The Race Is On:
I felt good and strong. There was one lady that stayed close to me and I wondered if she was in my age group. We passed each other off and on. I ran steady most of a race but it seemed she was pushing to get up even with me or pass me. I didn't feel she was a threat because it just looked like she was giving it about all she had throughout the 10k. Keeping a steady pace until the last half mile, played out to my advantage. It was then that she gave out and fell behind.
I had asked Kent to try and get my picture crossing the line since he would be in from his 5k before I got finished. Not having good 5k and 10k times lately, I told him to look for me just under an hour. I felt stronger at the end and was able to kick it up a notch in the last half mile all the way across the Finish Line. My race was great. I crossed the line at 56:27...not too far off my PR, but better than in some time. As a matter of fact, Kent was standing right at the end and when I saw him he was eating and drinking. There was NO sign of a camera anywhere!!! Then...he saw me! I'll have to say that seeing his mouth drop was priceless. He had NO idea I would finish as well as I did. Sooooooooooo...there was no Finish Line pic. The camera was safely kept in his pocket. Oh, well. I still loved the look on his face.
This race had a Santa Chase with 8 year olds and younger. It was so cute. Here is Santa giving instructions.
And, off they go! Click on the photo to get a lively view of the race. I loved all the laughing and giggling.
After getting some refreshments, Kent shared that he was the first overall male racewalker. There was no one in front of him. In most all Pensacola races, they start the racewalkers 1-2 minutes after the runners have taken off. When the awards began, they called out another man's name for the overall. He started with the runners; therefore having over a minute's lead AND with the time that he came in, it was obvious that he ran...it was way too fast!!! I was soooo sad for Kent. He deserved the win. Racewalkers stand a 50/50 chance in actual competing against each other. There are so many people that cheat, it's not funny...and it is HARD to do! He got 1st Place in his age group but it really took the pleasure out of the win. The 'cheater' did not even show up for his award.
I had looked up on the board and saw that I came in second. I looked for the one that came in ahead of me to see her time but there was no one. Then I looked below my name and saw a lady in my age group getting first place. This certainly didn't make sense. I went back and sat down waiting for the awards, then I got to thinking...do they have me listed as male or female?? Yes, this is a legitimate question! With a name like 'Robbie', it can go be a man or woman's name. Several times this club has put me in the male group because they can't distinguish the name from a male or female. It is obvious they do NOT check the box that you mark if you were a male or female. I went back to check and they had me as male!! Once they changed this, I got first place in my age group and the lady that I beat came up to get her award and it was the lady that I ran with off and on during the race; she WAS in my a/g. Boy, am I glad that I had extra energy for a stronger run at the end. She got second.
I got to thinking...hey, it's pretty cool when you can place in the male AND female categories. I'm a happy camper. I really haven't thought of placing in the last few races because I know I have done better and I'm happy with just racing again. I think my attitude has relieved me of what I call 'placing stress'. Now, if only I can get Pensacola Runners to recognize me as a female and not male. Think I'm gonna use my middle name next time. Ann is hard to fly as a male, ha!
Here is a pic of our medals. They were kinda small but still had Jingle Bell on them. Mine is the green ribboned one.
We leave you with one thought. No matter how healthy/unhealthy, overweight/underweight or how young/old you are, set your goals. Then you must
Run 4 It
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