A Race and A Ride

Saturday started out badly and somewhat set the tone for my day.

I went to pack my Garmin and it was DEAD!  Nothing!  Dead!  No data!  Would not charge!  Dead!

This threw me so much I never thought to take at least a watch with a stopwatch feature or my lap watch. The miles in my race were well marked and this would have worked fine.  I really really wanted the Garmin for my bike ride and I was very upset it wasn't working. I threw it in the car so I could stop where I bought it on the way back.  

A ways into my trip to the race site (almost 2 hours away) I remembered that I left my peanut butter English muffin on the counter.  Now that sucked as it is what I always eat before a race.  Plus I couldn't stop thinking about my stupid Garmin. So many many negative thoughts on the way to my race in spite of a beautiful day!

Once I got there I was a bit surprised at this small town race. It was well organized and well attended.  I still was missing my Garmin particularly in anticipation of my bike ride but I decided to get over it for now.  

The start of the 20K and the walking races.  There are

two arches to come through and we got VERY strict

instructions as to which one to finish in or be disqualified.

The 20K runners and 5 and 10K walkers started at 8:30.  The 5K and 10K runners began at 9:00.  It was hotter than I thought it was going to be and the course was what I would call hilly.  (This didn't bode well for the future bike ride.)  There were a lot of people racing the 5K but once we reached the turn around the crowd really thinned out.  I was glad to finally reach our turnaround. I had no idea how I was doing but felt like I was racing at a half marathon pace, not a 10K. In spite of feeling that way I chose to do nothing about it!  I passed a few people and one man stopped running with his friend and sped past me.  Then I started hearing rapidly approaching footprints........from some of the 20K racers!  Wow!  They were fast and all of them were drenched with sweat.  

Before the race sporting my new LuLu shorts and hat! Loved

the hat with the key pocket. Perfect for going to a race

alone!

The course was pretty.  You could see Jay Peak in the distance which is where Vermont's northernmost ski area is.  When I finished I had no idea what my time was.  The lady said to the timer: 1:13.  What?  I know I was slow but 1:13.  (And I mean slow for me everyone ahs their own fast/slow times) No way.  Man, what am I doing to slow down so much.  Well, I hung around next to the timers for a second and then took a peek.  I was #113 to come in (counting several races) and my time was 1:00:42. Still a PW but way better than 1:13.  It averaged out to a pace of 9:48 which is how I felt.  I just didn't have it in me.  A small part could be that I have been biking or running or both for about 10 days now. But truly I don't think a day of rest would have made much difference. I was just plain slower than usual.  A lot slower.

The blueberry sundae

I hung out for awhile, had some goodies including a blueberry sundae.  There were lots of prizes but I was 2nd in my age group and not first so I didn't think I would be getting one. There may have been only two of us so it was no huge cause for celebration. I wanted to get going on my next adventure so off I went on my bike to try out my husband's suggested route. 


I must say I didn't have the delight in this ride I have had in other more recent rides. I was hot and tired.  It was the hilliest ride I have done this year.  It was pretty but I've seen a lot of pretty lately.  My directions were fairly easy to follow. I used distances on road signs to figure out my mileage.  There was one stunning view when I came upon Lake Willoughby.  What a treasure.  There was a nice beach there that had several people at it.  

You come up over a hill and see this ahead. Stunning.

This would be a great place to spend an afternoon.

I knew I had a lot left to ride but I wasn't sure how much.  Truthfully had someone I known come by with a truck I would have happily thrown my bike in the back and called it a day. But I didn't have that option.  I gave myself permission to walk up two hills but I never did.  The last section was a repeat not part of the loop and I knew there were two killer hills.  I dreaded them way before I got there.  Once finally there the first one was everything I dreaded and then some.  But the final hill didn't seem like much at all. I was finally at my car.  But instead of going home I headed to the store where I bought my Garmin. They gave me some suggestions and last night I did end up fixing it, pretty much like fixing an Ipod when it freezes. It is completely fine now.  But while at the store I bought a computer for my bike and had it installed.  I HATE not knowing my mileage, the computer tells me many other things and I have been wanting it for awhile. Let's call it a birthday present to me.  Or was the bike rack that?  (Which I am loving!)  All I know is that biking is a money sucking activity, running is much much cheaper!


Today I had just an easy run with T.  The bike is parked for the day!  Let's all have a good week. It is still summer after all.