Wild Boar 10K

Here I am coming in for the home stretch, but this was no easy accomplishment, and I'm not just talking about the run.

The run started at 8 a.m. so Theo stayed behind to get the kids ready and I took off in the Honda Civic. I was driving down 101 and all of a sudden a spider drops down from the window right by my head! I almost drove off the road. I absolutely HATE spiders! I pulled over at a truck weigh station, jumped out and knocked the spider out. After thoroughly checking the car to make sure that the spider was gone I got back in and started again.

Then on the way there I got lost, not once, not twice but THREE times!!! I was driving back and forth, calling Theo and my friend Kara trying to figure out where I was and where to go. I asked Kara what I should do if I miss the start of the race, she said, "Just start running."

When I finally found the place, that is just what I had to do. From what the traffic cop told me they had just left 4-5 minutes ago, so I just hopped out and started running.

It was a gorgeous day with beautiful views. The trail took you along a ridge of Mt. Tamalpais with awesome views of the Pacific ocean. The trail also went through some woods with streams and waterfalls. It was absolutely breath taking, and I'm so glad that I didn't wimp out because I was late.

I got off to a really good start. I was feeling good and even started to pass some of the other runners who had started the race 5 minutes before me. And they weren't just the old and injured, it was other people my age who looked physically fit. I was doing great up until mile 4 and the path started taking me slowly back up the mountain. The last and definitely the hardest challenge of the whole race was the last mile. It was uphill the ENTIRE way. I was totally exhausted, putting one foot in front of the other was like walking under water with weights dragging behind me. When I saw the Finish line I just started running, I was so ready for the whole thing to be over at that point. The race had an elevation total of 800 ft. and I swear they saved the entire incline on that last mile.

My time was 1.17, which I think was pretty good considering all the hills and the walking. My first 10K was not nearly so challenging and I did it in 1.09. So even though it took me a little longer, I can tell I am improving. I have definitely been bitten by the running bug, and I'm excited to run a 10K in Mobile....mainly because I don't have to worry about hills!