A Day, A Year

The short version: a 1:01:41 for the Civitan 10K, which betters my previous time of 1:03:49. And there were hills. My god there were hills--especially during miles 2-4, as you can see below.
The Numbers:
mile 1: 9:58
mile 2: 10:14
mile 3: 10:08
mile 4: 10:07
mile 5: 9:32
mile 6: 9:27
and the last .2-- 7:55!!

So a 9:48 pace. Not bad for 52, as I like to say. And speaking of 52, I have two big days coming up. First, my 53 birthday in two weeks. And, second, my blog-a-versary. One year ago, I sent a tentative email to Mark with a running question. Actually, I was feeling rather discouraged, and he encouraged me to start the blog. My first post on June 1 read:

I've always wanted to be a runner, but I could never get motivated to continue. Finally, last fall, I started running. It was a slow start. At the most, I ran 5 minutes without stopping to catch my breath. Joining a running club (that disbanded 6 weeks later) helped me get to a mile. I also started keeping a journal, a private journal. Now, eight months later, I run three miles--barely--but I still say, "I'm not really a runner." I'm not sure what it will take to change that mind set. Perhaps writing about my running in this blog will help.

Today's race, my second 10K, was rather emotional for several reasons. I knew I would struggle since I have only run 6 miles three times in my life, today being the third. I battled an injury for four months, that caused me to cut way back on training. Also, the course today took me right past my dear friend, J's house--she has struggled with breast cancer for so long. And this was my last Virginia race.
Today was a test.  A running friend helped pace me ....otherwise I would have really slowed on those hills even more than I did. The other 10K was flat as a pancake with bands and hundreds of people out to cheer us on. Today, the miles were lonely and long. The run hurt as I tried to maintain the 9:40 pace that David and I had talked about. As I ran up the Blue-Gray Parkway, the trucks raced past, and my legs ached. Was the Forerunner off its mark today? Why was this taking so long? I thought about J, whom we took to lunch in her wheelchair yesterday. I turned off the highway and ran into the neighborhood and through the college.  I wanted to slow down; I wanted to walk. But I didn't.
Finally, I hit mile 5. A friend sitting on the curb spotted me and yelled, Go Susan! As I headed into the last mile, someone on the side yelled: "don't let him beat you!" My running friend turned and said, "go for it." What a difference a year makes. What a difference running friends make--both real and virtual. I could feel all the good wishes you always send.
One thing I have learned is patience...and to truly enjoy this journey. So I didn't make my goal of breaking an hour. I am not going to say "I can't" anymore. As an older runner, I will take my time, but I will continue to push for more distance and speed as my body will allow. A year ago, who would have thought? I couldn't even imagine.
Now I only see possibilities.

Comments

[warren]

Inspiring! (And exactly what I needed to read right now.) Thanks!

[brit]

susan
not only are you an inspiration..you're a STUD.

[Lara]

Susan, I badly needed to read a post like this right now, and I'm so glad it was you writing it. Congratulations on an awesome 10K run!!

[Sarah]

Great post, Susan! Congrats on a strong finish, too :-)

[mark]

You da MAN! umm, er...you know what I mean!

Yay for you Susan. I remember when you were just a baby running blogger and look atcha now. ;)

[Mia]

That's still a great time, even without all the hills and overcoming injuries. You so know how to make me want to run! Congratulations on all your big achievements. - Mia

[brent]

way to go susan!!! great job, you're really cookin' now! awesome.

[Jon in Michigan]

Marvelous race, Susan! I'm just seeing you running faster and faster, and farther and farther. Congrats on the PR!

10K's are a demon to me for pacing and timing. I don't know why but I just can't figure out the right pace ever. I've only run one.

[Rafael]

Great run! Congratulations. Happy birthday(s) too!

Please keep sharing your runs with us. I've enjoyed every single thing I've read in your blog and you've certainly been an inspiration.

[wil]

AWESOME job!! You must be on cloud nine with that PR. Way to go!

[Dawn (aka Pink Lady)]

YOu rock! Agreed, what a difference a year can make. Here's to many more!

[beverly]

What an incredible post ... and congratulations to you!!!!!!

[jeff]

sweet post, susan. you really get to the heart of what the rbf and all it's parts are all about. progress, support, life. people watch you to see what you'll tackle next. continue to be a great inspiration to them. i know you are to us.

[Jack]

Absolutely awesome race! Happy birthday too - 53, going by your picture and your race results I thought you were about 35 ;)

[Megan]

Congratualtions! What a marvelous attitude you have.

[Deene]

Woohoo!! Well done.

[Rebecca]

Great race and great post, Susan. Happy birthday to your blog and to you, too! I love reading how fellow runners were born and your story has been inspirational to say the least!

[Brendan]

Ironically enough, it's the beginner's mind that you need to keep..."a beginner sees many possibilities, while an experienced person sees few."
In starting to run again, I have had to learn to ignore that little voice that tells me "it's been too long," or "you're too old to start over."
That internal voice can be your worst enemy, and keeping it quiet can be an incredibly difficult thing to do. It seems like you're doing that on a regular basis.
Congratulations on a great race!

[Oldman]

great job!!! and happy blog birthday and happy 53 birthday! once you get to my age you celebrate anniversaries of your 39th birthday

[Michelle]

Way to beat up those hills. Congratulations on a great race!

[David]

You are a runner. You have vision, perspective, patience and stamina (well almost enough). That was a fine run. 10Ks are tough. I know you're not as happy as you'd like to be because you always set high standards for yourself. But you know, the result is better than the alternative - having not run and being a slug. You have mastered the run, the hill and the mind. Now smile and enjoy it.

[aprilanne]

Congratulations on a great race..and the PR too!

[christine]

You rock woman!!I've been running about 9 mos now and came upon your blog about 3 mos ago......I'll be 42 this month and have been enjoying the slow yet steady progress I've made. Next to my husband and 9 y.o. dtr., your blog has been a huge
inspiration. I haven't entered a race yet, right now I'm just happy to run with no additional pressure. But I'll admit reading your blog and others has me thinking, maybe....Happy B-day too!

[BD]

I'm so happy for you!!! Congratulations on running a terrific race. I'm impressed by the race results and I'm genuinely inspired by how you fought through the injury during your training. Go YOU!

Happy Birthday!!! And Happy Blog-a-versary! So much to celebrate!!!

[bex]

Congrats on a race well run! Just think of how far you've come in a scant year.