Shoot for the Stars

Gig Harbour. 8:00 a.m. Race for a Soldier. Got a good nights sleep, ate a light breakfast, and prepared well for this race. I rode with Mishel this morning. Sheri, Gordan, and 2 high school girls came as well to run. We all went together about 6:30 a.m. to Gig Harbour. It was very very cold this morning! I had shorts on and a tank but ended up keeping my long sleeved shirt that was given in the race packet. It was an awesome shirt! Very light weight but nice looking black long sleeved sports tee. I had to have something to wear after the race so I wouldn't get too cold. I don't like having long sleeved though cause you have to tie it around your waist. Used the restroom before the race then Sheri, Mishel, Gordan, and I lined up in the 9 min pace corral. I started out not as fast as I usually do trying to be smarted about my start time. Then when I saw myself getting ahead I slowed down and went the speed of Mishel and Sheri. They kept a good pace most of the way and were just right behind me or with me most of the way. When we got the hill though I actually ran on ahead of them. We passed Niki and Janet before the hill on mile 4. The hill was tough but I was amazed at how good I felt on the hill. The only hill that bothered me the most was when we got to the gated community past mile 8 and there was a tough hill right after the golf course on the L. My legs were burning there and I almost wanted to walk but didn't. I took one blackberry gu shot on mile 7 and drank water at every water stop. The course was on black top so it wasn't too hard on the knees. I didn't have any pain the whole way!! I did get just a little chaffing under my arms but that was it! No pain on the calus of my L foot!!!! I love my new asics!!! I can honestly say I felt strong the whole race! I had a lof of endurance and speed. I was able to pass a lot of people a long the way. I loved how the last 2 miles or so was on gravel/dirt near a water tank. It really switched things up a lot! I enjoyed running through the richy neighborhood as well!! Some of those houses were amazing!!!!!! The landscaping and golf courses were goregous!! How fun!! I would have to say I really enjoyed the course! It was nice that it was just cloudy and there was no rain!! I had enough energy right near the end to sprint as well!!! I did mentally get super tired the last mile though but I knew I was almost done. I sprinted full on when I saw the finish line. I got a neat dog tag for the finishing medal! Ate a bannana and nutrition bar after. So happy to have completed this run!