SUCCESS!
I ran 10 miles in 1:40:03 – a 10-minute pace – WOOT!
Double fisting, {ontherun} style.
I had some serious doubts going into this race, but I did it and I couldn’t be happier. It was a great experience. I’m so glad I opted to run.
Since my tagline is “running and rambling,” I’m going to ramble my way through the recap with a thought for every mile.
1. When the {ontherun} team joins forces, fun happens.
I was a bundle of nerves leading up to the race – a 6 PM start makes for a very long, nervous day – but as soon as Lauren hopped in the car, we got the party started. The newest member of the {ontherun} team got in on the action, too.
Team BeckOnTheRun FTW.
Fun times!
2. Matching outfits make everything better.
In typical {ontherun} fashion, LB and I donned matching shirts – the brighter the better! Something about a snazzy running outfit makes race day much more exciting.
3. There can never be too many porta-potties.
We hit some traffic on the way to the race, so we arrived a little later than expected. Then we saw the loooong porta-potty lines. There was a moment of panic, but the race was well-organized, the lines moved quickly, and everyone had time for the obligatory pre-race porta-potty visit.
4. Local races bring out local runners.
Nearly 3,500 runners came out for yesterday’s race. I felt like a knew most of them! Okay, not quite…but I did see so many familiar faces in the crowd. The race was filled with friendly smiles, waves, and words of encouragement. The positive energy was contagious.
5. Be prepared to run your own race.
As I mentioned, I made plans to run this race with Lolly, but sometimes plans change. I started with Lolly and a group of friends from the gym, but their pace was slightly faster than mine, so I told them to go ahead. Starting too fast never ends well for me, so I opted to run alone at a pace I knew I could hold for ten miles. Running alone worked best for me yesterday. I missed the company of my running buddies, but I made a decision that was best for me.
6. Running is a mental sport.
During the first couple miles of the race, I was miserable. It was hot, humid, and I was running too fast. Negative thoughts started to creep in and I wondered why I decided to run. It’s difficult to swallow the pride and let your friends go head, but a bad attitude would not get me through ten miles. I knew that much. I thought about my mom and Sean waiting for me at the finish line and I wanted to smile when I saw them. I found pace a could sustain and got into my groove. I watched the runners around me pushing through the same conditions and challenging themselves. I could feel the camaraderie among us. It was contagious. The second half of the race was awesome!
7. Crowd support is key.
Rhode Island may be small, but big things happen here. One of the greatest aspects of The Blessing is the crowd support. Fans from all over our little state come out to support the runners. The lawns were filled with people cheering us on. They had music, water, and spirit. The atmosphere of this race can’t be beat.
8. Loved ones provide an instant boost.
My mom and Sean saw us off at the start of the race and I didn’t expect to see them again until I reached the finish line. When I heard my Mom calling my name 7.5 miles into the race, I could feel a huge smile come to my face. I looked into the crowd and there they were, waving proudly, cheering me on. As soon as I saw them, I knew that I had it in me to finish strong.
9. You get what you train for.
Last year I ran The Blessing in 1:26:44. This year I ran the same race 13+ minutes slower. Last year I woke up before the sun to run long, run fast, and train hard. This year I am taking a more laid-back approach to training. The last time I ran more than six miles was May 1st. The last time I wore my Garmin was May 7th.
A different training plan yields different results. I may have lost some running fitness, but I have gained so much in the last few months. I am beyond thrilled with my race! I adjusted my expectations according to my training, ran smart, and had fun. I couldn’t ask for more. And a picture is worth a thousand words…
10. And finally…will run for pizza!
Seriously. It doesn’t get any better than a post-race pizza with a side of adrenaline. I love sitting around the table rambling about all the details of the race with my {ontherun} crew. Pizza is my absolute favorite post-race food. I’m pretty sure I was thinking about this slice at mile five. It was the perfect way to end the day.
***
The Blessing of the Fleet remains one of my favorite races of all time. I love everything about it – the local tradition, the ten mile distance, and the race organization. Both experiences with this race have been fantastic. I plan to make it an annual {ontherun} event.
Tell me about your favorite race!
