10:30 PM
Temp: 67°F
Humidity: 77%
So this past Saturday was my 13K race that I have been waiting for, for a year! Last year, after walking/partially jogging with my son, the 8 miles, I said to myself (and my son and husband), “Next year, I will run this. And heck, do it 3 more times and it’s a marathon, I could do that, with training, why not?”
And here I am, training for that marathon, and have completed the 8 miles, running the entire thing.
Not only running, but I did an awesome pace AND got a PR!
The race was packed. I was hoping it would thin out as we went along, but it only did for about a mile at mile 4ish, and then it was a tight cramp the rest of the way. Over 4000 runners/walkers participating. It was exciting and I LOVE running at night. The temperature was perfect, even though after we were done, I was freezing from the evaporation of sweat. I did bring a change of clothing, but not in the mood to wait in the super long bathroom lines.
During a normal long run, I go through several things. The first 2 miles I am thinking “This is cake, I can do this.” Which turns into “Ugh. Okey, just finish. Pace not bad, but not good either.” Which then becomes “2 miles left. Do.Not.Walk. Why would you walk, you made it this far, just finish it. You’re not tired, just bored. Finish it!” And I finish.
During this race, I didn’t go through any of that. The beginning I had to force myself to stay at an 11min pace cause i really didn’t want to tire out. I should of done a 10:30, but I held myself back mostly for fear of not running the whole thing. After 1.5 miles I just let my body pace itself, which was about 7-9 min pace. My phone program came up and told me my pace was 7:22 at one point and I freaked out! That’s a wee bit fast. And then later it said I was at a 16 min pace?? that I don’t believe. My slow walking is faster than 16 min. Funny thing is I said out loud “What the HELL?” when I heard the 16 min and took off, and heard people by me laughing 
At about mile 4, I wasn’t in the middle doldrums I usually get, I felt good, and was still in the game completely. I drank a Gu energy gel 30 min before the start of the race, and then again 40 min in, which probably helped out a lot. I didn’t feel it or any different, so not sure.
At mile 6.5 is when we come off the roads and into the Hollywood Studios Park. That was the point where I was almost at “I think I need to walk” but not quite, and I never did. I had my two older sons there in several spots cheering me on with my husband, and that did WONDERS for my spirit. Especially since about mile 5 I was developing a huge and painful blister on my left foot. They allow you to dress up in costume for the race (Halloween) but instead of doing that, I just put on knee high striped socks, which are not my normal moisture whisking socks, and much thinner, and I think aided in the blister making, even though I had put on my non-friction stuff in my arches.
One more thing, they had a mystery game during the race, but somehow I missed two clues, so I never figured out ‘who done it’, but oh well, the clues were cute. I am sad this was the last Tower of Terror 13K ever, because it is so much fun, but there is a night half-marathon they just opened up next year for Oct 1st, I might enter.
Blurry pictures for your viewing pleasure:
Me and my two oldest (Andy and Colin) right before the race:
Colin and I:
The start of the race in my time shoot (this is about a third of all the people, behind me is the other 2/3rds. A whole lot of people.)
Heheh this is the road entrance into Hollywood Studios. I was standing still but shaking cause this is about mile 6, so… blurry pic :
Standing in line with my finished medal on, waiting to get my bags of stuff:
The route that my phone recorded while I ran (green dot marks where I started, red-where I ended):
Overall, it was a blast!
Running time: 1hr 21min 19 sec
Distance: 8.078 miles
Miles for this week: 15.08 miles
Calories burned: 874
Avg pace: 10:03 min/mile (!!!!!!!!!!!)
