Women's Fall Challenge

Did I mention I was running a race today?

I think I might have slipped it in somewhere in a past post, but I definitely didn't do a pre-race post, mostly because to be honest, I wasn't thinking too much about this race beforehand.

It's no secret that my "big event" is next weekend at the Victoria Marathon, but I was looking forward to participating in the Quesnel Women's Fall Challenge this year.  I ran my first half marathon (and first real race outside of high school) at this event last year and loved it.  As the name suggests, it's an all female race, and they offer 5 and 10K walk/run and a 1/2 marathon.  I would have loved to do the half marathon again on the same course as I know I'd show a big improvement in time and placing (as in, not last) this year, but that would have to wait as I didn't think a half the week before my first full marathon was a good idea.

I signed up for the 10K thinking it would be a training run.  My original plan when I signed up was to take it nice and easy and finish around 60 minutes and be happy with that.  I've never run a 10K race before, so any time would be a PR.

As the race neared, I started reading more and more articles about tapering, intensity and the week before the marathon, and I wondered if maybe I was selling myself short by not going for it in this race.  I still didn't give it too much thought, but as of yesterday I was planning to run nice and easy for the first 5K and then try doing progressively faster splits to the finish.

Plans, schmans.

This morning, despite getting up early, I was late leaving the house.  Thank goodness the BF's parents live 1K from the start line because their were cars parked all the way back there and beyond, so I pulled into their driveway and did a warm up run to the start line.  I had just enough time to get my bib pinned on and my chip on my shoe and wiggle up past the walkers before the gun went off.

The gun sounded and I was quickly over the mats and started my Garmin.  Unfortunately I must have double-hit the button because about 250m in when I glanced down it said I'd gone 2m, so I never really knew my time until the end of the race and will never know my actual splits.  At this point I was still thinking I would take it easy so I tried not to get caught up with the speedsters.  I also knew that some of these runners were only doing 5K and I didn't want to try to keep up with them. 

Then I got cut off.  2 women running a pace slightly faster than mine, passed me then quickly tucked in in front of me.  So quickly, I almost stepped on one of their heels!  We were running on a wide road and there was plenty of room and no need for this.  I knew it hadn't been intentional, but at that moment, it was enough to get me a little fired up.

Forget this nice and easy business, I was going to race this thing!

Absolute highlight of the race came around 1.5K.  A dad and 3 kids, probably 2, 3 and 4 years old were out cheering on the runners.  "Go ladies, go!"  It was too cute!  They all got high fives and cheers from me!  I've been smiling about them all day.

Then I just started picking people off.  Nothing crazy, but I steadily moved up.  The volunteers at the first water station were some of the youth I work with.  It was great hearing them cheer for me as I ran down the hill to their stop.  I passed a bunch of people, grabbed water, walked until the last person I had passed, caught up and started running again.  (I hate when people do this to me!)

This was also the 5K turn around point, so I knew the rest of the women on the course were either doing the 10K or the half.

It had been cool at the start line but at this point we were in full sun and I was regretting wearing a long sleeve even though the forecast was only 7*C.  Luckily, we rounded a bend into the shade.  I continued to narrow the gap between myself and who ever was infront of me until I passed them.  Narrow the gap, pass, repeat.

As I approached the 5K point and the turnaround, the leaders were heading back.  Every single one greeted the other runners as we passed.  I wasn't that far from the front.

At 5K was another water station with more of the youth that I work with.  They cheered for me again and passed me a gatorade.  I couldn't bare to litter my cup in front of these girls, and there was only one bin in an awkward spot past the turnaround, so I lost a couple of seconds there, but didn't stop to walk and just kept running.  Narrow the gap, pass repeat.

I don't know if it was the Gatorade or the effort I was putting in, but I started to feel a bit sick around the 6K mark so I slowed my pace a bit for about a km, down one hill and up another.  Then it was down another hill to the first and last water stop and this time the girls there were spelling out a giant (backwards) Amy with their bodies.  The cute kids from the start of the race had moved over to the water station and were still yelling, Go Ladies Go!  More high fives, more water and a quick 10s walk break up the steepest section of hill.

Now we were dodging walkers going in both directions, but I had my sights set on the back of a woman in front of me.  She was way ahead and had been for ages.  I just kept telling myself to narrow the gap.  With 2K left, the course was mainly down hill and flat.  I picked it up, but never caught up to anyone else, though I got close.

Walkers were taking up most of the road in the last kilometer, and the road wasn't closed, but drivers were being good about letting us by.  I think I probably had a look on my face that told drivers they didn't want to mess with me.  :)


Less than a hundred meters from the finish, a woman came out of nowhere to pass me.  She stopped me after the race to say thank you as she'd been trying to catch me since the last turn a kilometer back.  I thanked her too because she pushed me to really sprint at the end.

The guys clipping the chips were more of the youth I work with, so I got another big cheer as I crossed the finish line.

Clock time 52:01

Chip time 51:51

Overall finish: 14/109

Age group finish:  4/30

Soooo close to a medal!

In any other race it would be easy to get frustrated with those walking and taking up the entire width of the road, but it was impossible to get annoyed or angry today. This is a really special event where everyone is so encouraging. Everyone is cheering on everyone. A group of young girls walking arm in arm with butterfly wings (who danced to the finish) cheered every single person that passed them. A lot of the other runners and walkers were women I know, either personnally, or just from around town at the bank, the grocery store, the gym. If you want to feel community, this is it.

I am really happy with my time.  Although I play around with my pace on runs, I haven't done a lot of speedwork as I've gotten closer to the marathon.  This is actually my best pace ever on any run of any length! 

I learned a lot from this race too - but more on that in my next post.