*RECAP* Gone For A Run's Run With Me Virtual 5k
/What else would I do on the morning of International travel than knock out a little 5k?
Well the perk of a virtual race is being able to complete it wherever and whenever you want!
So instead of worrying about driving, parking, completing a race and getting home in time for my flight... I was able to wake up early and knock out the Gone For A Run's Run With Me Virtual 5k in my own neighborhood.
I really needed this as I had to defer my triathlon entry for this morning due to the very reasons listed above. :( Thank goodness the race director is understanding and let me do that. I hate missing the Cohasset Tri - the course is wicked beautiful.
Since I was up before 6am this morning, I was able to lace up my sneakers, pop on my Sparkle Athletic skirt and hit the path.
I set my intentions for the run... FUN!
Can you tell I was trying to be artsy? Can you also read that it really did say "Fun Run" at the start of my virtual race?
I did a quick stretch, sang the National Anthem to myself and checked out the competition.
Sweet! I was the only one that opted to run the race at this time which meant I was guaranteed to place! :)
3... 2... 1... GO!!!
And I was off.
I have been having some pain in my left hip and right Achilles because you know. Once I fixed one injury another had to pop up. UGH!
So I was really letting the Achilles set the tone of the run. If I needed to walk or slow it down, I was allowing myself to do that.
I'm wicked lucky to have such an amazing running path just outside my door. It's a joy to have tiny pieces of nature as we are surrounded by highways and city life.
There wasn't a Mile 1 marker, but I made sure to celebrate anyway.
Mile 1: 8:15
I'm still getting used to the new shorter hair, but let me tell you how freeing it was to not have to stop multiple times during Mile 1 to fix my ponytail. The less fuss on a run the better in my opinion.
I was enjoying my Wait Wait Don't Tell Me podcast and taking in the sunny weather.
Oh it looks like someone got a little love on the course.
Some day I am going to come out before a run and leave myself some race love. I have to up my virtual run game even higher.
Mile 2 was chugging along until I was hit with a detour.
This was NOT on the course map. ;) I kid I kid. Luckily I go with the flow so I just took my course to the grass. Who doesn't love a little off-roading mid-race? Well usually me. :P
Now I usually say a LOT of a certain F word during runs/races, but today was all FUN!
I was wondering why I was the only person on the path so early in the morning then I stumbled up on this sign.
OOPS! Well now it all makes sense. That's what I get when I run the opposite direction on the path? Is that a thing? Shouldn't they really have these on both entrances to this stretch of the path?
Mile 2: 7:51
With some anxiety starting to surface over my trip to Amsterdam for work, I focused my energy during the final mile on the positives of the trip and how amazing it is going to be. I was all packed, I had triple checked my packing list and I could always buy something I forgot there.
Of course running past the Mystic River was offering it's own calming effect.
Do you think anyone would let me borrow one of their boats? ;)
I decided before the run I'd be ending at Dunkin Donuts to pick up coffees for the wife and I so you know I tried to pick up the pace at the end.
While I thought I was flying I ended up posting the same pace during Mile 3 as I did at Mile 2.
Mile 3: 7:51
It still amazes me that I've come so far from the days of 12-13-14 min/mile paces to being able to break out a sub 7 min/mile.
And technically Mile 3 was a HAIR faster than Mile 2! Just sayin'... :P
FINAL TIME: 24:44
As you can see, I wasn't able to bring either pup with me, but that didn't stop her from swiping my bling!
I mean she pulls it off. Doesn't she?
Overall it was another great Gone For A Run virtual race. Swag (t-shirt, bib, medal) all arrived in plenty of time before the June 22-26 race window. BUT there are still race spots available if you haven't registered yet.
REGISTER HERE
Disclaimer: I did receive comped entry to the race for being a part of the Gone For A Run Virtual Run Team, but all thoughts are my own. Ain't nobody got time for lyin'!
