miles worth of intervals at lunch on the treadmill, 6 miles outside after work (yeah, I'm that dumb)
Thursday/Friday - Worked, but took day off from exercise
Saturday - Mud run (outside.  in a field.  full of stuff I'm allergic to)
Sunday - REST (if you count playing with an 8 year old and a 4 year old as rest)
Monday - 5 mile run.  Outside.  In the park.  Through some grass.  That's I'm allergic to)
Tuesday - Day off exercise AND work.  Worried about my 11 miler this weekend.


My half marathon is in 4 weeks.  Any suggestions how I can easy back into things without pissing my body off?? 

{Guest Blogger} - Fitness Friday

Several of the friends I've made through the Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans have chosen to fundRace for the Luekemia Lymphoma Society.  While I've supported each of them with a financial donation, this time around I'm a tad more involved.  I'm turning my blog over to Allyson today, and I'll let her explain.

I struggled and struggled with how to start this post.  I have never been a guest blogger before, so I decided where better to start than at the beginning.

When I was a kid I joined track because I wanted my parents to notice me.  I ran 3 miles straight during one of my practices and I remember that exhilarating feeling of, "Holy crap! I did that."  

Years went by, 6 pregnancies and 6 births went by and I was at my heaviest weight ever, I was depressed, and I needed to get out of my house. That is how running began for me.  People will say, "ugh I hate running."  The thing is I don't love running.  I am generally a lazy person at heart that is why I chose running.  If I was going to exercise I needed the most bang for my buck.  I wanted to burn the most calories in the shortest amount of time.  That meant running.  

Once I began running I decided to do some races and started meeting some online friends.  I have built up a great group of friends over the years and this is how Brooke and I came across each other. This year I decided to challenge myself and start checking things off of the bucket list.  I wanted to just be able to say I had accomplished some things.  First was to complete my first tri, then I complete my first half marathon, my most recent adventure was completing Tough Mudder.  The last big bucket list item on my list for the year was to finish a full marathon.  

Everyone thinks I am crazy.  If you look at me I am no fitness buff.  I am overweight.  I am in contention for world's slowest runner.  All that aside though, if I want something I will finish it, no matter what that takes.  So what I like in physical ability I make up for in heart.  

I knew I would need some support to get through this marathon so I decided to join the group Team In Training.  You might have seen them running around in purple shirts if you have ever done some of the longer races.  The Team in Training group runs for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  I did my research and found that they have a great score on Charity Navigator, and that the money collected really does go to research and not just to pad the pockets of CEO's.  So I jumped in with both feet.  

It was less than a week later that Brooke asked for prayers for a family member.  Just a few days later she revealed to us that her young 19 year old cousin had been diagnosed with Lymphoma.  My heart sank for her and for her family.  Immediately I thought, "Hey, I should run my race for Zach."  I mentioned it to Brooke and she thought it sounded great!  

I have often thought back to being 19, you've just discovered that adult freedom and are living some of the best times of your life.  Then I thought about how much different that would be if you were undergoing treatment and spending all of this time kicking cancer's butt instead of being able to be a carefree teenager.    

So here I am running this crazy race just to say I can.  The race is the easy part though, because I am able to do it.  I have the ability to get up in the morning and put on running shoes and just start running.  Not everyone gets this privilege.  On top of that I get to raise money for a wonderful cause and I know that every dollar has to potential to make someone else's life easier, by creating more effective treatments, less invasive treatments, or maybe someday even a cure.  

How awesome is it to be able to say that you did that?  You right there sitting in your chair can personally affect the life of someone else for the better just by clicking a button and donating $1, $2, $10, or more.  THAT IS AWESOME!  YOU ARE AWESOME!  

 I am just the messenger bringing this to the forefront of your minds.  You are the ones that hold the power.  

With joining the Team in Training group I pledged to raise $1100.  I am 53% of the way there.  Every little bit helps.  I would love if you would "run" with Zach and I too by making a donation to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  http://pages.teamintraining.org/in/CHNIndi12/alyon

Thanks so much Allyson!  I'm sure Zach appreciates your training and fundraising efforts.

