Founders’ Day 10K

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NOW THAT’S WHAT I CALL A "RACE"!

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Not only I did reach my goal of 56 minutes, I SURPASSED IT!!

 

My official time was 52 minutes, 58 seconds!  What an amazing feeling! Plus, Meghann smoked her goal time, too ("under an hour") and came in a mere one minute after me!

 

I truly cannot believe I paced 8:30-minute miles for 6.2 miles.  I always thought I’d be a 10-minute mile runner.  Before today, my Personal Record (PR) for a 10K was 1 hr, 1 minute in a road race (June 2006) and 1 hr, 1 minute in a trail race (August 2008). It just goes to show that TRAINING PROGAMS WORK! (Here the Original program and the Modified program.)

 

In addition to my training, there were several factors that made this race SO perfect:

 

  • It was about 60 degrees outside – not hot or humid AT ALL!
  • I was in a really good mood. 🙂
  • The course was in beautiful, picture-perfect Celebration, Florida.
  • I never, ever let doubt creep into my mind ONCE during the race.  I approached the race KNOWING I would make my goal.

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Race Recap

 

I woke up at 5:15, jumped into the shower (to help myself wake up), and got dressed in my gear.  My mom got up early, too (she’s driving home today) and we had breakfast together. 

 

I had oatmeal, coffee, and a big glass of water.  My oatmeal included:

 

  • 1/2 cup dry oatmeal
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 sliced banana
  • Toppings: brown sugar and granola

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      I kissed my mom goodbye and drove 15 miles to Celebration.

       

      I ran into Meghann in the parking lot and we walked over to the registration tent.  We got our shirts, numbers, and laced our Championship Chips to our sneakers.

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      Then we met up with a reader, Mary Jo!  Meghann has a cute photo of the three of us.  It was Mary Jo’s first 10K (she’s done some triathlons before)! Mary Jo, we looked for you at the finish line, but we couldn’t find you! I hope you did AWESOME!

       

      At the starting line, you have to group yourself by your anticipated pace.  I lined up with the 9-minute milers. 

       

      Once the gun went off, I TOOK OFF!  I totally got into the zone — no chatting with Meghann for the first few miles like our last 15K! :)  I focused on warming up my hands and my feet for the first mile (it was cold by Florida standards!).

       

      I hit the Mile 1 mark at 8:15 (chip time).  I was pretty impressed, but also very surprised, because the fastest mile I’ve ever run was about 8:15…. on a treadmill…. and I only ran the 1 mile to see how fast I could go.  But, I felt good, my heart rate seemed normal, and I didn’t feel like I was pushing myself TOO hard.  But trust me, I definitely was WORKING IT!

       

      I passed Mile 2 at 17:00.  A water station immediately followed the 2-mile marker, so I grabbed a cup and kept running.  I normally walk through water stations because I find it incredibly hard to drink + run, but I figured I needed to go "balls to the wall!"

       

      After Mile 2, I started to repeat my mantra.  I KNEW if I let myself doubt my pace for one second, I would slow down and/or freak out.  I repeated "No Doubt! No Doubt! No Doubt!" over and over again.  It give me something else to focus on, and it REALLY helped me maintain my pace.  Running is all mental!

       

      I hit Mile 4 at 34:00.  I was ELATED, but didn’t let myself get distracted.  No Doubt! No Doubt! No Doubt!  I choose to walk through the second water station. 

       

      At Mile 5, I intentionally slowed to a 9-minute or 9:30-minute mile pace.  Although I wasn’t doubting myself, I wanted to finish strong. 

       

      Once I saw the Mile 6 marker, I definitely picked up the pace and PUSHED it to the finish line!  I’m sure the professional race photographer at the end got a race photo of me, because I crossed the line with my arms raised high, tears in my eyes, and whoopin’ in joy!  I COULDN’T BELIEVE THE CLOCK SAID 52:58!!!

       

      I waited for Meghann to finish and much to my surprised, she was only a minute behind me! I was so impressed with her time because she guessed she would come in around 1 hour!  WAY TO GO, MEGHANN!

       

      I grabbed a banana from the post-race food table….

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              And then we visited some booth to grab some free goodies and watched the awards get handed out.l

               

              Lunch

               

              I came home, showered, and relaxed while my VERY early lunch cooked. 

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              I had about 2/3 cup pinto beans over 1/2 cup (dry) Kashi Pilaf.

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              And some salt-and-pepper roasted Brussel Sprouts on the side!

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              Time to veg on the couch for a little bit, and then I’ve got to get down to business – our holistic supplement website launches on TUESDAY!!

               

              "If someone hands you rocks, make a bridge, not a wall!"

              { 55 comments }

               

              • ashley (sweet and natural) November 9, 2008, 9:18 am

                CONGRATULATIONS!! Amazing job Caitlin! How wonderful that you smoked your goal time. Imagine what you’ll do in your next race!

