Part One is Here.
Saturday morning I woke up at 5am. We had preferred parking passes which got us close to the start, the shuttle over was only about a 10 minute ride.
We were dropped off and I immediately got in the restroom line. I think I spent about 20 minutes in that line. Womens race series=super long potty lines. After taking care of business I started tracking down my running buddies.
After a few rounds of pictures it was time to line up at the start.
I had decided to hang with the 2:10 pacers. I knew it was going to be a very challenging course, and figured 2:10 would be pretty easy to swing, even with the monster hills. I chatted up the pacer and she said she would be gaining on the uphill and recovering on the downs.
My lovely training partners were beside me and off we went. The start was rough, the first two miles are uphill. I had counted on this being a good thing, figuring it would keep me from going out too fast. After about a half a mile or so I decided I wanted to push it and stay AHEAD of the 2:10 pacers. So I left the group (something I came to regret) and pushed my way up those hills.
I like hills. Yes they're tough, but you just feel so darn accomplished when you get up them. Then you have the exhiliration of the downhill. One of the ladies pushed forward to join me and we cruised along in front of the group for the first four miles.
Between mile 4 and 5 there was an insane hill. Like wow. People were already walking up it, but we dug in and pushed to the top. I got sick to my stomach from the effort (or the on course drink I wasn't used to). Anyway, we blew down the hill, knee caps hanging on for dear life.
Up another hill and left turn there was an aide station. I took a moment to puke as my partner went on. Around a curve and I spotted my husband and Dash. I was very happy to see them.
Before the race I had told Charles "Don't let him run out after me. I have a hard time running away from him". Yes, I'm a super sensitive mom, but it's so hard from me to run AWAY from my son when he wants me. Of course he still ran out on the course and I had to shuffle him back to the side.
And then I was off again.
My legs were already complaining from the hills so I decided to go back to the original plan of being conservative.I knew going into the race I was undertrained, especially on hills. The 2:10 pacers passed me, and I spent some time beating myself up over it.
Somewhere along the course a photog took this pic. Aparently I am either trying to fly, or am acknowledging my fans."Hello, Hi, thanks for coming out to support me". Yeah, I really don't know what that was all about, but hey, I was smiling, kind of. :)
The next few miles were out an out and back. I got to see some of my ladies both coming and going. Being able to cheer others on helped get me up another crazy hill. (where I puked again)
One of my friends joined back up with me. The course looped back near the start/finish area and I saw Charles and Dash again. I switched out my handheld and continued on.
The final 5k was in the golf course. It was easily the flattest part of the course which should've made it easy. But I'll be honest. That last 5k killed me. The course was winding back and forth, there were runners as far as I could see, but we were contained in this golf course, I couldn't see the way out and while my Garmin was telling me I only had 5k to go, my mind was telling me it was much longer.
I'm not going to sugar coat it: I lost my fight in those last 5k. I lost the glimpse of the 2:10 pacer and I shrugged and said, "who cares at this point, I just want to finish". Sure I was tired, but it wasn't physical. Mentally, I wasn't race ready so I let it go and kind of slogged my way to the finish.
Sure I regret giving up at the end. It was silly. BUT, I'm not going to beat myself up too much over it. Live and learn.
As I came up to the finish I kept my eyes open for my family. Out of the crowd came a little blur, I looked down and it was Dash. He reached up and grabbed my hand and we ran it home.
His little legs were FLYING! When we crossed the finish I of course wanted to stop, but he wanted to keep running, "Lets run Mommy, I have LOTS of energy". It was so cute, and the perfect end to the race. Finish time 2:21 and change.
After crossing the finish line it was time to celebrate with friends. I am SO proud of my ZOOMA Austin Meetup training group. They all met or exceeded their goals. I am so blessed to have met them, and look forward to many more Saturday runs as we take on our next challenge.
Thanks to RunningSkirts.com for the amazing Sparkle Hearts skirt to run in. The built in compression capri's kept my IT Bands happy. I got so many questions and compliments on it that I think I need to start carrying around their business cards to hand out. :) Have you seen their new line? Check it out at RunningSkirts.com and be sure to use promo code: "endurance" to get 15% off regular merchandise.
Instead of metals, ZOOMA gives finishers necklaces. This years necklace is the letter "Z" with the words "Run. Celebrate. Laugh" on the front and 2011 on the back.
The Hyatt Lost Pines is the host for the race, it was a gorgeous setting for an after party. We enjoyed wine, massages and then got to kick back on the grassy banks of the Colorado River and listen to live music.
I LOVED this race. The course was challenging, but GORGEOUS. The atmosphere of celebration and joy was contagious. ZOOMA does an amazing job of supporting women runners. Check out ZOOMArun.com for a race near you.
On behalf of the ZOOMA Austin Ambassadors, I'd like to say: Congratulations to all the ZOOMA Austin finishers. See you next year!
