First 10k

Today I ran my first 10k!!  This was the Tufts 10k for Women and it was an awesome event; I’m so glad this was the race I chose for my first jump past a 5k!

Everyone I talked to that has run this race in the past would tell me that it’s a great race and so much fun.  I was trying to think of how this race was going to be SO much better than any other, but now I get it.

7,500 women participated (and a few men that I saw), and there was just a high energy feeling all around.  The race started and ended at the Boston Common and it was a beautiful day to be outside…upper 60’s, sunny, but with enough cloud cover so you weren’t hot. 

First things first.  I fueled up for this race with a nice pancake breakfast!  The race didn’t start until noon so that gave plenty of time for digestion.  I whipped up some Kodiak Cakes.

I with chocolate chips of course, one with Maple Almond Butter for my usual pre-run mix of carbs + nut butter, and 1 plain. 

Real maple syrup on the side.

I ate this around 8am, so around 10:30/11, on my way into the city, I also had 1 slice of whole wheat bread with PB.  This plus my morning pumpkin spice coffee was great race fuel!

The Commons was packed, luckily there were sufficient port-a-potty’s

Not gonna lie, it was pretty exciting to have my name on my bib!

Joc and I before the race.

Took about 8 minutes to reach the starting line once the race started, but Jocy and I kept a nice smooth, but slow pace.  This was going to be the longest either of us had ran and the last thing we wanted to do was crap out early because we went too fast!

I was feeling really good during this race, I’m finally realizing what it means to settle into a pace, and even after finishing I think I could of kept on going for a while :)

I stayed with Jocy for the first 4 miles, and stopped with her when she needed to stop but finally I knew my legs just needed to keep moving so I went on alone for the last 2.2 miles. 

This was also the first time I had anyone besides Brian there to cheer…it was great to see him and my mom between mile 5 and 6! 

See still smiling :)

He also grabbed a shot of the elite runners

  (I believe the girl on the left won, she was from RI too!)

I picked up the speed as much as I could during the last .2 miles, and my official time was 1:10:29, an 11:21 pace.  Looks slow on paper, but it felt ok to me plus included a few stops in the first half. 

I’m just pumped I did it, plus wasn't dying at the end!!  Heck this felt WAY easier than that damn 5k a few weeks ago in the heat!!

Looking forward to setting a new running goal :)

This race also had some pretty sweet swag as well…

 
lots of goodies, plus even more after the race: bagels, bananas, granola bars, fruit cups, dried fruit, PowerAde…my hands were full!

After the race, Brian, my Mom, and I walked back to my car (felt way farther than before the race haha), and grabbed lunch!

It was a gorgeous fall day, and we did as many other and dined outside…there’s not going to be many more days left for that this year.

I was in the mood for a really good sandwich and found just the one at Abe and Louis.  Abe’s is one of the top steak houses in Boston, but they have a great lunch menu too with many more affordable items if your not in the mood for a $40 rib eye!

It was SO nice sitting outside (sorry mom, she’s not going to like this picture since I caught her after taking a bite of bread!)

Love Abe’s bread basket…so many choices!  The best is that sweet raisin crisp cracker-like bread

   

My sandwich craving, fulfilled. 

Filet Mignon club with tomato and arugula, and sweet potato fries (which were mostly eaten by Brian and my mom)

Mom got a beautiful salad; steak, tomatoes, blue cheese, romaine, sweet onions, and balsamic vinaigrette

 

Brian had the crab cake and clam chowder (unpictured).  They’re crab cakes are so good because its almost all crab meat, nothing else. 

 

There was lots more fun to be had this weekend, including craziness at UNH homecoming!!  But this girl is TIRED and ready for bed.