                You’ve totally inspired me to go for a run today. Off to put my sneaks on!

              • Tina November 9, 2008, 9:20 am

                Congrats on your race! So awesome! 🙂

              • hk November 9, 2008, 9:21 am

                SO AWESOME!! you should feel unstoppable! 🙂 that’s great!

              • VeggieGirl November 9, 2008, 9:22 am

                OH MY GOODNESS GRACIOUS!!!!!! Amaaaaazing race results, Caitlin – you continue to inspire me!!

                So exciting that your site will launch soon!!

                Great quote!!

              • Laura November 9, 2008, 9:27 am

                WOW! You did an amazing job! 🙂

              • *Andrea* November 9, 2008, 9:27 am

                CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                your time is absolutely amazing! you should be sooooo soooooo proud of yourself.

              • amy. November 9, 2008, 9:32 am

                Congrats! Amazing! Yay! I mentioned you on my post this morning 🙂

              • teacherwoman November 9, 2008, 9:34 am

                Congratulations are smokin’ your PR! WAHOO! Sounds like a good race!!!

                Enjoy the rest of your sunday!

              • Oh She Glows November 9, 2008, 9:38 am

                Congrats!! 😀

                I knew you would surpass your goal! You rock!!!

              • Justine November 9, 2008, 9:40 am

                Wow, you really beat your previous PR! AND your goal time for this race! Congrats on your fantastic times! Even with your modified plan you still smoked your goal! Awesome job!

              • Erica November 9, 2008, 9:42 am

                CONGRATS! So exciting! You have accomplished so much already today! Enjoy the rest of it!!

              • ttfn300 November 9, 2008, 9:42 am

                smokin!! congrats on an awesome race 🙂

              • Halie November 9, 2008, 9:45 am

                Amazing!!! You are so inspiring!!!! What a great way to spend a weekend! Bridal shower and wedding activities and then a 10K, what fun!

                You did and amazing job, and I love reading your total experience and thought process throughout the 10K, and how you are able to keep yourself going. I’m going to have to practice that.

              • Meg November 9, 2008, 9:45 am

                Awesome job!!!

                Love your lunch!

                Good luck with all the business launch stuff!!

              • Sharney November 9, 2008, 9:55 am

                Yay, Cairlin!!!! I KNEW you would do it! What a totally AMAZING time!! You should be soooooooo proud of yourself!! What an inspiration you are to me! You are SO fast!! I feel frustrated because I really don't think I will EVER be that quick 🙁

                So, mega CONGRATS!!!!!! You're AMAZING & you kicked some serious butt!!! Relax & enjoy today- you deserve it 🙂

              • kirsten November 9, 2008, 10:10 am

                wow congratulations !! that is such a amazing time !! Also your bridal shower looked like such fun 🙂

              • jenngirl November 9, 2008, 10:13 am

                Tag you’re it!! Check my blog 🙂

              • Leah November 9, 2008, 10:19 am

                WAY TO GO!! That is GREAT! 🙂

              • therunningaddict November 9, 2008, 10:31 am

                WAY TO GO, CAITLIN! I was waiting to see this post and am SO happy to hear your broke your PR like that!
                Enjoy the rest of your Sunday!

              • wholefoodswholeme November 9, 2008, 10:56 am

                HUGE CONGRATS CAITLIN!!! you and meghann are both incredible, such inspirations and simply amazing excitement for the blogging world 😀 sensational!!

              • D10 November 9, 2008, 11:14 am

                Congratulations on the PR! You crushed your goal time. You are no longer a 10 mm runner. Well done.

                Can’t wait to see the site.

              • Tami November 9, 2008, 11:19 am

                great job!

              • Meghann November 9, 2008, 11:30 am

                We rocked!

                I just checked the stats online and it said I averaged a 8:46 mile! Hell Yeah!! Who would have ever thought I would have paced at that 🙂

                THanks for encouraging me to go balls to the wall. I would not have been able to do it with out you 🙂

              • mary-jo November 9, 2008, 11:30 am

                WOW! You guys did so well. Congratulations! It *was* a perfect racing morning.

                It was great meeting you and Meghann this morning. You guys are so sweet and friendly. Sorry I missed you after the race. My time was 55:52, which I am very pleased with. My last few miles were particularly great ~ about 8:40 pace for the last 3 miles!!! I have never done THAT before! Definitely going to be a yoga day for me tomorrow.

                I wanted to comment to you this morning that I truly appreciate all your affirmations you post on here and your general positive outlook on life ~ it’s very refreshing.

                Have a great day!

              • loveofoats.com November 9, 2008, 11:34 am

                congrats!!!!!!!

