Flint Ridge 10 Mile

 I ACTUALLY RAN A RACE!

And it felt so good!!!

I love trail running, but I don't think I'm very good at it. I'm too cautious. I've done this race once before and I remember really liking it because it was relatively flat and not all that difficult. However, I don't remember all of the horse poop. Holy horse poop!!! I felt like it was a poop obstacle course. 

They did a staggered start by corral and runner. I was in group 3 out of 6, and I probably should have started in a later corral as I kept getting passed. But I was having a pretty good time and just really appreciated the race support and the weather. It felt really good to race again.

And I did better than I did back in 2015! In 2015, I finished the course in 1:49:27. This year I did it in 1:42:43. I placed 12/15 in my division (F 35-39) so I didn't do all that well.  

COVID-19 2020

Because of COVID-19, most races have been cancelled/postponed. I've done 4 virtual races. 

Tenacious Ten (April 4) - - I was really looking forward to doing this race in Seattle. I was supposed to meet up with a friend and we had a whole weekend planned, but obviously that didn't happen. I ran from home to Tower Grove Park and back home. I ran the 10 miles with a time of 1:34:52 (9:29/mi pace). 

Stay Home Virtual Half Marathon (April 18) - - Vacation Races put on a fun virtual event with the following tagline:

Run where you play have to run because you can't go anywhere else right now.

It was only fitting to start and end this race at home (home - Tower Grove Park - Forest Park - Downtown - home). I accidentally went a little long on this one... 14.19 miles. I finished with a 9:46/mi pace.

SeaWheeze - - Super bummed that we weren't in Vancouver this year for our annual SeaWheeze extravaganza! Oh, I missed it so much! But, I ran both distances: the Half Marathon (August 16) and the 10k (August 20). For the Half, we ran the Katy Trail. The Katy can be a big mind game for me, but I actually felt really good! It's like a never ending tunnel! I finished with a 9:36/mi pace (I ran 13.30) - 2:07:48. 

For the 10k, I ran the Forest Park loop. We actually had a cool August morning, so it was very pleasant! Again, I ran a little long (6.36 miles) with a 9:08/mi pace - 58:09. Even though we weren't in Vancouver, lululemon sent me some Vancouver vibes! This is why I love lululemon, they are awesome.

More Catching Up...

On November 8, 2019, we lost our sweet puppy dog Simon. I didn't feel like doing much, but I just kept on running to try to overcome my sadness. I was registered for the Skippo on November 2, 2019 and obviously I didn't make that. Here are some recaps from the races I did make:

Wizard Run - November 23, 2019
I definitely had to do this Harry Potter themed run. The course was in Forest Park. We got to select our shirt color (I went with Gryffindor, duh) and also got a wand. I ran this 5k with a time of 24:58. I grabbed some Butter Beer (yum) and we got in the car to leave, but I thought there was a good chance I could place. I went back to check my place and actually placed 1st in my division (1/176)!

Webster-Kirkwood Turkey Day Run - November 28, 2019
I did the Double Helping again this year, which includes the 3 mile and the 6 mile races. Weather was good, but no course PR(s) for me. I finished the 3 mile race with a time of 25:23 and the 6 mile race in 54:52. I wish they would show how the Double Helpers place each year...

NHL All-Star 5k - January 25, 2020
I decided to go all out for this race. The course was downtown, a course I know very well. I was trying to go for a PR. I even ran with my friend James to help hold pace. We ran the first mile together in 7:42. I knew a big hill was coming and I wasn't going to be able to hold that pace. I told James to go ahead without me. I got an 8:21 on the second mile and an 8:17 on the third. I finished with a time of 25:00... no PR.

Missouri Lottery Run for your Beads 5k - February 15, 2020
Ah, my most favorite race of the year! My home turf. Weather was perfect. I was nervous at the start because I knew I was going to push it and therefore kill myself. I was hoping for a PR, but same story, no PR. BAH! I finished in 25:02. I placed 2nd in my division (out of 109). Runners who place get a lottery ticket. I won $50 on my ticket! Winning! I love the hurricanes at the finish. Mmm!

Catching up...

Run for the Hills 5k
I received a free entry to run this race. This was my first time doing this race. It was held on September 21, 2019 and it was still a bit warm outside. My favorite thing about this race are the shirts! They have a Blues theme and are super cute. I felt pretty good for the first two miles and the third mile was pretty tough. I pulled back on that third mile, but I'm still happy with my split.

Mile 1: 8:00
Mile 2: 8:24
Mile 3: 8:33

I finished with a time of 25:47 (8:18 pace). I placed 5/32 in my division.

Blue Note 5k
This race was held in Forest Park. I signed up because you could add on super cool Blues goodr sunglasses. Yes, please! I don't think I've ever ran such a large 5k race here in St. Louis before. There was a ton of people (4,000 runners)!! The best part of this race was getting a photo with the Stanley Cup before the start! I was a bit too conservative on the downhill portions... I just didn't care to push it. I just wanted to make sure I ran the uphill segments, which I did! I really liked the medal too... It was the Stanley Cup :). Go Blues!

Mile 1: 8:31
Mile 2: 8:15
Mile 3: 8:23

I finished with a time of 26:32 (8:32 pace). I placed 28/672 in my division. Top 95.8%!

Arches Half Marathon
This race has been on my bucket list for years. You run a segment of UT-128, which is one of the most beautiful scenic roads in America. We started this trip in Santa Fe. I didn't worry about the elevation until I ran 3 little miles in Santa Fe (roughly 7,000 ft above sea level) and felt like death. Then I started to get pretty scared about running 13.1 miles in Moab (4,000 - 6,000 ft). I did some more short runs on the treadmill at our hotel in Santa Fe and it got slightly better, but I had to slow down my pace considerably. Looking back, I'm so happy we started our trip in Santa Fe so I had time to adjust to the altitude. I told myself to take it easy, walk at the water breaks, heck, walk if I needed to.

The day starts super early. We had to be at the shuttle pick up location by 6:30 am. Then they shuttle you up river, drop you off a little after 7 am. Then you wait in the cold until the race starts at 8:30 am. They did have fire pits and hot chocolate. I didn't want to take off my warm clothes and drop my bag until last minute, and then it turned into a rush to get my bag into the van. I made it with not a lot of time to spare!

I loved this race! Especially the first half. It was all pretty much downhill and the scenery was epic! The last half was much more challenging! Super hilly... pretty much in full sun. I'd see a hill in the distance and get a bit worked up, but then I kept reminding myself how amazing it is to be able to run this course and that I was okay. I ran every bitch hill! It may have been a slow climb, but I did it. I ran the entire course, walked the water breaks, and I felt good. When I crossed the finish line I kept coughing, I think because of the altitude. It seems like a lot of other people were doing the same. We finished at a ranch and it was so beautiful. I finished with a time of 02:05:58. I'm super happy with this time! I don't ever expect much on vacation races.