Yeah! Another PR for me. 🙂
I was pretty optimistic I would be able to PR in today’s Alaska 10K Classic Road Race, but I also didn’t want to get over-confident.
Thankfully my legs were able to squeak out a PR in the midst of an 80-mile week. 🙂
With this PR now in the books, this means I have PRed in the following events all within the past 2.5 months.
5K (Bear Paw 5K) – 19:41
10K (Alaska 10K Classic) – 41:49
Half-marathon (Trent/Waldron Glacier Half-marathon) – 1:31:49
Marathon (Grandma’s Marathon) – 3:26:34
Hip, hip, hooray! All my hard work is paying off. 🙂 This makes me very happy. 🙂
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Me getting ready to warm up and giving my husband the look of, “do you really have to take another picture of me?” (Actually, it is really cute; he’s my paparazzi.)
We got to the race about 30 minutes before the start. This wasn’t quite enough time for me to fully warm-up. I could have used an extra 10 minutes—or the time it took me to wait in line for a port-a-potty. (Grrr. . .oh well, I know this was relatively a short wait.)
If I am racing any distance that is a half-marathon or less, I start by jogging for 8-10 minutes—or about one mile.
After my muscles feel warm, I do some static stretching for about 10 minutes. Next it is time for some dynamic stretches: high knees, butt kickers, karaoke, skips, etc.
And then it is time to strip down to the clothes I’m actually going to race in. I always wear more clothes when I warm-up so that my muscles will be truly warm at the start.
Jogging to the start.
Then at the start line, I like to do a few accelerations to make sure my muscles are ready to run fast!
I am actually walking in this picture.
And before long, we’re off.
If you are interested in checking out my competition, you can see the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place women runners in this photo: #522 (yellow tank top) was the winner in 35:52, #247 (blue top, black arm warmers) was second in 36:57, and the girl in the hot pink shorts (white arm warmers) was third place in 38:07. I see these ladies at pretty much every race I run, and they are fast!
Bonus points if you can spot me. Look for the bring yellow shorts and pink sports bra off to the right.
There I am. . . .
Overall, the race went well for me. My legs didn’t feel super tired, but they were super fresh either. I mostly just wanted to PR, so I knew I needed to keep my pace under 7:15 minutes/mile.
This is me at mile 3.
And this is at mile 4.5 or so. (I don’t really remember.)
Coming down the homestretch.
Official time: 41:49.
Official Race Stats
Distance: 6.2 miles (10K)
Time: 41:49
Average pace: 6:44 minutes/mile
Overall place: 45/386
Women’s place: 9th/225
Age group place: 4th/55
And just for comparison. . .
My Garmin Stats
Distance: 6.05 miles
Time: 41:50
Average pace: 6:55 minutes/mile
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Still huffin’ and puffin’ after being done.
Done! (But actually I still had 13 miles to go in order to finish up my long run for the day.)
And KTUU Channel 11 interviewing the men’s winner on the right.
Craig only took this picture of me to get a picture of the Taco Bell mascot. Taco Bell is Craig’s favorite fast food restaurant—and the only one he goes to. He hates McDonald’s but can’t break the Taco Bell habit.
After the race, I finished up my long run and got in 20 miles for the day. I was tired by the time I was done!
Total for the day: 20 miles
Time: 2:38
Average pace: 7:54 minutes/mile
Well done, Michelle! Congrats on the awesome time, and a well-deserved PR 🙂
Awesome Job!! Could you tell me have you always had this much energy yo get up and Run or did yu once stubble to find it ?
what is a day like for eating with you as well?
I’ve always been a morning runner. I don’t know that it always comes easily though. There are many days I’d rather just stay inside where it is warm and dry, but my goals motivate me and knowing how much better I’ll feel afterward.
As far as eating, I usually have oatmeal, a protein smoothie, cereal, or bagel for breakfast–it just depends upon what I’ve craving. I always make sure to add in sufficient protein to whatever I chose. For lunch, I usually like to eat a sandwich and pile on the veggies. My afternoon snack depends upon what I’m craving: fruit, crackers, or maybe a protein bar. My dinner is usually pretty light–maybe a salad or a small portion of whatever I cook for my husband. (I tend to eat most of my calories early in the day.) I will occasionally have dessert in the evening if it in the house, so I try not to buy a lot of ice cream or bake a lot because if it is there, I know I’ll eat it. Anyway, this is really, really brief, so if you want more information, e-mail me, and I’d be happy to share more. 🙂
I loved reading about your race warm-up! I have never warmed up before a race. :O
I know most people don’t, so that’s partially why I threw it in there. And depending upon your goals for the race, it isn’t a bad thing if you don’t warm up, but if you want to perform at your best, I think it is really important to get your muscles ready to race. 🙂
Awesome PR and you look fantastic! Way to go! 😀
Thanks!
Congrats on the 80 mile week- and the PR!! Again I say, you are FAST! My 10k PR is 50 minutes!! You SMOKE me!
You look amazing by the way!!