Thankful Thursday - My Papaw

 

Today is a very special day for my family.  Our patriarch - my Papaw - turns 80 today!  I'm so very blessed to have him in my life. 

 

 

 

Last fall, Papaw walked the On Cosby Moonshine Run.  He took 2nd place in the 70-79 age group (out of 2).  This is definitely a case of just finishing being worth of an award, given that plenty of people in his age bracket couldn't walk 3.2 miles at all.  (The #1 finisher was at the bottom end of the age range.)

 

 

He's coming back again next month (Lord willin and the creek don't rise) to challenge last year's 80+ winner! 

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAPAW!  I love you!

{almost} Worldless Wednesday - Home

 

We finally got it on the market this week.  I'm gonna miss it!

Missional Minded Monday - I Got Nothin'

I've been sick since the end of last week.  Makes for one very selfish chicka.  Not only have I earned a "that doesn't sound very Jesus like" comment from Jay, but I haven't even bothered to look around me for evidence of others sharing His love.

 

 

 

How have you been a friend this past week?

Fitness Friday - 10 Running Questions

Yesterday Thea  linked up with Another Mother Runner's 10 running questions.  Today Bari did the same.  Despite the obvious fact I'm not a mother, I decide to join along.  Most of these questions are just runner specific, and I definitely fit that description!

1. Best run ever: The Law Enforcement Memorial 5K this past May.  Without mile markers or a Garmin, I just pushed myself as hard as I could on this mostly flat course.  The result was a 26:56 - a PR by over 2 minutes.  Since then I've had the confidence to believe I can be a fast runner if I work at it.

2. Three words that describe my running: Asthma Girl Wins!
Maybe not (okay definitely not) my age group or even a race, but I'm slowing winning the battle against myself.  Excluding a few HOT 5Ks this summer, I'm running PRs practically every run.  I'm learning how to redefine myself by what I can do, rather than the limitations I have.

3. My go-to running outfit is: my mizunos, garmin, body glide and whatever is clean! i don't spend a lot of money on gear, but I'm starting to love my new balance mid-length shorts, and a running skirt (can't remember the brand).

4. Quirky habit while running: Dancing to songs.  This does not a PR make, however a fool it does.  Especially to Viva Las Vegas (finger guns from Just Dance, anyone?) or Sexy and I Know It (wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, wiggle YEAH!)

5. Morning, midday, evening: I run best in the morning, however weekdays I have to get up at 6:30 to get in my morning Bible reading, shower + get ready for work.  I need sleep or I'm cranky.  Typically I'm a lunch time trainer.  By the evening my energy is spent, but I enjoy the local track club social runs, so every other Wednesday I do it any way.

6. I won't run outside when its: I wish I could say thundering, but I've been known to push it.  (Read: my husband and neighbors stand outside under their porches and yell for me to get my booty back inside.)  Snow - we don't get a lot around here, so its not worth the investment on gear for the 1-2 (yearly) we might get.

7. Worst injury - and how I got over it: I've never had a true running injury, but I was sidelined from training due to severe anemia.  My doctors never discovered what caused it - only ruled out scary things that didn't (internal bleeding lead poisoning).  The filled me up via IV iron infusions & B12 shots. Over 2 years later and I've never had any further problems.

8. I felt like the most bad ass mother runner when:  I push myself hard during a run and meet my goals.  Also when I complete a new distance.  Since I've covered the 26.2 distance, now those have to come with new triathlon distances.  I'm not quite ready to commit to an ultra yet!

9. My next race is: Marine Corp Mud Run 5K next weekend.  My goal is to beat my personal worst 5K time for a straight up run.  I'll have to really push myself to run fast between obstacles, but I think its doable.

10. Potential running goal for 2013: Sub 2 hour half marathon.  This is going to take some work, but I've committed myself to reaching this goal before I start training for another full marathon.

Care to join us?  Let me know if you link up - I'd love to read your answers!

Happy Friday everyone!!

Daily Thanks - Under the Weather

Friday - Pot Luck

 

A coworker turned 50, so we had some great yummies to graze on all day.

 

Saturday - Tail gating!!

