Mardi Pardi 10K- Bay St. Louis

Yesterday I ran my very first 10K in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.  This week I had a minor breakdown because it was my first 10K and I was so very afraid of not doing well on it.  The one thing that I've had to learn about running in races is that very few people actually care about how fast YOU are, they really only care about their own times and setting their own PRs.  So, I told myself, that regardless of how fast I did my 6.2 miles on Saturday, I was still setting my on Personal Record by just running and finishing.  And, I did run.  I tend to pace myself.  I don't like to get going really fast at the beginning and run out of steam toward the end.  So, I was at a comfortable pace, all on my own. 

Me with my number before the race.  In true beach fashion it was cold but I still got burned.

It's kind of hard to run by yourself at first.  I was surrounded by lots of friends that were running their first 10Ks themselves.  But, I got over it and really soaked in the scenery.  Since we're now on the Gulf Coast, a lot of the races I will be doing are along the beach.  Nice and flat, for the most part, and the beautiful trees and beaches.  I really enjoyed the scenery of Bay St Louis.  Besides the 3.5 miles of the coast that I ran along, I also ran through the quaint downtown area that was so cute and out of the past.  I finished my run in 1:18 and I am very proud of that time, especially since I didn't walk at all.  I did have to stop and retie my shoe on my one foot because it was starting to hurt because it was too tight and I was toward the middle/back of the massive crowd of people.  I didn't run out of steam at the end---I was able to push myself even harder during that last quarter mile.  And I received compliments from so many people that told me "I set a mean pace" (that must be a relative term!) and "We were trying to catch up to you the entire time" (a group of four ladies that came in about 7-8 minutes after me.    Overall, I just love how friendly and kind runners are.  I feel like a lot of them have been in my shoes before, never having run races and they know what it's like to start at the beginning.  I'm looking forward to improving my time.

At the finish line.  I was so glad to be done.

I don't think I am ready for a 1/2 marathon training plan yet.  I may be ready physically for one, but at the beginning of this race, I kept thinking, "I hate running.  Why am I doing this?  I am not fast, and this isn't fun." But about 20 minutes into it, I was feeling a lot better and really took off after that.  So, maybe longer runs are better for me?  But around mile 4-4.5 I started having my knee hurt and I had to readjust my stride.  Running properly is really such an unnatural thing for me at the moment, I think I have to just watch HOW I run so I don't get injured in the future.  I am really starting to like running a lot.  (I'm not at the love stage yet)  And I am really looking forward to beating my last time for the 5K next month when I do the St Patrick's Day parade here in Biloxi. 

Evan was one of my fans!

My cheering section in their new wagon.

It was chilly in the morning.

Both boys stuffing their mouths with food.

Cute little guy in my big hoodie.

Evan looking like Gollum with his precious pretzels.

On the slide at the park.  They knew the run would take me a while.

These boys loved those swings.

Logan wearing my sweaty hat.

He didn't want it on. 

Telling daddy to shut up in his own little way.

But then he wants it back.

My Evan and I.

Handsome little boy!

A couple of Rick's officer friends that we ran in to.  They both won their age divisions for the 5K.  Maybe some day I'll be that fast?  Or not...