Capital 10K race report & Friend Making Monday

On April 6^th, I ran the Austin Statesman Capital 10K.  This is my first repeat race.  Last year it was the second race I did after I started running and the first 10K I did.  Last year I was of the mind that walk breaks are for sissies, so I didn’t take them.  Last year, I ran it in 1:06:53 with an average pace of 10:33.  This year, I took walk breaks and was also still recovering (even though I felt that I felt just fine).  I ran it in 1:10:14 with an average pace of 11:09.  So, I’ve slowed down some.  But, maybe not.  Like I said, I was still recovering from the half marathon (that I PR’ed) the Sunday before.  So, I’m sure my legs weren’t fully recovered.  My left calf was really tight after the Capital 10K, which is the one that the massage therapist told me was super tight after the half marathon.  Also, I did really push it the day before the 10K with my fast-for-me 2 mile run…so maybe that played a role in my slower time.  No matter what, though, I’m happy with the run I did and I’m not disappointed in my time.

So, review of the race.  I’ll start with the expo.  It was in a MUCH smaller venue and had maybe a third of the vendors that it had last year.  Major disappointment for me. 

On my way to the race, it POURED down rain for about 5 minutes while I was in the store buying a couple items I had forgotten to grab before I left the house (anti-diarrheals, sandwich baggies for my phone).  I almost bought a poncho too, but changed my mind last second.  I figured if it was still raining bad when I went to head to the race start that I would just leave my phone in the car and run sans music.  I’ve done it many times before and it’s not that bad.

When I was walking up to the starting area, I observed a lady wearing a bib (so she was running in the race) SMOKING!  Seriously?!?!?!  When I got to the starting area, I ran into a couple co-workers.  I noticed them because they were both wearing their “Team Sheriff” tech shirts.  They asked where my TS shirt was and I said I only wear it for Sheriff’s Office sponsored events.  Anyway, we hung out until we FINALLY (11:30 minutes after the gun went off) made it to the actual start line and took off running.  We were pretty “neck and neck” for the first like half mile, then they took a walk break and I breezed by them and didn’t see them anymore.  Around mile 2.5, I stopped to lube up my under-bicep area with some Vasoline when I felt a hand on my shoulder.  I turned and there was one of the supervisors from work, Lisa!  She was running with a friend of hers that was just recovered from hip surgery!  Go her!  (I didn’t catch her name)  Lisa and I chatted for a few, then I took off while she took it easy with her friend.  I had planned to catch them at the finish line and take a finisher’s photo with Lisa.

I don’t remember the coverage of photographers from last year’s race, but there was a difference in what I can remember toward the end of the race.  Last year, toward the end, they had a photographer in a bucket above the runners taking photos from above…this year?  Nope.  I’m just hoping that the photographers that were there snapped at least one good picture of me that I can download later on to put in my scrapbook.

There was some construction going on at Auditorium Shores (where the finish line festivities took place last year), so the finish line area was all messed up.  First off, the finishing shoot was incredibly long and a total mess.  The only thing they were handing out in the shoot was water.  I later saw people that had generic Gatorade and bananas and some other items.  Where the heck did they find those?!?!?!  I have no idea and I wasn’t going to stick around at the finish line to find them either.  I didn’t stick around because as soon as I stopped running and got out of the shoot and away from the mass of bodies, it was COLD!!!  And it had started to drizzle a little bit, which didn’t help.  I was wearing a tank top, not a long sleeved running shirt, so I chilled easily and quickly.  So, I took my finisher’s photo and headed for the car, abandoning the idea of waiting for Lisa and friend to finish to take a photo with her.  As I drove home, it rained.  So, the race was at the perfect time…right between and downpour and a decent rain.

I’m hoping next year’s expo and race are better planned and executed because I do plan to run it again.

Friend Making Monday

1. Have you ever had a reoccurring dream? What was it?

Yes, I have a few that are recurring.  Unfortunately, I don’t remember any of them because it’s been a while since I’ve had one of them. 

2. What was the weirdest food you've ever eaten?

Octopus that is just boiled, not fried and still looks like little octopi

3. Can you comfortably eat in a restaurant by yourself? Go to movie?

Yes and yes.  I eat at restaurants all the time by myself.  Of course, I prefer to be with a friend, but I have no problem doing it by myself.  Same thing with the movie.

4. What would you leave in your will for the person you care about the most?

My cats (unless they’re allergic, of course) because my cats are my world and mean everything to me.  I would only leave them with someone I trust completely.

5. Would you rather...Go without television or fast food for the rest of your life?

Fast food please.  Ugh, if I could rid myself of fast food, I would be so happy.

6. What was the best thing that happened to you this past week?

I got to hang out with my bestie, Amanda, twice in one week!  And we scrapbooked together :)

7. List the food items you take at a salad bar.

Romaine lettuce, mushrooms, chickpeas or kidney beans, tomatoes, sunflower seeds, cheese.

8. If you were in the "Miss America" talent competition, what would your talent be? (Note: both guys & gals have to answer this question)

Maybe singing.  I don’t have a whole lot of talents that would be applicable to that competition.

9. What do you keep in the trunk of your car?

Boxes for my future business of selling renaissance style costume pieces.  And my reusable shopping bags.

10. How many rings before you answer the phone?

Until I hear it.