4 Miler from La Jolla to Pacific Beach- This should be fun!

So I will start off by saying I was so nervous to do this race.  Had I let my foot heal enough even though it was not as bad as first thought.  Would it start hurting during the race and would I be able to finish.  So I made sure I did everything right before the race.  Carb dinner night before and sister joined me and I really had a nice time catching up with her.  I have done this race before in 2013 with my sister Debi and I was around 180 lbs and it took me over an hour to finish.  No matter what she always sticks with me in the races.

So I made sure I did stretches the night before and laid out my running clothes and everything else I was going to need.  If I don’t do that the night before I always and I mean always forget something.

The next morning I had my traditional peanut butter sandwich.  This is the only time I allow myself real peanut butter and it always works by giving me fuel for the run.

So out of the house with plenty of time to get to race and find parking, which I have to say was plentiful. Made sure I had sunscreen, I ever forget as my niece Keli has crammed into my brain, sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen!

As I am walking around a group of ladies notice my shirt and asked me if I know John Hulsey, Runner 12 from the Documentary From Fat To Finish Line Documentary.  I was happy to say yes and we chatted a bit about their adventures driving to a Ragnar with John.  Its funny the more weight I have lost the more confidence I have gained to chat with strangers that become fellow runners and sometimes become friends.

The plan for the race is to take it easy, I planned on at least running the first mile and was not sure what I was doing after that.  So, I’m off and I feel real good running the first part.  As I approach the 2nd mile I am still feeling great so I keep running.  I was keeping about a 10.45 min pace and I was happy with that.  I did get to mile 3 and decide this is my first race since my foot injury and I don’t want to injure it again.  So at mile three I take a few breaks I kept my pace to about 11:30 and interval ran the next mile.  But when I got to mile 4, I ran and did not stop until I got to the finish line.  I was hoping to be under 45 mins but was just at 45:04 with an average pace if 11:16, still I was thrilled!!!

533 TERI BROWN 688 54 26/56 F 00:45:04 11:16

This is one of the fun races where you get a beer after the race, but this one you get a choice of some amazing beers at Backyard Kitchen and Tap.  If you have not been here yet it is a must visit for lunch or dinner oh so yummy.  I got a coveted seat at the bar and let me tell you this place was packed.  I got a nice pilsner and being that at this point I was starved I got a bowl of fresh fruit and a side of bacon.  Yes bacon, because after you run your butt off you need protein and what is the best tasting protein, yep bacon.    Runners are the nicest people, I just have to say that.   On one side of me was two sisters that had done the run together and were so sweet. I was missing the doing these things with my sister Debi.  Then on the other side a amazing lady about my age that has done this race for many years and through all the different names it has had.  I loved learning the history of this race.

So race is done and grabbed the bus back to the start line where my car is.  I find that I am sitting next to a gentleman that placed 2nd in his age group which, he was my age and by the way did the run in 27 minutes.  27 MINUTES!!!! He gave me some tips and one was to try and do negative splits, so as a new runner I had to ask him what that was.  I found that it means you start out slow and make each split faster than the last.  I love the fact that runners love to share what they know.

Back to my car and I decide to go and walk the shores of La Jolla because well they support these races and we need to take the time to visit these amazing cities.

So race #21 is done and I am now looking for my next race.. stay tuned.