Twilight 12K 2015 – Race Recap

Gosh do I feel fortunate for how well I am running 7 months postpartum!

Sorry Timing Guys, I had to use your photo again. #bloggerfail

Friday, June 5th was the Twilight 12K held at 7 p.m. in downtown Anchorage. It is a premier running event that always attracts the fastest of the fast. Here’s a little recap on my progress over the years running this race.

Last year I ran the 6K at 4 months pregnant and placed 4th overall.

In 2012, I ran the 12K with my sister in a time of 55:35 and bettered that the next year in with a time of 52:36.

During the 2012 race, I was 39th place for the women, and in 2013 I finished 20th.

Consulting with my coach prior to the race, we decided my goal was sub-50 minutes. I had no doubt I could do that. She said on a really good day I could be sub-49.

Here are my results from this year.

I was ecstatic when I crossed the finish line WAY under my sub-50 goal, 3rd place for the women, and a little prize money ($100) in my pocket!!

I did not (DID NOT) expect to be PRing and feeling so strong this summer. I was hopeful I could PR next summer, but I did not think it would happen this summer.

I felt really good throughout the race and tried very hard to hold back when my competition started out faster than me. I expected to go out a little on the fast side (6:16 for the first mile) since there are some downhill portions. Plus I wanted to have a little bit of cushion for the uphill portions. Most of my splits were pretty consistent with each mile being reflective of the course: a little slower when there were uphill portions and faster during the downhill miles.

Splits:

1 – 6:16

2 – 6:38

3 – 6:34

4 – 6:38

5 – 6:24

6 – 6:33

7 – 6:42

0.4 – 6:44

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The other highlight from the weekend. . . . .

Craig and I celebrated our 7 year wedding anniversary on Sunday.

We didn’t do anything extravagant. I ran 13 miles before church. Then after church we got iced chai and took a drive through all of the rich neighborhoods in Anchorage while Cullen slept. When he woke up, we took him to Cabela’s to see the fish. We stopped at home for a while–I ate some more food, Craig mowed the lawn, before taking Sadie to the dog park. Finally we had dinner at Eagle River Ale House and ate frozen yogurt while listening to This American Life podcast.

It was perfect!

This afternoon I went for a run with this guy. I ran 5 easy miles with a few striders at the end. It was nice to have a short easy run.