Race #208
10k #17
2023 Race #5
2023 10k #1
Reedy River 10k #8

Waking up to the rain that I had hoped, a crossed fingers kind of hope, would move on, I wondered whether I should just run a few miles on the treadmill first and then drive down to the race or stick with my original tempo run plan in which I would get just a bit wet. (Mom did not run this one with me because of a work obligation.) I ended up just going for it although my internal debate lasted long enough that I started ten minutes later than I originally planned. I still had enough time to get to the race start, just not as much wiggle room.

I definitely got wet during the four miles I ran to the race start but thankfully the rain stayed in the medium to light range. As I started the run, I felt decent but did let in a little self doubt when I saw the first split. I pushed that thought aside and focused instead on arriving on time.

Once I made my way to “Corral B” (no one really checks whether you should be in that section or not) I had only a few minutes to wait. Then, in the minute between Corral A’s start and our start, I decided to switch from my audiobook to music which made me chuckle at myself since I ended up crossing the start line fumbling with my phone and the ziplock baggie I had put the phone in for protection from the rain.

I managed to get the phone back in the bag and then in the back pocket of my shorts shortly after crossing the start line. I settled into the pace that I needed fairly soon. Unlike other recent races, I looked down at my watch fairly often to check my pace.

Unfortunately, as has become more common with me, time away from the race, only four days at the time of writing, dulls the details. I remember only the brad overview of the race. Quite honestly, I don’t really remember much mat all save for the fact that I banished my self-doubt, kept myself focused on goal pace/effort (more so effort on the hills, especially the last mile that feels almost entirely uphill) and came away with a time that I’m pleased with.

A takeaway from the this race? I need to write recaps sooner.