              • Lacey Nicole November 9, 2008, 11:35 am

                CONGRATS!!!!!!!! i think you’re just gonna keep getting faster!!! never doubt yourself. keep it up and something my basketball team used to say “KEEP THIS FEELING” !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                love it 🙂

              • Caitlin (see bride run) November 9, 2008, 11:36 am

                wholefood – THANK YOU!

                mary-jo: you did so great! we waited until 1 hr, 7 minutes and i was like, we must’ve missed her, she said she would be faster than this…. and you were!! we were probably too busy hugging each other at the 55 minute mark and missed you! congrats on doing your first 10k, if you’re doing the one in december, let me know!

                meghann – u rule, obvi

              • Marissa November 9, 2008, 11:44 am

                Congrats!!

              • Gina November 9, 2008, 12:14 pm

                congrats on an AMAZING race!!!

              • Neesha and Dustin November 9, 2008, 12:35 pm

                Way to go, Caitlin!!! Awesome! We are still waiting for our finish times from the race yesterday…you are motivating me to go for a 10k in the near future. 🙂 Congratulations!!!

              • just me November 9, 2008, 12:37 pm

                WONDERFUL WONDERFUL WONDERFUL JOB!!!!

                You even beat my personal record I want to beat! hehe!!!

                Awesome job!! I’m so excited for you!

              • HangryPants November 9, 2008, 12:46 pm

                Caitlin, I love reading your race recaps. It always makes me want to get out there and run. You admire ME for running on a treadmill? I admire you for doing these races. I want to do more so badly!!!! 😀

                Congratulations!

              • Jordan November 9, 2008, 12:49 pm

                I'm gonna start training soon. I love running, but I've never run more than two miles or so at a time. I want to run a 10k, dammit! Maybe next time we have a race in Jacksonville, I'll be ready & can come with you guys =]

              • girlrunningaround November 9, 2008, 1:26 pm

                Great job! Sounds like your hard work really paid off!

              • Bridget November 9, 2008, 1:52 pm

                Congrats on such a great race!!

              • magpie November 9, 2008, 2:15 pm

                So awesome! You guys did amazingly! That time is fantastic 🙂

              • Erin of Care to Eat November 9, 2008, 2:28 pm

                EXCELLENT!!!!!

              • Jen November 9, 2008, 2:48 pm

                Very awesome!! You rocked it! Congrats! Now go and have a great week!

              • Rose November 9, 2008, 3:12 pm

                Congrats, girl!

              • Balance, Joy and Delicias! November 9, 2008, 3:21 pm

                congrats girls!!! You’re the best!
                enjoy the rest of the evening!

              • emily November 9, 2008, 3:30 pm

                congrats! what an amazing race.

              • Angie Eats Peace November 9, 2008, 3:35 pm

                Awesome time! 1 million congrats!

              • Andrea (Off Her Cork) November 9, 2008, 5:00 pm

                Wow! Congrats on your race! Fantastic job!

              • Erin November 9, 2008, 5:13 pm

                Congratulations on your PR!!! I recently had a similar experience of realizing that I was strong enough to run much faster than I had been! It’s a great feeling, isn’t it?

              • Heather November 9, 2008, 5:14 pm

                Congrats! That is an awesome time!

              • GroundedFitness November 9, 2008, 5:49 pm

                wow- sounds like the perfect race! congrats on your time!

                Kelly Turner
                http://www.groundedfitness.com

              • Caitlin (see bride run) November 9, 2008, 6:19 pm

                jordan – you should!!!

                thanks so much everyone! your electronic support means a lot!

              • runningwithfood November 9, 2008, 9:10 pm

                You are AWESOME, Caitlin! Way to go, girl! I’m so proud of you! 🙂

              • sara November 9, 2008, 9:26 pm

                congrats!!! you kicked butt out there!

              • melinda November 10, 2008, 8:17 am

                great race!!! congrats!

              • Chic Runner November 10, 2008, 12:36 pm

                Lave the race report! 🙂 Congrats on such an awesome time and realizing that you are much faster than a 10 minute miler! 🙂

              • Elina November 10, 2008, 2:51 pm

                Wow, what an amazing time! Congrats!!! Caitlin, you continue to inspire me… I’m so happy for you right now AND I want to go for a run now. Hmm, too bad I’m stuck in the office instead.

              • Foodie (Fab and Delicious Food) November 12, 2008, 10:53 am

                Congrats!

              • Molly October 20, 2010, 10:08 am

                Hey Caitlin, congrats on your PR! I know it was a couple years ago but I just started reading your blog and was going through your races. One question though, for your links to the Original and Modified training programs, it brings me to a site with the title “asian bride finde a wife at seebriderun.com”… is this right? I’m really interested in your training plan because I’ve mastered (using the term loosely) the 15k and want to do my first 1/2. Thanks!

                • Caitlin October 20, 2010, 10:09 am

                  LOL Oh man. Seebriderun was bought by a porn site. I knew it.

                  You can just replace seebriderun with healthytippingpoint and it should take you to the right page.

              Healthy Tipping Point