Girl Power!

This morning I ran the 10 mile race of the Tempe Iron Girl series. I ran the 10 mile race in 2007, had to miss it last year because of an AP Chemistry Professional Development workshop, and was pleased to be able to run it again this year.

After last week's sucky 5k attempt, I changed a few things up this week. No speed workout on Wednesday (I figured Sunday's 5k was enough speedwork for the week), I cut back my red wine intake to only one glass on two (ok, three) occasions this week, and most importantly ( I think), I did NOT go out on Friday night :) I really concentrated on getting enough sleep and hydrating. This, coupled with Keeper's acupuncture and adjustment regimen equaled a great effort today.

My goal was (to try) to run the race a the pace I hope to run the 1/2 marathon in (roughly 8:30 miles). The race organizers did not have pace groups or a corral start at the event. They casually reminded people that faster runners should be up front and walkers should be in the back. Since both events (5K and 10 mile) started at the same time and used the same course, everyone was crammed in together. Since the announcer's definition of "fast" runners was a 5 or 6 minute mile, I figured I was middle of the pack. I quickly realized not everyone knows race etiquette and just lined up wherever. The first 3/4 of a mile were a giant clusterf*ck as people were walking, jogging slowly, or STOPPING in the middle of hoards of people to find their friends. I spent the first mile weaving and dodging people, trying to avoid the massive mud pits, and trying to not trip over anyone. I heard one lady saying to her friend "sheesh! What is everyone's problem; we're all going to the same finish line eventually!!" and I felt like saying, "Line up in the back and get out of my way!"

Regardless, it thinned out after the first mile and the rest of the race was quite pleasant. The temperatures were cool (in the 50s and 60s), the water stops were plentiful ( I did not wear my fuel belt for the first longer race in almost 4 years), and overall, it was a great course. I felt good the entire time and finished in 1:22:59. I was more than happy with that effort and was glad Keeper and Onyx were there to support me and cheer me on.

As hokey as the "girls only" events seem, I can't say enough good things about this one. The expo was good (tons of free food products), good technical shirt I will actually be able to work out in, a reusable shopping bag, finisher's medal, post-race breakfast (chocolate milk included!!), and of course the plush Aflac Iron Girl duck that squawks "Aflac!" when pushed (who's going to get this for Festivus, I wonder???).

The real reason I run this race is the atmosphere. I love the support and encouragement along the course and during the race. It was a truly fun and feel-good effort and I was relatively stress-free the entire race. This is a polar opposite to last week's 5k/10k event. It is so easy to get sucked into the obsessive (and self-centered) running culture of the coaches and cross country world I've spent so much of the last 4 months in. I would much rather go out and have fun with a bunch of girls any time :)