What an amazing weekend.
Colby and I woke up early in the morning on Saturday, and made our way to the starting point of the 10K. It was pretty chilly before the sun came up, probably in the 40s, and we hung onto our jackets until the last possible moment before dropping them off at the sweat shuttle. We wandered around the corrals for about an hour, taking in the crazy costumes (Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, some dudes in Baywatch bathing suits, a portly Batman and Robin, just to name a small sampling!), ogling the anorexic-looking elite runners, and attempting to keep our muscles warm.
About a quarter to eight, we headed to our respective corrals, and waited for the waves to start rolling toward the starting line. This was the first year of wave starts for the race, and it went off beautifully. Each corral started about 3 minutes apart, and as each group started to run, all the others would walk forward. I'd signed up for Corral K since I knew I would be walking for some of the run, but I ended up in Corral J for the start as we filled in during the 30 minutes of walking forward. Since I passed a number of walkers during my run from corrals E through J, I now know that I can sign up for a higher corral next year so I won't be stuck with all of the strollers in Corral K.
Each corral got it's own starting music, and my group took off running to the sounds of the William Tell Overture. Up to the time I started running, I was still cold, but once I was moving, the weather was absolutely perfect. The adrenaline definitely kicked in, much to my surprise, and I even found myself getting the teensiest bit verklempt as I thought about the goal that I was achieving and how far I had come in just a couple of months.
Mile one flew by in what felt like a matter of seconds, and mile two was equally smooth sailing. Then we hit the bridge, and the dreaded incline. I broke for my first couple of minutes of walking about halfway up the bridge, then pushed on, taking in the beautiful views, pausing my iPod to listen to the bands playing along the route, and focusing on maintaining a steady pace.
Before I knew it, I was over the bridge and running down King street in Charleston, smelling the aromas wafting from the amazing restaurants and surrounded by a wall of people cheering us on. The adrenaline kicked back in, and I was amazed at how many people I was passing as we made our way toward Marion Square. Then I saw it: Mile 6. Only 2/10 of a mile left to go! I pumped up my music took a deep breath and picked up the pace with the finish line in sight. I stopped my watch as I crossed under the Finish sign, checked my time and nearly fainted from shock.
Historical Reenactment:
1 hour and 13 minutes.
Two minutes faster than my goal time, which I'd set as a sort of impossible dream, just to keep myself motivated. An eleven minute and 45 second mile--certainly not setting any land speed records, but for me? To average anything under a 12 minute mile for more than six miles and a 4% incline over one of those miles? Incredible.
I am so glad that I pushed my fears and insecurities aside, and signed up for this race. It was hard work, but it was one of the most enjoyable experiences of my life. I am officially hooked on the 10K, though I can say with a fair amount of certainty that I won't be training for a half marathon any time soon! I wasn't the fastest person there, or the strongest, or the best, but I was there. And I finished what I started. And it was an amazing feeling.
And you did it with smile on your face! Awesome, awesome job. Way to go!
Posted by: Pink Herring | April 04, 2011 at 03:47 PM
I'm so proud of you!!
Posted by: Brittany | April 04, 2011 at 03:56 PM
And you're smiliing! I'd have probably been like "No pictures! I'm about to keel over!"
Congrats on being faster than your goal!
Posted by: Thoughts Appear | April 04, 2011 at 04:46 PM
Well, the smile came and went at times, haha!
Posted by: Angela Noelle | April 04, 2011 at 04:48 PM
Love you!
Posted by: Angela Noelle | April 04, 2011 at 04:49 PM
Haha!! Oh man, I forgot to put that the "Finish Line" photo was taken about an hour after I actually finished! Thanks though ;)
Posted by: Angela Noelle | April 04, 2011 at 04:49 PM
Great job!!!
Posted by: Solange | April 04, 2011 at 04:52 PM
YAY! Good work! A bunch of my clients were with you, with strollers, and said it was an awesome race. Madness, but awesome! Next year, I'm totally going, baby in tow if I have to!
