Yesterday I raced the Freehold St Paddy's Day 10 miler. Every year I want to do this race but every year I have been in New Mexico training. So finally I got to add it to my schedule as I knew I was going to be around.
This was my first 10 mile race that I have run in probably 5 years so I was really excited to test out my fitness.
I have not done any speed work since last year so this was going to be a real test for me and I was quite nervous.
It was a brisk 38 degrees at race start with a cool breeze but I warmed up pretty quickly. I treated this race as I would a triathlon race and went in nice and rested, so I felt amazing at the start. I ran very comfortably and held back the first mile.
From then on I pushed hard and pretty much ran alone through mile 5. Mile 5 and 6 was a long climb but winter hill work paid off and I did not feel to bad. At mile seven I saw a girl about 400 yards behind me. I said to the guy next to me. It's my Birthday and I am going to win this race so I am going to have to push really hard now.
That is exactly what I did and managed to descend the last mile for a 6.09 mile...with a stop to hug my kids :-)
It was so much fun and it was great to see all my running friends. The atmosphere was great and it felt so good to actually race a running race. Big congrads to all those who raced...Tom One Shot for a nice PR and John P for impressing me with his running speed!
The Overall Result
First Women 6th Overall with a time of 1.02.39 Pace 6.17
Summary Pace per mile
1 00:06:17
2 00:06:08
3 00:06:26 Pulled back as I was worried I went to hard.
4 00:06:19
5 00:06:17 Climb
6 00:06:30 Long climb
7 00:06:15
8 00:06:20 Rolling hills
9 00:06:23 rolling hills
10 00:06:09
It was a great way for me to celebrate my birthday but what was even more special was that I was raced for others too.
I chose to support the fundraising for Japan. www.runforjapan.com
The other was to honor Sally Meyerhoff who was a very talented marathoner and budding triathlon star who was recently hit and killed while riding her bike.
This was such a tragic event and I wanted to do something in her honor. Sally liked to wear pink socks so I wore some pink socks for her.
So while I raced I said a prayer for Sally and told her I was racing for her because I could.
It always feels good to race for something other than yourself
Thank you to BoB Both from the Jersey Shore Running Club for the awesome photos!
Next up Texas 70.3!!!
4 comments:
Congrats on the win and what a great way to celebrate a birthday (Happy belated Birthday)! Love that you locked it up with a 6:09mile and gave your kids a hug in that time! And I'm sure that Sally was there running with you- with matching pink socks. It's always nice to be able to run for something other than yourself.
Good-luck at Texas 70.3!
Great race Jacqui! And Happy Birthday. Always great to WIN a race on your birthday...and run a great time. So cool that you ran for others. Sally was smiling down from above I'm sure.
Great race, a win, a mid-race hug, a birthday celebration and celebrating another amazing athlete. You are a multitasking queen Jacqui!
Happy belated!
Thanks Bre,Chris and Jamie!!!
I'll be honest I don't like getting older...I'm not happy about it at all....but I did have a fun rewarding birthday.
A win always feels good...and running for Sally and for my good friend Basil who passed away from cancer this year is a good reminder to make it all count!!!
Do what you love...have passion!!!
So make each day count..each workout count and each hug meaningful....Life is too short!
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