All I need is a track in the background

One month past the marathon meant that it was time to race again! My friend Bobbi invited a group of friends (Lori, Jenn, Emma and I) to run the Go for the Gold 10K. Being environmentally and race conscious, we carpooled to the race site and parked by I-35 at one of the recommended parking spaces. As we walked towards the race site (passing a rooster one block from 35!), we realized we could have parked much, much closer. I saw the back of Jenn's shorts and laughed my head off. She had her long-distance shorts on with an energy gel in each pocket, for a total of 3!! I only laughed enough to show I was amused. Since I woke up hungry and hadn't eaten breakfast, so those gels were looking particularly yummy.

The race start and finish was at the lovely Plaza Saltillo in east Austin (5th and Comal). From the number of runners walking around, I could tell it would be a smaller race. (Easy to do when my last race was Motorola!) Visiting the portapotties, there was no line. I had my choice!! Even though they had a record of my chip number, there was a chip for my bib, so I doubled-up.

It's neat how even at a small race, I recognized Timothy, Lillie, dmit and triathlete Phil. Looking around at the other athletes, I realized there were a lot of good runners present. Jenn and I joked about getting left in the dust. As we lined up and took off, I realized it was me who was going to be left in the dust as Jenn raced off to catch the front runners. Jenn and I had said earlier that we didn't know how to run a 10K, but wow she really set the pace fast and early!!

We ran around a few blocks and then up a hill, and up another hill. I didn't warm up, so I was breathing hard and my hill running voice was still back in bed. Jenn was thankful for that. She mentioned how she wanted to kill me at mile 23 when I was yelling all the way up the hill. Our pace had me running so hard, I didn't have the energy to thank the police, like some other runners around us.

At the first water stop, I tried grabbing a cup and ended up spilling it all before I got a hold of it. Since there was only one cup on that side of the road, that was my last chance for water. At the second water stop, Jenn and I decided to hit the CAFFEINATED Strawberry ClifShot. Thankfully Jenn is a forgiving friend and let me have my own gel, too.

We heard a train and ran over some railroad tracks. Jenn wondered if it would stop anyone. I mentioned how the last two marathons in Portland have had train crossings! We found out later that some of the faster and slower people did get stopped briefly. We sure timed it right! Perhaps that's why east Austin is not popular for race courses.

Passing a large line of people lining up for a Baptist church, we waved as they cheered for us. Along the course, there were a few residents sitting in their yard cheering. I was sure to thank them! By this time, I was able to again breathe, talk and thank the police. We caught up to an older runner who was just cruising up another hill. I was so impressed, I told him how I wanted to be that fast someday. It may have sounded strange to say that to someone we were passing up, but his age-adjusted pace was definitely quicker than ours.

Jenn and I were amazed at our fast split-times up to the half-way point, and we kept wondering how long we could keep it up. Each mile marker seemed to arrive faster than we expected. Also unexpected was seeing a familiar looking figure with a bike a few blocks ahead. It was Jay! I gave him a big hug (which lasted 36 seconds -- obviously, as there was no other explanation for the longer split time that mile!) My WWJD bracelet also provided some inspiration. "What would Jay do? He'd run FAST!"

Eventually, the race pace started rearing its ugly effects. I felt some fascinating upper and lower abdominal cramping. I knew slowing down wouldn't help. We just kept running. Going up a hill in the last mile (I love hills. and I made sure everyone around me knew it!), Jenn told me to run ahead and beat her. So (for the first time ever) I ran ahead to beat her to the finish line.

Evil was there to call out my name and Kreutz Photography captured the moment as I finished in 55:02 (by my watch, official results not posted yet). I saw triathlete Phil who asked me what I thought of the race course. My smartass response was "I wouldn't have minded another 30K or so." Being the first in my group to finish gave me the honor of cheering everyone else during their finish. Jenn came in not to far behind me, and Lori was suprisingly fast (this was the first time I saw her racing), then came Emma, and at last we saw Bobbi! Poor Bobbi was slowed by a train crossing. We were all there to cheer for Lillie as she crossed the line, and wow does she have a lot of fans!! The post-race food was nice, and I tried Propel for the first time ever. It was suprisingly good, so I may have to drink more of it in the future. For the last three major events I've done, at least one person from the RunTex boards has recognized me as Comet, and introduced themselves. Today I met BobJ!

My split times:

Mile 1 8:46
Mile 2 8:42
Mile 3 8:40
Mile 4 9:16
Mile 5 9:09
Mile 6 8:38
Mile 6.2 1:49
Final time: 55:02

Average pace 8:51 (Sub 9 minute miles??? No way!!)
Avg HR: 176
Max HR: 194 (doubtful, I think it's 191)
Last full 30 seconds: Avg HR was 189. Goodness what a finish!

For me, this was a triple PR!

• Beat Jenn's E&A to the finish line!
  
• Fastest 10K in 55:02 (Previously 1:04:44 @ BMC Downtown Classic 2001),
  
• Fastest race ever at 8:51 pace (Previously 9:34 pace @ RunTex 30K in Buda 2003)

Woah. The official results are up and I finished fourth in my age group! I was the second Julia and second from Austin. (I think all the hard-core runners are still at home resting.)

Name            Age    Chip Time    Gun Time   Difference  Gun Time Pace
Julia Weatherby  26    55:02.30     55:12.50   00:10.20     8:53/M

Age-Group Place: 4 out of 18 (22%!!!!!)
Overall Place: 108 out of 205

Not bad considering not enough carbs, nutrition, water or sleep (thank you doggies) the day before. Fortunately the shin muscle in my left leg that had given me trouble my last two runs didn't bother me once thanks to a massage yesterday and running in my newer shoes. Now that I've done a fast 10K, I can feel free to goof off at Cap10K!