Posted by: Brittany | April 04, 2011 at 05:29 PM
Congratulations! I am so excited for you. So amazing to reach a goal!
Posted by: Brittany E. | April 04, 2011 at 06:15 PM
Congratulations!!! I knew you rocked it out. :) That's an awesome feeling, especially because you beat your goal time!
Posted by: Abby | April 04, 2011 at 06:39 PM
Congratulations! Great recap and great work!
Posted by: A Super Girl | April 04, 2011 at 07:18 PM
Whoop whoop! Congrats! SO happy for you!
Posted by: Kendra | April 04, 2011 at 07:41 PM
Woohoo! So awesome, congratulations! Looks like the weather was perfect.
Posted by: Stevie | April 04, 2011 at 11:50 PM
Congratulations! That's a huge accomplishment!
Posted by: Lynndaue | April 05, 2011 at 12:10 AM
Way to go! And might I add? You look so slim... in a very healthy way. Kudos!
Posted by: PomJob | April 05, 2011 at 12:25 AM
woo! congratulations, that is so exciting! and love that it was such a perfect weather kind of day too, awesmoe.
Posted by: katelin | April 05, 2011 at 12:33 AM
i swear i know how to spell and clearly i meant AWESOME. :)
Posted by: katelin | April 05, 2011 at 12:34 AM
You are awesome! Congratulations! I'm so excited for you that you did so well. Love the finish line reenactment, too. :)
Posted by: Jen | April 05, 2011 at 01:44 AM
You are a rock star! So happy for you!
Posted by: sophie | April 05, 2011 at 02:18 AM
Sounds like you ran an awesome race! I love that each corrall had its own starting music and that you had the William Tell overture!
Posted by: garden state prep | April 05, 2011 at 02:28 AM
So proud of you! I remember getting very teary-eyed myself when I ran my big race back in Washington--it's definitely a surreal moment to be in the midst of accomplishing a goal that you've worked so hard at. I'm glad you get to check this one off the list for now, but even more excited that you're willing to repeat the experience at some point in the future. Way to go, Angela!
Posted by: Sarah V | April 05, 2011 at 02:28 AM
CONGRATS! I love the photos and way to go on finishing. Really happy for you!
Posted by: Jessica | April 05, 2011 at 02:38 AM
WOOOOOOO!!!!! Way to go, and excellent choice of color tee--looks great.
Posted by: Kate P | April 05, 2011 at 04:58 AM
That is awesome, congrants and good for you! What's your next race?
Posted by: Melissa | April 05, 2011 at 04:00 PM
I am so proud of you, little girl:) Now you understand those feelings I had when we first walked the Komen race -- those tears represent so much in our lives as we accomplish the things that make us stronger and bring us closer to our life's goals. You are a champion!
Posted by: The Incubator | April 05, 2011 at 04:32 PM
Woohoo! Go you! What a great feeling to accomplish a scary-sounding goal.
Posted by: Charise | April 05, 2011 at 05:35 PM
Congratulations! Great accomplishment. Wish I could come give you a hug next week, but I'll send one to you via my mommy. :)
Posted by: Kendra | April 05, 2011 at 09:20 PM
Congratulations! That's a really great time...especially for someone who planned to walk for some of the run! Great job!
Posted by: ag. | April 05, 2011 at 11:23 PM
Congratulations!! You're AMAZING :)
Posted by: Emily Jane | April 06, 2011 at 12:54 AM
YAYA! You go girl! Congratulations!
Posted by: Chels | April 06, 2011 at 02:04 AM
Girl, I am so excited for you! This is amazing. Congratulations.
Sorry to make it about me ~ but, this gives me such encouragement as I train for my 10K. You're the wind beneath my wings. hehehe
Posted by: Molly | April 06, 2011 at 04:39 AM