I ran this race with my niece, Ginette in 2011 and we wanted to make an annual thing, but last year I was injured and she ran the half. This year we decided on the 10K and thought we'd upgrade if we were feeling frisky. We weren't feeling frisky. So the 10K it stayed.
Race morning I got up showered had a banana, grabbed a Dunkin for Chris and myself. He drove to Plymouth, which is an hour plus drive. We got there early so I had another banana and downed a 32 oz water bottle. I looked around for my niece. I told Chris "I don't know, I feel like I haven't run in a year." I was really working myself up. By the time I found Ginette her Dad had left for the finish line. We chatted for a bit, and I had to pee really bad so I got in line for the port-a-potty. She came looking for me looking very worried. LOL We lined up. After the week we both felt we were pretty much doomed!! She told me not to wait for her, because her running had be awful too, and just run my own pace. So I agreed. And told her the same.
We lined up in the very back. The first mile is a lot of little rolling hills, that I had forgotten about, and one big hill right about mile one. After about a half mile I was feeling good, weaving in and out, but had to keep reminding myself of the big one coming up, so I held back. I turned the corner and saw the hill and thought "oh crap I don't remember it being so high." About half way up my legs were burning and I kept warning to walk but I was determined to make the hill. And wool!! I did. After that I felt like I had it. I felt really good.
I stopped at every water stop. They have one every mile or there about. I carried a GU with me. I had never tried doing this in a race, but I thought this was doomed anyway, why not. At mile 3 my watch said 27:40. I was feeling pretty good about finishing in an hour. At mile 4 I took the GU and two cups of water (only filled 1/2 way). I had a lull in my running after taking it, but found my rhythm again about a 1/2 mile later. It was a beautiful day for a run. I saw a guy running in these stiff, kind of like women's dress sandals. I was so amazed watching his foot strike and observing him. The water was beautiful. Mile 5 seemed to disappear. So I didn't check my time and couldn't gauge where I was. Then I saw the finish line.
When I saw 57:40 minutes on the clock. I kicked it into high gear. It was funny a lot of people started yelling and cheering when I did that. I remember this one guy "say YEAH that's the way to kick it. GO, GO, Go!!!" Made me laugh, so I'm sure I probably have a funny look on my finishing photo. I was flying after finishing in under an hour. 58:14 chip time. I felt awesome!!! I haven't broken an hour in a 10K in probably 10 years. Felt really good to have everything just turn around like that. The temp was perfect around 60 but warmed up quickly, but still not too bad. I think it was 74 at the finish. I was running along saying 'thank you' to all the volunteers and police and felt really good, even though NONE of the cops acknowledged me at all. Except the one at the finish chute.
I looked for the guy with the sandals, but there were too many people. I wanted to talk to him about that. I understand, sort of the barefoot running thing, but sandals I was really interested in hearing about.
My niece's Dad came up to my and said "what'd you do with my daughter" I said she told me to keep running...he replies "so you just left her in the dust" and we laughed. She actually did well too finishing in 1:04. I always have a great time running with Ginette, both times I've run this I've had a good time. So enjoyable running with family.
Went back to her Dad's place on the water walked on the beach, collected some rocks, and put my feet in the cold New England water and headed home. It was a really fantastic day!! Even though my Dad never watched me run a race I felt like he was there watching me from where ever he is.
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| Beach at Plymouth |
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| Run to the Rock 10K |
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| Chris picking up rocks |
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