Run Wild 5K 09

This week the Little Studs and Muscle Man came down with runny noses and scratchy throats. I TRY to avoid catching the gunk...but I must have cuddled with the baby too much because on my way home Friday my throat was on FIRE and Muscle Man had major fatigue.. GREAT!!! WE went to be early hoping that a good night of rest would work miracles.

Lights out 9:05PM... During the course of the night, for various reasons, I saw EVERY HOUR. The baby was up at least 7 times....that child has a knack for pre-race nightly interruptions.. Eventually 6:45am chimed and I was UP! I had heard the rain pouring at 3, 4 and 5 AM, so I knew what we were in for.

Breakfast, Nuun and off to the Run Wild 5K at Northwest Trek. The In-Laws were in town for Muscle Man's 33rd Birthday so the kiddos were tucked in bed when we departed. The cars were piling in slowly to the Park and I realized this was going to be a BIG race.. COOL!!

Parked and snapped a picture...because we would not have a photog during our run..


Got our race numbers 69 and 70..and waited in the Honey Bucket Line. My Garmin was not happy with the Clouds but eventually found a signal when I rested it on a stump. Muscle Man was feeling faint and I told him he did not have to run. He toughed it out. TIRED, SICK and in the RAIN...the odds were stacked against us.

At the start line, in the RAIN, I noticed the 65 (now 66) year old woman who I barely beat at the 10K last month..Hmmmm... We were near the front, had our chips on and the horn blew. The plan was for Muscle Man to try to keep up. I weaved around a few runners and before I knew it I had lost him.... SORRY HONEY!!

Mile 1 I felt strong I told myself not to go out too fast and I knew the mile would be flat, out and back where we drove in. I could see 3 females ahead of me, one took the 8K path, I passed the second, but the 3rd was about 100yards ahead. I sped up!! We turned and headed back toward the park. I saw Muscle Man and he said "She is about 100 yard in front of you." I said "I know!" Seeing him was the highlight of my race because I knew he was there for me 333%. Mile 1- 6:58.

Mile 2 and my head was playing games with me. Since I hoped Muscle Man would be with me I left my Ipod in the car and was forced to listen to my breathing...SUCKY!! Through the beautiful overgrown green forrest, getting pelted by rain drops, Washington at it's finest! I could tell I was slowing a bit. Mile 2- 7:02.

Finally the park, that meant the finish was not far away. I had lost Female #1, no sign of her, I was internally settling for second. I got passed by a man maybe in his 60's in a bright orange shirt. I vowed not to get passed by anyone else and sped up. The park is filled with amazing Northwest Animals, Cougars, Bears, Coyotes, did I look at the animals while running? NOPE!! I looked at Garmin, and he was not behaving...I was not running 10:35 pace!!! UGH!!

Tired as I rounded the switchback downhills, this is treacherous for a 6'0 oaf...so I slowed careful not to slip on the wet concrete and break my head open. There were several wonderful race volunteers along the way.. THANK YOU!! A very welcome distraction. I could not get the negative thoughts out of my head, "Slow Down this hurts, Slow Down you have a side ache, Slow Down why are you doing this?" It was all I could do to silence the STUPID inner IDIOT!!

The last stretch there was a steep little hill that my knees hated...at the top the FINISH LINE. My A goal was for sub-7 minute miles. My B goal was to have a time in the 21's. The clock had a 21 as the first number so I S-P-R-I-N-T-E-D!!! Chip time 21:54. More than a minute faster than my race last weekend... Can you say PR Baby??

I cut off my chip, and stood waiting for Muscle Man. The orange shirt guy said "You Inspired me the whole way." I am not sure what that meant, but I took it as a compliment. I thanked a few volunteers and cheered for the runners. Here comes Muscle Man Chip Time 25:59 . I was so proud of him for fighting through the sickness and finishing his first 5K....For me!!

We went back to the car to get our sweatshirts, I was FREEZING!! We also got the camera. To left just above my should is an Eagle...probably can't see it.

Muscle Man happy to be done running and sporting Gonzaga gear. He said his favorite part was the beautiful scenery, the finish line and that he was 33rd overall on his 33rd birthday. He wishes he would have had the energy to stay with me. Next time Honey!!

There was Water, Bananas, oranges and COFFEE!! Hello Coffee, Yes please. I took 2nd overall for Females, hence the #2 or peace sign pose.

Hubby sporting the 33. It was wet!! There were puddles and mud everywhere. I had brought dry shoes, socks and clothes but decided not to change... DUMB!! I froze while they passed out the awards and 50 door prizes... Yes 50!! Crazy. We didn't win anything...BUMMER.

Blue Ribbons 2 weeks in a row, makes a Tall Mom Smile :) The woman who beat me was 41, so I took 1st for my age group!! They passed out the Age group certificates ahead of time and then handed out the prizes for the top 3 overall.. We saw Mary, aka #1 Female, on our way to the car and I congratulated her...her time was 20:16...she said she was hoping for a sub 20 but thought it was a tough course with the tight turns, rain and the hill near the finish.

Spotlight on Tall Mom. I won an ADORABLE wood medal, and passes to several local attractions. They gave out Fleet Feet gift cards for $50 as door prizes...I wish the winners would have won that..

• STATS for 5K:

Time- 21:54
Pace- 7:02

(Missed my A Goal by a few seconds)

Age Group- 1/43

Gender- 2/137

Overall Place- 17/223