Ran a new local race on Saturday, the Burningtree Beast Mountain Mania 15K. Perhaps a bit of hyperbole in the naming there, but it was a 9.3 mile work out of a rolling hill course through the streets of country-club suburbia. B and I had driven the course on Friday evening, but wouldn't have really needed to, as it was very well marked and there were plenty of volunteers at aid stations and corners. Well organized little (68 finishers) race.
Hot and humid (temps have been over 90 degrees for over two weeks straight now) but some morning shade on the course and maybe a hint of a breeze sometime; water stations were well spaced, and I had my camelbak as well-- so no problems there. lol, but I still drank fluids like crazy the whole rest of the day.
Ahem, I was finisher #66 with a time of 1:58:20; but I still snared 2nd place in my age division (hah--because there were only 2 of us in the women's age division 50-54). Luckliy, I fell into pace with another runner (Carrie) and chatted with her for the whole second half of the race. It was very nice to have company, and it certainly made taming the beast a bit more enjoyable. We pretty much crossed the finish line together, guess I was half a step ahead of her.
After finishing, chatted with some of the other Decatur and Huntsville runners I'm getting to know. One Decatur fellow, (Wayne, who may be 10 years older than me but finished 48 minutes faster!) kept calling me the "Library Lady." :)
It's been 7 weeks (seems longer!) since I sprained my ankle. This was the LONGEST running distance I've done since then. I taped the ankle again and I ran slow (even slower than at the previous 10k on Memorial Day); still "felt" the strain (especially on the hills), but overall I really enjoyed myself. Felt good to be out there. Recovery was easier than after the Cotton Row (two weeks earlier) too; on the mend for sure!
Between walking and running, I logged 25 miles for the week. note to self: Just because I'm beginning to feel better, I don't want to hotdog it and go try to do too much too fast. Better to take it a bit slow and gradual for a while still. But I sure am hoping the phrase for the summer will be: Relentless Forward Progress!
Spent the rest of the weekend over at B's. Got a couple of (running related)books read. Ate some figs fresh off the tree in the front yard.
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