Ontario Mills 10k

Our first 10k is done and done!!  No DNS for us, and I can’t believe it was entirely in the rain!

To be completely honest, the race got off to a bit of a rough start.  We got to the mall a little after 6am and instantly got lost. 

It was dark, raining, there were no signs and cones everywhere.  We finally pulled up the map and realized the start was by Edwards Theater.  We parked and then got out into the rain and walked towards what we thought was the starting line…

Except it wasn’t. 

Someone on a bullhorn was yelling the start was a bit away at the next building over.  So we walked over with literally 2 minutes to spare and lined up just in time to start the race.  The course went around the mall once and then out onto the streets and back. 

The first 2 miles were hard.  My legs were cold and the rain was coming down pretty steady.  I was instantly soaked.  The first half mile I hit a huge puddle and from then on my socks and shoes were squishy. 

• Mile 1 – 11:47
• Mile 2 – 12:43

Miles 3-5 had us going out onto the streets.  These miles were pretty easy, which surprised me.  I had studied the course the day before and I think it helped mentally knowing when to expect the next mile marker.

We had decided to carry a water bottle since the comments from the race last year indicated they had run out of water on the course.  This year though, there were a ton of volunteers – which was really nice since they were literally just standing in the rain.  It was also during mile 3 that we began to see the leads passing us on the way back in.  Rude. 

• Mile 3 – 12:28
• Mile 4 – 12:31
• Mile 5 – 12:35

The last mile was one more time around the mall.  By now the 5ker’s had already started their race and we had caught up with some of the speedies finishing their second lap.  It was rough being constantly passed as we were on our last mile.  Mentally I started to feel it around 5.8 miles and asked Jeff to run next to me (he usually runs like 5 feet in front of me).  Jeff was great and kept encouraging me to keep pushing through the end. 

• Mile 6 – 12:00

We came around the bend and I could see the finish line just a few feet away.  We picked up our pace and finished strong!  I was so happy to finish our first 10k, I almost started crying.  I would have never thought I could finish 6 miles and today I did, with the husband right next to me. 

Unofficial Time – 1:17:05

They were posting official times, but after being in the rain for over an hour, the husband and I said “peace” and headed back to the car. 

First 10k is in the bag! 

Of course it would rain

Last week I signed Jeff and I up for our first 10k.  We were really excited until exactly 3 minutes after putting in my credit card information, we realized Saturday had rain in the forecast. 

A 6:30am start with a 70% chance of rain.  That means, for approximately 1 hour and 20ish minutes I will be running in the rain.  With soaked clothes and wet shoes.

Unless…

We change our minds and skip the run.  I can’t say we haven’t thought about it and depending on how hard the rain is coming down, we may just call this one a DNS. 

Big Red Chair

Whenever anyone sits on the recliner and has the foot part up, Chloe rushes over to lay down.  She loves to crash on that chair.

She looks so cute doesn’t she?

I can’t believe we ran 6 miles

Really I can’t.  If my legs weren’t completely dead and my Garmin showing the proof, I would have said I was making it up. 

We had plans to wake up first thing this morning and head out for the run.  However, Jeff’s hungry stomach and my self doubt pushed the run back until after breakfast.  Around noon we finally headed out the door.

The first 2 miles went pretty easy.  We went slow and along a familiar path so it was nice to know when the mile markers were going to hit (I try not to look at the Garmin). 

The first part of mile 3 was along a different route and so was mile 4 so while my legs began to protest, mentally I was still okay.  I took a couple of sips of water beginning around mile two and walked whenever I drank. 

At 4.5 miles I realized ohmygosh, this was going to happen.  We only had 1.5 miles to go.

Mile 5 was painful (my knee was hurting-time for new shoes) and wet, it had started to rain, but every foot forward was one step closer to finishing.

And then, the Garmin beeped and 6 miles were done!

I was sweaty, stiff and tired but SO HAPPY to have finished a distance that was so daunting the hour before.  Now all that’s left…doing it all over again next weekend. 

It’s been a while

since all four nieces were at my house, but today was that day! 

My loft went from toyless to this in about 5 minutes.

We watched Kung Fu Panda 2 while reminding the girls to pick up their toys before they pulled more out.  It did not work.  I had a break when Jeff announced dinner was ready.

He and Nate did a great job smoking some tri tip and sausages. 

Then it was back to the nieces.  We finally succeeded in getting the girls to clean up the majority of their toys while we waited for C & C. 

We had one minor piece of drama when Brooklyn did not like me telling her she couldn’t have dessert. 

Towards the end of the evening, the girls decided to get their coloring on.  Love these color wonder markers!

All the excitement was too much for Chloe who crashed on my leg.  Love it when she cuddles. 

And now, it’s my turn for a nap.  Good night!