 

While I'm not the biggest UT football fan around, it was fun to hang out before the game with the run crew.  Several of them decided not to go to the game due to the bad weather, so we headed inside to watch the game, have a few drinks and dinner.

 

Sunday - Wears Valley 15

 

I had an excellent race.  Thankful for the cool weather, KTC Socialites team support (and discount!), and earning volunteer coupons for working registration!

 

Monday - Coffee & creamer

 

'nuff said.

 

Tuesday - Patriot Day

 

While I didn't do anything particular to remember the events of 9/11, I am thankful for those who serve this country.

 

Wednesday - Running

I had a tickle/cough all day so I was very pleased to successfully complete a difficult tempo run this evening.

 

Thursday - My Mama

 

Today is her birthday!  I'm so blessed to have such an incredible woman in my life!

Mindful September

We're almost half way through the month, so I feel like a slacker for only now finding the Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans' Mindful September chart.  The list is broken up into days, each with a different way to nourish your mind/spirit/emotions. 

I love the ideas, which are a good mix of taking time for myself along with thinking about how to help others.  September 6th was "volunteer" - I find that volunteer work often helps me as much as I help others.  Nothing like a health dose of perspective about the abundance most of us live in (be it food, clothing, or shelter) as taking a few hours one evening to serve the homeless.

"Take a bubble bath" was a day that I missed.  I love taking a soak in my claw foot tub, but I rarely take the time to actually do it.  Perhaps I'll start today and then follow this list through the 12th of October? I'm sure Jay can tell you - I'm a much nicer person to him and anyone around me when I'm not wound up and stressed.  Taking care of me helps him too.

Read a book, sleep in, call an old friend - all free things (assuming you have a library card and already have access to a phone) we can do and be better for it.  Hopefully I'll get to blog about how a few of the daily "tasks" changed me, but no promises mkay?

Have you been following along for Mindful September?  How have you made some one's day a bit brighter this past week?

Wears Valley 15k - Race Report

The Wears Valley 15K (in Townsend) race was only the 2^nd race I had ran with the KTC Socialites run group.  While we haven’t been training for this particular race, my friend Kelly & I have been half marathon training and felt prepared for this race coming off a 9 mile long run last week.

We arrived dark and early Sunday morning to help with registration before the race.  Thankfully we had plenty of help, and were cut loose early enough to get our gear together, visit the porta-potty, and get a bit of a warm-up in.  The temperature was perfect for racing, but a bit on the cold side for standing around passing out race bibs.

I lined up with the KTC Socialites for the start and Kelly headed back a bit to meet up with Janice (another lady she meets up with for runs.)  With the gunshot, we were off.  Our first mile took us out on the main road, and then by an RV park.  Several people stood outside their motor homes cheering us on, however the bacon I smelled frying taunted me.

Mile 1 – 9:59

The course was described as “rolling” with a hill during the 2^nd mile.  Around here most every course is some form of rolling, so it can be difficult to know exactly what is meant.  My race plan had me saving up umph for later just in case the rolls were difficult hills.  The plan was a 10 m/m pace for the first 1/3^rd, and I hit it pretty darn close the first mile out.

Midway through the 2^nd miles, I hit the hill and slowed my pace a bit.  I worried a bit this wasn’t the big hill, but thankfully it was.  It was certainly not the biggest hill I’ve ever ran, but it did slow me down a bit and my paced suffered for it.  I much preferred this, however, to spending too much energy on this hill and not having it for later.

Mile 2 – 10:33

Instead of the standard out and back, the course was more of a lollipop shape.   We would not be repeating miles 1 & 2, but the 3^rd mile brought a water stop and a turn onto the out and back section of the road.   During this section I appreciated the downhill, but noticed the 7 mile marker and made note that I’d have a decent hill to face on the way back.

Mile 3 – 9:48

I wanted to pick up my pace a bit for the 2^nd 3.1 of the race, but tried to rely more on feeling than time.  My early goal had been to keep Kim’s head visible in front of me, and for the most part I could.  With all the turns, her blue hat would disappear but then in the straights I’d see it again.

