heart mini marathon 15k results

I hate to be Debbie Downer, but it was my worst race I've ever run... I was negative when I woke up, I didn't even want to go. (it was rainy/windy/30ish degrees)

I woke up so late that I didn't eat breakfast, I ended up eating a GU in the car. I forgot my ipod at home. I wore brand new running shoes. I ran alone.

My first mile I felt good, but before I hit the 2nd mile mark, I started to sound like a horse... my shoes felt like they had bricks in them... I'm not sure what it wrong with my new fancy shoes, but I think I like my older cheaper style better. I was cussing in my head the entire race, I didn't have nutrition, Advil, or my ipod to keep me going. By mile 6 I was ready to pass out, I started walking up the highest elevation on the course and walked to the side to ask the Medical peeps to hook me up with ANYTHING with Sugar. I was so dizzy! I took the O.J. and chugged for a bit then made up a story in my head that it was magic super man juice and that this will save my race. Fortunately I made it to the top of the hill just in time for my super juice to kick in. So I got to fly down the hill and pass all the people that passed me while I was nearly passing out/walking up the hill. I know that tiny bit of the race that I walked was going to mess up my entire run... I kept repeating I drank the magic juice, i now have super powers in my head... and other crazy thoughts to just try to stay positive. I passed mile 7... WHEW... I didn't think I'd even make it that far... 1 more mile left.... STRAIGHT UP A HILL... I just kept looking for crowd support and people cheering and the finish line. The weather was so rainy/windy/cold... there weren't that many supporters. I decided to say a few words to a guy next to me so I could have anything to think about but my negativity. I had a half mile left and finally saw the finish line... I wanted to quit, I was just done... my superman juice failed me and I was on E. I just kept going... the last .3 of the 9.3 ...one of the coaches from my flying pig training group tapped my on my shoulder... YAY finally... someone to keep me going... I was at this point about to faint... he just talked me through it, and we crossed the line at 1:14:01.

After the race I ate a banana and had an energy water, and couldn't believe I actually finished in an okay time, for how bad I felt, and nearly passing out. I was still really mad at myself for preparing right, staying in the night before, training groups, new music on my ipod... but not remembering to EAT breakfast, bring my ipod, wear comfy shoes!?!?? I should have at least ran it at a 7:30 pace(from my weekly runs with the training group)! not 7:58. Oh well... NEXT year I'll know what NOT to do :)

I feel very lucky to have my friends, runninduff, and family cheering me on through texts, emails, and messages... thank you!

Results:

bib#4658
name:Danielle

overall: 540
division place: 28 , out of 330 25-29 y/o women
women: 116, place out of 1624
10k time: 49:09
first mile: 6:50
last mile: 7:27
final time: 1:14:01
average pace: 7:58




Article from the Cincinnati Enquirer about the race: "Hip and back problems made 2008 pretty much of a “waste” for Chris Reis. He’s hoping to get back on track on 2009.

Reis took a big step on that journey Sunday with a win in the 15-kilometer Heart Mini-Marathon. Reis ran the course, most of which was on chilly, wet and windswept Columbia Parkway, in 49:03 – far below the times with which he won three consecutive Heart 15-k before sitting out last year’s, but still somewhat satisfying.

“I’m getting there,” the 27-year-old Delhi native said. “This wasn’t the greatest day for proving your fitness.”

Reis finished exactly a full minute ahead of Chris Herren. Last year’s winner, Brian List, finished third at 50:19.


They dealt with temperatures in the 30s, intermittent rain and swirling winds that never settled on one direction. "