Well all, today was my first 10k race. I've run this distance just once before, a week ago in FL. So I knew I could do it.

This was the Harvest Moon 5/10k run-walk and it was its first year. I'm no race afficionado, but I think next year they could do better. I don't know how many total entrants, maybe less than 300? But they had 3 port-o-potties set about 100 yards back from the registration area, and none on the course. So, we all dutifully lined up and got our business done prior to the start of the race. I watched a bunch of folks warming up by jogging and running. I know that's how a lot of folks do it, but knew better than to try that. I knew I could do 6.2, but wasn't really sure how much over that I was capable of. I warmed up by walking, doing dynamic stretching, and walking some more. The website promoting this race had this blurb:

The start and finish will be located at the former TWA Administrative  Center. Runner/Walkers will enjoy a great course and all finishers will  enjoy:

• Flat and fast course
• Great shirts
• Chip timing
• Awards and food at the finish

They also had, on their Facebook page, a link to mapmyrun.com which I took a look at last night. This course was not flat, so I was at least expecting that. We started out climbing, so my heart rate was elevated right from the beginning and stayed that way throughout the entire race. At the turnaround for the 5k, they had one water station, and I slowed down and gratefully gulped down a cup of water. I was looking forward to another one a couple miles away, but they didn't have any more until we made it back around to that same one at around 4.5 miles. No port-o-potties were on the course either, which I thought was odd. I didn't need them, but when I did my first 5k race, they had them at the turnaround for the 5k. Since that's all I did, I have no idea if they had others stationed anywhere else, but I bet they did. They also had a 10k and half marathon distances, so I'd bet there were some available for those runners. Additionally at that 5k, they had two water stations for the 3.1 mile distance. So, anyway, enough of that.

At 8 am sharp, he sounded the air horn and off we went. Everybody it seemed was starting out faster than me, but I maintained my pace, faster than I usually start out because I was already warm. And at the beginning we climbed so my heart rate soared to about 140 right off the bat, and pretty well went up and down from there the entire race. The next hill was a slow, gradual incline, and then a slow, gradual decline. Mile 1 finished going up, Mile 2 finished going down. It was rolling hills from mile 2-3 and then things got interesting. From mile 3 to 4.4 it was mostly uphill and that was hard. It was at mile 3.5 that I decided to walk a bit for the first time, then again at 4.3 as we were heading up the steepest hill. At 4.6 I stopped to gulp down some water and started chugging uphill again after that. I crested that hill at the 5.1 mark, and then it was a nice gradual downhill for the next quarter mile. We climbed again for the next quarter mile and I stopped and walked again to bring my breathing back down so I could finish strong. The best part was the last bit was downhill, so you could really stride out a bit at the end and finish feeling like you could keep going.

The other runners agreed that they should have called the course "rolling hills". It wasn't brutal, but certainly challenging.

I finished in 1:08.50, which makes my average pace 11:18/mile. Compared to my training run last week in FL - flat, flat, totally flat of 11:22/mile, I'm actually shocked and thrilled I did it as fast as I did, given that I had to walk 3 times. Well, I didn't actually have to, I chose to because I didn't want to be totally worn out at the end. I'm stubborn and competitive and know those are two really bad things to be when you're racing. It's best to listen to your body, know your body and push it but only as much as you think you should without hurting yourself. I would have loved to report I ran the whole thing, but I have nothing to be ashamed of for having those brief walking breaks when I did. I joined another woman for the last mile, we talked a bit and helped each other finish and that was pretty cool. It was her first 10k as well.

I finished 5th in my age group. I have no idea how many there were, I didn't stick around after seeing I didn't medal. There were still some folks out on the course when I left, so I'll wait to see how I did overall once they have those posted. I know I came in 66th overall, but I don't know how many entrants there were total.

So, how do I feel?

Well, I finished a quarter of a marathon today, half of a half. Would I be ready next month to run a half? I don't think so. Am I in a hurry to run another 10k race? No, not really. But ask me again in a week or so. I remember the time when 3.1 was a struggle. I have to remind myself that the challenge is in increasing distance, and it's ok to feel challenged. I'm my worst critic and have a tendency to question whether I am a runner since it doesn't seem to come easy for me. I'll tell you though, my kids were in bed when I was out doing 6 miles. In the next 2 1/2 months, I'll be training for a half marathon.

I guess that makes me a runner.

ChipperT, well done! You rocked it for sure.

Yes, in large races, it sometimes takes a while to even reach the timing mat to get your start time, and then you have to dodge and go faster and slower to get around slower folks in front of you. If you think you're ready to do the 10k, then go ahead and do it. Really, if you can easily do 5, what's another 1.2 miles? You can probably do one of the 5ks just to see if you could improve your time.