This was the portion I could hear Kelly & Janice talking behind me.  I was proud that they were going strong and hoped they hadn’t gone out too fast.  Last week was Kelly’s longest ever run, so this 9.3 would trump that and take the longest slot. 

Mile 4 – 10:05

Midway through mile 3, I started to see the leaders of the race, followed by the rest of the pack turning around.  Part of the way through mile 4, I hit the turn myself.  Just before, I took a GU and some water.  I had been sipping from my water bottle every couple miles, and was thankful to not have to stop at the water stations along the way. 

The race takes place in a very rural area, and I enjoyed the scenery for the most part.  Before the turn around, I saw some horses and a donkey.  After the turn around, we heard some coyotes yapping up on top of the hill.  I hoped that the donkey would take care of things for us (thankfully I never actually saw them)

Mile 5 – 9:56

I was towards the back of the pack, but I enjoyed seeing and cheering on those who were behind me once I reached the turn around.   I had stuffed my empty GU into my sports bra, but it had fallen out without me noticing.  When I did notice, I felt bad about littering, but within a few seconds I noticed empty Natty Ice cans in the barbed wire fence row and then I didn’t feel so badly.

Mile 6 – 9:38

I was 2/3rds of the way through the race, and I wanted to really push hard toward the finish.  Despite the big hill that ended right at the 7 mile marker, I pushed myself and tried not to let it slow me down.  I was very pleased to see my average pace for the mile.

Mile 7 – 9:55

The rest of the race was downhill (as a good portion of this mile was) or flat, so I felt good about really picking up the pace and pushing myself down the hill.  The push paid off, and resulted in the fastest mile (to that point) of the race.

Mile 8 – 9:23

Just past the previous marker, we hit the main road (sidewalk) for a stretch of less than a tenth of a mile, then we cut back left onto the road of the start/finish.  On this back stretch, I really picked it up.  I passed 3-4 people (one dude) along the way.

Mile 9 – 8:53

After the 9 mile marker, I really pushed.  I could see the clock in site.  For this section, I was wheezing pretty badly but kept telling myself I could breath when I was done (thanks Kelly).   I wanted to leave everything out there.

0.35 – 2:58:55 (8:37 pace)

I ended up finishing about 13 seconds behind Kim – a result I was very pleased with!  Kim’s fast yo!! (Apparently so am I!)  Kelly finished about 30 seconds behind me.  I am super proud of how well she raced!

I have no regrets for this race.  Knowing what I know now, I could have pushed a bit harder at the beginning.   I will next year, but this year it was just smart racing going out conservatively not knowing what the course would hold. 

Goal time: 1:30/40
Gun time: 1:31:13

Next year’s tentative goal is sub 90 minutes, but if I make this a race I truly train for maybe I can get fast enough to place in my age group next time!

Spending: The Fun Result of Saving

Instead of boring you with another financial Friday post, I thought I would share a fun post about money.  The best part of saving?  Having the $$$ for a shopping spree!! 

Most of the items I purchased yesterday were with a Target gift card my in-laws got me for my birthday, but I did pick up a few things at Old Navy as well as Ross {Dress for Less}

The dollar bin "pink circle" items were half price so I bought the black organizer (hopefully keeping the island from getting junky every week, some gift bags, note cards, a book for the Princess, and Avengers erasers for the Little Man.  I also snagged a frame at Ross for $5 - Jay and I are going to put the free 8 X 10 we got for having our picture made for the church directory in it and give it to his parents. 

Now to the fun stuff - the random things I purchased for myself!!  The bag was the only thing not on sale but if you can't spend $15 of birthday money on a non-sale item, when can you?  The hat was on sale for $4.50, the umbrella is much needed and Calvin Klein for only $10, $6.99 Nine West sunglasses and a $9 sports bra from Old Navy.

I also bought a tiny little birthday gift for Jay and one for my sister.  Both of which will remain a secret for at least another month.  (They read my blog on occasion.)

What was the last fun item you purchase?  For yourself?  For someone else?

Daily Thanks - Digging Deep

I've been stressed out this week, so I needed the chance to dig deep and remind myself of all I have to be thankful for in my life.

