Summer’s Last Hurrah

Hey everybody!

I wanted to report about the weekend’s race and let you know our final plans for summer.

Saturday’s race was a great one. (Yes, my husband and I match.  That was a funny accident, but GO team Allred).

I had rested the two days prior, and as soon as we started out, I felt good.  That’s always a welcome relief.

I placed myself well from the beginning.  I’m a horrible starter.  I don’t feel loose and into my rhythm until mile 3 or so. I stuck myself in the middle…ahead of the walkers but behind the amazing runners. There was a little shuffling to deal with, but not much.  The miles started ticking away, and I felt I was getting the right balance of pushing where I could but reserving for the final haul. The last 3 1/2 miles are the meanest.  Your quads are shot and it’s a steep drop to the finish, a gorgeous mountain lake.  You feel like your legs will give out under you.

The only snaffoo was at the third aid station, when I didn’t get my Camelback’s lid fastened correctly.  As I headed out again, I felt cold liquid gushing down my back, and I had to stop again and secure it.  This little incident made me panic a little, because I needed to be at the top of “Balls”, a giant switchback, at 3 hours.  Because of the water delay, I was at the bottom of Balls at the 3:00 mark.  A bit of frustration set in, because my overall goal was to break 3 hours 45 minutes.  Resigning myself to still breaking a previous PR (4:03), I pushed the negative thoughts out and slowly climbed.  By this time, it was 10:30ish and the sun was so hot!  I am used to running in the cool mornings, and it felt like some kind of punishment.

Luckily, because of the trail running I had done this season, I felt an incredible surge/recovery of my muscles when I hit the top of Balls.  Grateful and filled with renewed hope for that 3:45 mark, I bolted off.  The trail was dusty and loose underfoot, but I managed to stay up.  When I finally saw the finish line, my Garmin was already showing 3:45 and I was parched.  I had sucked every last drop of my leftover water a few miles back.  Grandma brought my kids to watch the race, and I saw two sweet little girls holding hands and shouting for Mommy.  I dug deep and ran as hard as I could to the finish.  After a few minutes of recovery, I asked about my time.

3:44:57.

I had to celebrate.  I had actually made it, albeit by 3 seconds.

It was time to soak my legs in the ice-cold mountain lake, eat a burger, and enjoy a huckleberry soda.  Final results put me in 12th place in the women’s division of this year’s El Vaquero Loco 25K. I must be demented, because I’m already scheming up ways to improve for next year.  Can I work myself into the top ten? Should I start running steep trail, hill intervals?

This race is always bittersweet.  It means I have accomplished a goal, gotten in shape, and enjoyed some great time outdoors.

It also means the end of summer.

This last push toward the school year is going to be insane.  We’re fitting in the last of swimming lessons, ordering supplies, shopping for clothes, fitting in family/friend events, working, and this week is the final preparation for Interior Design Master Class.  Needless to say, I’ve decided to take this week off from the blog.  The alarm will be going off at 5 each morning, and I’m even taking a week off from running.  It’s down-to-the-wire business time, and I’m going to use this time to not only prep for Master Class and the beginning of the school year, but to compile new content for you.  Content on this blog that will be helpful, positive, and fun.

So until next Monday, I’ll be seeing you.

What are your final plans for summer?