Sunday, October 05, 2008

Yeeee hawwww a PR!!!

So I raced the YMCA Harvest Fair 10K this morning.

On a side note, I really think there must be something to what you choose to wear when you race. Like, when I went to Fleet Feet yesterday to pick up my race packet I found this skirt on the CLEARANCE rack.

Now granted, this looks purple. The skirt I got is this really nice blue (that they didn't have on their website) that matches my Team Aquaphor top quite nicely.

When I was all outfitted this morning a little squeal escaped my mouth as I looked in the mirror: I LOOKED SOOOOOO CUTE!!! I just thought "wow, for once I feel like I look girly and cute as opposed to wearing stuff that's strictly sporty-manly. NICE."

So, I felt cute and I think that helped.

Because I PR'd. And I won my age group! And I think I got like, 7th or 8th woman overall.

Early on I passed a woman that looked like she was in my age group. I had glanced back once mid-race and didn't see her. So imagine my surprise at mile 4 when I realized she was on my heels. Then at mile 4.75 she passed me. She said "Don't worry, I'm 50." I kind of laughed and I said "oh, I really did think you might be in my age group!" (later she said that she didn't have the breath to respond, but wanted to say "girl, you must need some sugar then because you're not seeing very well!"). So I sort of backed off just a little, slightly relieved.

But then at like, mile 5.5 I thought "well the HELL WITH THAT. I WANT TO BREAK 45:00. AND I DON'T CARE IF SHE'S NOT IN MY AGE GROUP, I AM GOING TO BEAT HER, DAMMIT!" So I picked it up as we went up this little incline and passed her at the top and began to round the corner toward the 6 mile mark. "Good job," she said. "THANKS, YOU TOO" I breathlessly yelled back.

I wanted to break 45:00 SOOOO BADLY. And as I was coming down the final line I was at 44:00 and thought "I don't think I'm gonna make it. I just don't" Then I told myself "SHUT UP YES YOU WILL. YES. YOU. WILL."

So I ran hard. Like, just as hard as I did last week during my XC race and it hurt SO BADLY. But I was going to do everything I could to break 45:00.

Sadly enough, it didn't happen. I did 45:05. But 5 seconds isn't too bad. It means it's possible for next time!!

Now I'm going to go eat lunch and drink wine.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow Sarah, CONGRATS! Check you out all stylish and fast...I'm impressed and more than a little jealous of that fabulous skirt.

Way to push it to the end...you're an inspiration. I gotta go run your pace for just one minute so I can see what it feels like...

rocketpants said...

I heart my running skirt too. Some women hate them, but I think they are GREAT.

Nice job on a PR! you will get 45 soon I am sure.

beth said...

yay! a cute outfit CAN make all the difference! i want some pictures of your PR day....

great race! (And great new blog look too:) )

Rainmaker said...

Awesome job! You keep edging up, I think 44 will soon be in your future!

I also strive to look cute with my outfits. I find skirts show off too much of my ass though, so I generally avoid them.

Mel said...

Ha I just bought a running skirt too...My husband hates them..BUT I wore mine 2 times and I actually liked it...I did not have to pick my butt like every 2seconds (like I do when I wear running shorts) due to my shorts riding up my butt:) I feel more covered up...I have a 10K the 26th and already have my outfit ordered...SO SO important to try and look cute:) I hope I can PR like you too...you did GREAT.....enjoy your wine!!!

rr said...

Congratulations!!! Look pretty, and performance will follow.

That 44:59 is in you. Find a faster course :)

Anonymous said...

you did so awesome today! i did see you in your cute little skirt, but i didn't get to say hi - i was stuck in my booth! next event, for sure! (are you doing tri girl tri this saturday?)

Chris Westall said...

SWEET!!! Rock the MF Hizous.

I'm sure the race pics will be Great too.

Courtenay said...

great job sarah! i knew you could do it. i love this post. and what rachel said... let's find a fast course ;)

Eileen Swanson said...

sweet, congrats!! i am sure you looked super cute in that skirt ;-)

J.P. Patrick said...

Nice race, Sarah! Go hard, then good food and wine...that's a great day!

Anonymous said...

Great Job Sarah! You didn't tell me it was a PR!!! AWESOME!

triguyjt said...

hey...cute can be fast...and you proved it....great job...
under 7:30 a mile is going at a pretty darn good clip...

enjoy the wine

Marit C-L said...

The skirt is awesome! Great job on the race - that's super cool! 10ks are tough - painful! But you pushed through!!! Congrats!!!