Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Run Girl, Run!

Brag Alert!

A few months ago I started training for a 10 mile race in Philadelphia, which takes place in early May. My running buddy signed me up for some shorter races to get my feet wet and, on Sunday, I completed my first competition of the season. While I have gotten much more confident with running I was uber nervous for the race, particularly when minutes prior to the start of it I heard two ladies talking about the hills that we'd encounter. I hate hills. I curse them. My running guru promised me there'd be no #$%@*&^ hills on this course!

I started strong, mostly because the race started downhill and I had the Ting Tings blaring through my earphones. But halfway into mile one, my breathing was so shallow from the inclines that I thought I'd have to stop. As time passed I was able to breathe more deeply. It helped that the crowd had dispersed; soon it was just me, the open road, and scenic farmland.

The guru and I had worked two nights prior with speed exercises at a local track. We did two 1/4 mile and one mile runs as fast as we could. I thought my heart would leap out of my chest. But the exercises paid off in Saturday's race. I was shooting for a 38-minute finish but completed the race in 35:50, a personal best!!! Overall I finished 38 out of 102. Ed finished in 12th place! Yowza!

It gets better...

I was completely satisfied with my speed and placement in the race and was ready to leave when Ed and I learned that we had finished at the top of our age groups! This called for a lot of celebrating!

We stopped in Allentown, the next town over, to grab the vegan Nepenthe at Cali Burrito.

My darling friend Susan cooked us a victory dinner: whole wheat pasta with tomatoes, spinach, garlic and an amazing soy cheese topping. While she and Ed had some vino and beer I relished in a yummy non-alcoholic ginger brew. (Both products are available at Whole Foods).

Me and Ms. Medal

On to the next race, a 10k! If we continue this calibur of celebratory rituals I will be racing indefinitely.

P.S. Thanks to Ed for the awesome HHJ running shirt (pictured above).

6 comments:

Olivia said...

WAY TO GO! I am beyond impressed. Props to you and Ed!

Marjorie said...

Good information to know more details about the holistic health. These holistic health assists people to get rid of all the health related problems if the persons regularly implements the therapies which will cure and prevent the diseases and also prevents the stress related problems.

Susan said...

Congrats!!! Love the shirt!

Ed said...

The guru finished in 28:17 if anyone was curious. Just throwing it out there : )

Jen said...

Thanks, Ladies!!!

Nirali said...

Gooooooo Jennn; Goooooo Cali Burritoooooo! Great Job on running.