Good morning! The last week has been a whirlwind. Though I have a to-do list a mile long to get caught up, I’m also still content sitting here smiling from the memories of the weekend while watching my one year old (!!!) stand and push her new grocery cart ride-along toy around the room. I have a one year old now. Unreal. The celebration went wonderfully.
Compliments of Magen Marie Photography
I’ll get to the birthday recap as soon as I get all the pictures, but first…
I ran a 10k. Yes, I ran it, as in I didn’t walk at all during the entire race! How? I’m still not sure.
I woke up around 6am and ate breakfast. Toast, cream cheese, egg and orange juice. I pumped, got dressed, then we were off!
Well, not before the obligatory pre-race photo. Did I mention my brother, Kris, ran it with me? It was so great to have him there and run it together.
I made a final pit stop before we headed to the start line. At this point my stomach started turning circles. I just can’t control my nerves. I considered making a dash for another bathroom stop, but then the race started and I had no choice but to just run.
The race was very well done. It was clearly marked and we ran by beautiful fields and fancy houses, which helped keep my mind occupied. I wish I could say my stomach calmed down, but more so I learned to ignore it.
I felt good running and noticed I was averaging around 9:38 minute miles. Racing is so different than training. Despite hills and humidity (though the temperature was a fantastic 60ish degrees), my mind stayed busy watching the scenery and listening in on conversations of those running beside me.
Before I knew it, I was 3 miles in and was still feeling good! It didn’t hurt that I had my own cheering team. David, mom and Hailey somehow found the halfway point and gave me a needed boost of energy!
After another mile I noticed I was still averaging under 10 minute miles. Who am I? This was awesome.
Finally, I saw the 5 mile sign and it dawned on me that there was a possibility I could finish in under an hour, a goal that never even occurred to me was possible. I decided I had to do it.
That last 1.2 miles was brutal. I ran hard, I hurt. I kept reminding myself that no matter how uncomfortable I was, I felt a lot better than I did one year ago on that day. It didn’t help that we ended on an uphill. At that point, my legs were numb, my lungs hurt, my lower back was cramping, but I finally saw the clock at the finish line and a rush of adrenaline shot through me. I ran, and I crossed the finish line under the 60 minute mark!
I heard my family cheering my name and felt such a high! I also felt like I might collapse, so I kept going, right past the finish line and walked in circles, until I could breathe normally again.
I was so shocked, so excited and couldn’t wait to give my birthday girl a giant hug!
Then, we snapped pictures!
We found Christie and Riley, who placed 3rd in the 5k!
And Kris placed 3rd in his division in the 10k!
So proud of them!
So how did I do?
My official chip time was 58:44; my gun time was 59:03. I was 5th place out of the 11 in my division and 59th out of the 133 females total. My turn around time was 32:31, which proves that I decided to really push myself that second half!
All in all, I’m so pumped that I did it. I felt strong and surprisingly my legs only felt slightly sore the next day.
So now my only question is… what next?
David and I are thinking the Cooper River Bridge Run in Charleston!
Any other 10k suggestions?
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says
Great race!!! I am so happy you did so well!
Andrea says
Congratulations! What an accomplishment! I’m so happy for you. Maybe a 15 next…http://www.hotchocolate15k.com/
Brittany says
I barely survived a 10k! …though hot chocolate sounds tempting 🙂
Whitney says
Congratulations Brittany! Glad you had a great race and are already thinking of your next one! That’s a good sign 🙂
Lauren @ The Unlikely Runners says
congratulations!! What an awesome race experience, I love 10K’s and racing!
Kelli H (Made in Sonoma) says
Congrats on your accomplishment!
Erica says
Congrats! That is so amazing … I’m doing my first 5k in November then I think I’ll set a very Big goal to do a 10k next year!
Brittany says
My first 5k was 2 years ago (before I got pregnant) and it was such a rush! Good luck! I’m sure you’ll kill it 🙂
Erin @ The Grass Skirt says
Congrats on the race, Brittany! I cannot wait to read the recap of Hailey’s party. 🙂
Stefanie says
Way to GO!! Congrats on an awesome race!!
Amanda says
Congrats on your new accomplishment! That’s so awesome! I’m considering the cooper river bridge too! A lot of my friends have done it, even some that aren’t runners at all, and I always hear such great things about it!
Danielle @ Long May You Run says
Congrats! I think it’s time you start calling yourself a runner 😉
There’s a 15k in October in LKN- lungstrong.com – and there’s also the Thunder Road half in November … *wink wink*
Brittany says
a half- haha! I barely made it through the 10k. Are you doing Thunder Road?
Lisa says
Oh goodness, that first picture of Hailey is adorable!!
Congrats on your race, you did wonderfully!!
Tanya @ Vegan Faith says
Congratulations! So proud of you!
Hallie@ChasingHallie says
Congrats! That is amazing that you finished in under an hour. Way to go!
I was a bit slower (1:13:27) but I survived! Can’t wait to train and run the next one.
Looking forward to seeing pics of Hailey’s birthday!
Brittany says
Congratulations!!! I high fived myself for surviving, too 🙂
When are you doing your next one?
Maria says
What a fantastic race! So proud of you!
I love the photo of Hailey! Such a great idea having a photographer there – much easier than trying to capture the moments yourself!
Ali says
What a great race recap. Can’t wait to see more pictures from the party that Magen took…..they are bound to be wonderful!
KaraHadley says
You are amazing, momma! Not only did you rock it so hard, but you proved to yourself that you still have that warrior strength in you. I think a butt kicking race should be a tradition on Hailey’s birthday.
emily s says
That is awesome! Congratulations!!!
Jen@HealthyFoodandFamily says
YAY!!!!! Great job @ the race!!!!
Lauren B. says
Woo hoo! You should definitely be proud of yourself!
jen says
great job brittany! i’m so excited for you and your awesome sub-1 hour 10K finish. this is my favorite time of the year to do races. amazing weather!
Tina @ Best Body Fitness says
WOOOO HOOOO! I’m so so so so so so thrilled for you! I knew you would kill it!
Lauren K says
AMAZING! I know I already told you but so proud and happy for you. That first picture is adorable and I can’t wait to see more for ideas!
Kathy says
Great job! I enjoyed reading about your race adventure. It can become addicting! 🙂
Lindsay @ The Lean Green Bean says
awesome job girl!!
Lee says
That’s awesome. Congrats!!
Paige @ Your Trainer Paige says
That’s awesome, Brittany! You can tell you are just beaming 🙂 Way to go.
Jessie says
Congratulations Brittany! So proud of both you & your birthday. What a fabulous accomplishment <3
blackhuff says
Well done for completing your 10k race without walking at all. You were more prepared that you thought and lead us to think 😉
Well done.
Aunt Lynn says
Good for you Brittany!!!
Danica @ It's Progression says
Way to go, Brittany!! Congrats on such a great race!
Chantal says
That’s great! Good job!!
Paige Colson says
Way to go! That is so awesome!
Terry says
Congratulations Brittany. You’re truly an inspiration. I’m 51 years old and just completed my first 5-K (39.32 minutes). I’d like to work towards a 10K. We have a great one here in Vancouver called the Sun Run. Usually over 50,000 people participate (I believe it’s the largest in North America). Save your pennies and come on up and join me in April 2013!