 

Friday - Daily Bread

 

I've been stressed about money recently, especially given how we've not done a great job at staying within budget.  Learning to trust in God's provision is a hard one for me and I am thankful for my daily, weekly, and monthly bread.

 

Saturday - 9 easy miles

 

My friend Kelly & I are training for the Haunted Half Marathon next month and Saturday morning was our long run.  I love that I ran 9 miles without issue and no muscle soreness the next day.  I've worked long and hard to make running that far "easy."

 

Sunday - Cades Cove

 

Jay, my parents, and I headed to Cades Cove and got caught into a thunderstorm.  The storm caused a tree to fall on a car creating the damage in the picture below.  (Not our car.  None of our vehicles are that nice.)  We were all thankful no one was hurt.  Afterward we spotted a bear in a tree!  I'd hoped to devote a whole blog to it, but you know how those things go.

 

 

 

Monday - Hal Canfield Memorial Mile

 

Great race and I'm pleased with my 2nd place medal!  I have never raced this distance before, so I was unsure about pacing.  This is definitely one I hope to do every year.

 

Tuesday - Shopaholic & Sister

 

I'm a book nerd, so it didn't bother me a bit to go to bed early and ready Tuesday night when Jay decided to watch the Convention on TV.  The love of reading is a gift I am very much thankful for.

 

Wednesday - KTC Socialites

 

This is a thankful point I'm sure I will overuse, but I very much enjoy having a great group of people to share runners' 2 favorite  hobbies - running & talking about running.  (I'm sure Jay is thankful for them as well :P)

 

Thursday - Time off

 

I've very thankful my job provides me with paid leave - both sick and vacation.  Its nice to know my paycheck won't take a hit if I have to go to the doctor or want to leave work early.

Hal Canfield Memorial Mile - Race Report

The idea of a 1 mile race has always intrigued me.  Too long to be a true sprint, to short to be a real race.  Or so I thought before heading into the Hal Canfield Memorial Mile.  I had never previously done a mile race.  If I'm being honest I was only attracted to it this year because of the group discounted price of the Socialites group I've been running with.

Between signing up only 2 weeks before the race, summer triathlon training, and the transition to half marathon training, I hadn't done anything to train specifically for this race.  I knew I could do the distance (always the 1st question i ask myself before signing up), but I had no clue how to truly race it.

A few friends offered their suggestions - from "run like the wind" to "run like hell."  I can maintain a 7:30 m/m pace on the treadmill, but only for a quarter mile before needing a quarter mile recovery.  My 5K pace, however, is in the high 8 range.  Somewhere between the 2 lay my goal time, I just couldn't be certain what I am capable of.

After saying hello to a few volunteers/runners I know, I headed to the starting line.  The race was point to point and the starting line was 1 mile away from the registration tent/parking area.  I took the 1 mile jog to the line as an easy warm up.  

Yeah, it was really that dark.

You know its humid when the smell of underarm stank is present at the starting line.
You know you forgot to put on deodorant that morning when you realize its your stank.

The race was broken up into quarter mile increments.  I got passed by a lot of people in the first quarter mile, and I worried that I had started too slowly.  My pace was in the low 8s, so I felt comfortable I was going quickly enough yet would have plenty in the tank for a good sprint at the end.

By the half mile marker I had already passed a few of those people and felt like I was going strong.  I seemed to be maintaining my pace well (although my Garmin later revealed my pace was all over the place).  I tried to kick it up another notch but I remember a bit of a hill which caused me to slow down.

At the 0.75 marker, I started sprinting - really picking it up the last tenth of a mile.  My Garmin shows my last spurt was a 6:54.  Far too fast for someone who was supposed to "run like hell" for a solid mile.  No doubt I held too much back at the beginning because I recovered far too quickly from this race.  

The Knoxville Paper the next day!

I can't beat myself up too much for it though, given it was my first time racing the distance I have to allow for some margin of error.  I'm already looking forward to some speed training and a PR at the distance this time next year!!   

Garmin: 8:07

Official: 8:14

Age Group: 2/3

Overall: 79/109