RRCA 10 Mile Challenge

I was actually really looking forward to this race.  Well, until the cold front and high winds came in a couple days before it.  So spoiled by 50 and 60 degree Winter days this year, but it never seems to fail to be cold on the weekends for our long runs or races.  Oh well, shut up and run, like another wonderful Blogger usually says !!

This was the RRCA 10 Mile Challenge put on by the Howard County Striders Running Club.  They hosted all the running clubs in the Maryland-Washington, D.C. area.  The Frederick Steeplechasers had close to 50 runners in attendance.  So YAY for familiar faces and support.  And out of the Steeplechasers group, we had 4 RMR Ladies :)  Always better with close friends to suffer run along with you.

As the first few miles ticked off, Amy and I were feeling good, chatting along about anything and everything.  Made that fatal weather comment though.  I'll kick myself later!  (Never say "thank goodness the wind died down"!  Damn wind came back in those last miles).

The hill between 6-7 kicked my butt, but I kept trudging  running along.  And as much as I'm not a huge Eminem fan, his song "Till I Collapse" got my pace quicker in those last miles, and I refused to let this "challenging" course get the best of me!!  (Chanting to myself "this isn't Lewis, this isn't Lewis"!!)

Nothing better than Amy and Crystal yelling "it truly is all downhill from here" right at the finish line LOL!   Saw the clock, realized I was going to make my goal time and kicked in the last yards....

So, my 2nd 10 Mile Race in the books with a PR of 1:39:56.    Goal was 1:40:00.  Haha, just made it!!

Awesome "Run Mama Run" Ladies Post-Race

Virtual Run for Sherry Arnold - Feb 11, 2012

Join the world in a Virtual Run for Sherry Arnold!   Prayers for her family!!

Click below for all the details:

Virtual Run Information from Shut Up and Run

Stories like this bring me great pause and heartache!  It's also a good time to think safety when running.

I run alone quite often.  I live in a very nice little town, but could something like this happen here....yes!  And there have been local minor assaults on runners around here!   I thank goodness for running buddies

 RRCA General Running Safety Tips

• Don’t wear headphones. Use your ears to be aware of your surroundings. Your ears may help you avoid dangers your eyes may miss during evening or early morning runs.
• Run against traffic so you can observe approaching automobiles. By facing on-coming traffic, you may be able to react quicker than if it is behind you.
• Look both ways before crossing. Be sure the driver of a car acknowledges your right-of-way before crossing in front of a vehicle. Obey traffic signals.
• Carry identification or write your name, phone number, and blood type on the inside sole of your running shoe. Include any medical information.
• Always stay alert and aware of what’s going on around you. The more aware you are, the less vulnerable you are.
• Carry a cell phone or change for a phone call. Know the locations of public phones along your regular route.
• Trust your intuition about a person or an area. React on your intuition and avoid a person or situation if you’re unsure. If something tells you a situation is not “right”, it isn’t.
• Alter or vary your running route pattern; run in familiar areas if possible. In unfamiliar areas, such as while traveling, contact a local RRCA club or running store. Know where open businesses or stores are located in case of emergency.
• Run with a partner. Run with a dog.
• Write down or leave word of the direction of your run. Tell friends and family of your favorite running routes.
• Avoid unpopulated areas, deserted streets, and overgrown trails. Avoid unlit areas, especially at night. Run clear of parked cars or bushes.
• Ignore verbal harassment and do not verbally harass others. Use discretion in acknowledging strangers. Look directly at others and be observant, but keep your distance and keep moving.
• Wear reflective material if you must run before dawn or after dark. Avoid running on the street when it is dark.
• Practice memorizing license tags or identifying characteristics of strangers.
• Carry a noisemaker. Get training in self-defense.
• When using multi-use trails, follow the rules of the road. If you alter your direction, look over your should before crossing the trail to avoid a potential collision with an oncoming cyclist or passing runner.
• Call police immediately if something happens to you or someone else, or you notice anyone out of the ordinary. It is important to report incidents immediately

John Lewis Memoral 10 Miler

When a Race Flyer has this "Because you love running wicked hills in freezing weather!  (It’s good for you!)", wouldn't you think to find another race ???  Nah, because Crystal and I had done nothing but run races that were all uphill in the snow both ways.....oh no, that's something else.  But seriously, the races we had run since November had been hilly and ending on uphills.  That's JUST NOT NICE!! 

OK.....

Luckily the temperature was around 35 degrees and overcast, so not miserable.

This course starts on an uphill, goes for a few miles of rolling hills, then you get to the last 4 miles.  Not hills, but small mountains.  Oh my aching legs.....

This was a predicted time race, so I predicted finishing it in 1:45:00 given I had run it the weekend before (cursing the whole way).  Crystal and I finished in 1:43:16 & 1:43:18.  For those hills, I will take it!!!  

So, silly me thinks I want to conquer the Lewis course again.  I WILL one day run this whole thing without walking any of those hills/mountains gasping for air ;)  Hill training is good for you, right....right ????  Bueller, Bueller ????

Finishing the Lewis 10 Miler