Town and Country 5K

This race is in my hometown so I don't like to miss it. Last year when I ran it, I was still in the 30's age category. Not this year!!!

The day started out rotten. I had tapered for a couple of days so I would have more energy. I guess staying out until 2 a.m. isn't a good thing when one has to wake up at 6 a.m. in time to get dressed and drive to the race. I was BEAT!

I had so many striked against me. Not enough sleep for one. Had I not already signed up and paid I would have hit the alarm off and gone back to bed. This.....the reason why I DO sign up in advance.

Secondly, it was going to be one hot race!! I just knew it. Thankfully, I had some friends running it too, one who was out just as late. Although she beat me by 30 seconds. Heck, she's 26! What did I expect?

Anyway, the race was supposed to start at 8 a.m. but there were so many people registering late, we didn't start until 8:15. I decided this was a race warm enough to wear the bare minimum......running bra and shorts.

I think I started out too fast but I wasn't sure because I had forgotten my GPS and there were no mile markers. But hey....there was an unmanned water station halfway. One big water jug with cups sitting by the side of the road.

By the time I had gotten up the long gradual hill and gone onto the limestone running path with high humidity and no air....UGGGHH....GASP! I felt sorry for my friend who alREADY had breathing issues. The air was so "close", by the time I got out and started running on the road again, my breathing was totally off. You know what that means.....SIDE STITCH FROM HELL!!!

I carried that damn side stitch for the rest of the race damn it! I couldn't shake it. Damned if I was going to slow down.....no way...no how!!!

With about 400 meters to go I was closing in on a member of a new running club I subscribed to. They weren't sure who to cheer for. Actually, as I passed him, they started yelling to him to watch my fast feet turnover(woohoo...didn't know that was possible)and to match it. Well, needless to say, I showed NO mercy. I continued on and finished ahead of him.

I cross the finish line and my mind is saying, "Breathe, not puke! Breathe, not puke!" I was nauseous and gagging, but thankfully, I didn't puke. But someone please tell me why in the hell do they make us tear our own tag off our bib? Do they even know how much effort that takes to lift one hand and RIIIPPPP? So here this girl is chasing me down and trying to be nice and asking for my tag. I was nice enough to stop and let her take it off.....hehe!

Found out the route was 100 yds. too long. Has been for years. No WONDER my time has always been about 30 seconds slower here. Of course, my finishing time was 24:53, and taking 30 seconds off was not going to even get me close to last years time. Not my worst time though and considering my odds, I was happy with it. Besides I got first place in the 40-49 yr. old women. Fourth woman overall. Not bad considering they were all younger than me. Damn, where are those races with grand masters?

Now on to this Friday's Raging Road Rally 5K. It's a 6:45 p.m. race so it's always nice and humid for this one. Did I mention one big hill and one LOOOONGGGGG seemingly neverending hill? Grrrr!

I have GOT to get myself a new HR monitor. I'd love to see what my HR is on some of these races where I'm just about puking.