Sunday, September 26, 2010

Women Run The Cities 10 Mile Race Report!


Hi everyone! This morning I drove to Minneapolis to run in the Women Run The Cities 10 mile race. Packet pickup began at 6:30 AM and I wanted to make sure that I had a great parking place:) I scored and found a spot right on Minnehaha Ave! It was a little cooler this morning with a temerature of 42 degrees! This is the coolest temps that I have run in since early spring. I am not complaining, (Chris) I just wish that I had dressed a little warmer for the hour before the race actually started. I was freezing my butt off:)

Before the race started I ran into my high school friend Pam. Pam is the person who got me hooked on running races last year:)
In my last blog post I expressed that I would not be able to pull it together to match my time from last year. I had a great run last fall and came in with a final time of 1:23. I received a confirmation e-mail from Anderson Race Management stating that there would be pacers this year:) You all know how much I love my pacers! I decided to go with the 8:30 pacer scheduled to come in at 1:25. I figured that I could run with her until I needed to slow down and then just do my own thing. This is pacer Taren. She was my pacer for the Gopher To Badger Half Marathon in Stillwater:)

This is my view of the people in front of me about 10 minutes before the start. There were several people who made there way to the front before the start. Oh crap, the picture of the people behind me....I forgot to flipping post:( Sorry folks, I am not starting over. There were tons of people behind me. Basically, when the race started we all just moved up and took off. We did great with keeping time and ran nice and steady.

This is a little after mile one. The course was set on the roads close to Minnehaha Park. Even though it was 42 degrees at the start, I was ready to take off my jacket after five minutes. It was at this point where I realized that I forgot to start my Garmin! What is my deal? Seriously, is it my ADD coming back to haunt me? It was perfect running weather...even better than last year. Last year's temp was 62 degrees at the start. Miles two and three just buzzed by and I made a mental note that at mile four there was a hell of a hill! We ran down the hill and all was great! We were feeling awesome and the strides were so easy. At the turn around we had to look up at that crazy hill that we needed to get back up. Taren told us all what to do and we tried to get the perfect up-hill form. We cruised up the hill but my breathing was out of control. Taren gave me a few breathing tricks and with in about 45 seconds I felt great. I skipped the first two water stops...can you believe it? Mile five went by and when we got to mile six Taren said we needed to slow down. I can't believe that I did this...but I looked at her and said,"I am going to keep going at this pace." I slowly left Taren and my running pace group behind. I made a mental note to myself, just four miles left....let's see what you got! I made my way up a little roller and turned to go across this bridge. There is something about running on bridges that I love. The view was amazing and I was feeling super energized.

The sun was shining and I could see several trees on the bank of the river that were starting to change colors:) Miles eight and nine went well. Every time I looked down at my Garmin my pace remained between 7:30 and 7:50! When I saw the mile nine marker I was so excited! One freaking mile left! I ran steady and strong...I was feeling incredible! I could see the turn that led to the finish line! I had no idea what my time was going to be, I just knew that it would be under 1:25. Coming up the finisher's chute I saw the clock and I was in awe:) No freaking way...this must be a mistake...really?

After my pacer Taren came through I wanted to get a picture of us together. (She is 18 weeks pregnant and so cute:) I also thanked her for helping me with the hill and giving me great breathing recovery tricks.

I also ran into Pam again and had a picture taken with her. She did fantastic and finished in 1:14! So what was my final time?
My final time was 1:19:18! This is a 7:56 minute mile! I placed 89 out of 941 runners:) Can we say a four minute PR!!! It is amazing what cooler temps have done for me. Today my running just clicked:) I felt awesome after the run and have gained my confidence back. Today life is good:)

Happy running, biking, swimming and lifting! Cheers to you all!

76 comments:

  1. Way to go on your PR, you rockstar! So proud of you! And sooooo pumped for those awesome cooler temps! Whoooohoooo!

    You rock. Seriously, way to go on a run very very well done. Love it!

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  2. way to go Julie! YOU ROCK!! Aren't these cooler temperatures great after the humid August?

    Woo Hoo!!!

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  3. Hi Julie!

    Way to go! You are a rock star! That is an awesome PR! It sounds like a fun race to do. I will have to run it next year.

    I hope to run into you at the Monster Dash too. It would be fun to meet you!

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  4. What a fun, positive and successful run you had, I love it! Congrats on your PR and regained confidence, I'm so happy for you Julie!

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  5. Great job on your 10 miler. Nice PR!

    What a fun distance. I've never been able to find a 10 mile race that fits with my schedule. boooo.

    I love running in cooler temps too.

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  6. Awesome job, Julie! I'm so happy for you for your fantastic new PR!

    It was a gorgeous day for running! I wish it had worked out for me to do this race.

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  7. Congratulations!! What a great race and a huge PR!! Yay for you!!

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  8. Now this is a huge PR! Congrats.

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  9. According to some comments on the facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=207146514548&ref=ts )
    it sounds like the course was short about a quarter mile.

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  10. Congratulations!!! This is an amazing time!Pr by 4 min, that is HUGE!!!! I'm glad you are BACK :)Happy Running :)

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  11. This is so excellent! A huge congrats! I am impressed with your pacer. I love that she told you breathing tips! You rock big time!

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  12. We CAN say 4 minute PR! Sounds like a magical race. :)

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  13. Julie you have smoked all of your recent races. You are definitely in a good place. Enjoy your success!

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  14. WOW!!!!! That is so amazing. Way to rock the surprise PR!!!

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  15. That's great Julie! Glad you were able to realize the rewards of consistency through the hard summer months. You can use this as you move into the cold, dark winter- keep the goals of spring in mind!! Good Job!

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  16. Happy happy dance!! Awesome run, sub 8!!!! Congrats.

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  17. Congratulations Julie! Under an 8 minute pace for 10 miles!

    But wait a minute. I want to know those breathing tricks!

    I'm planning on the 10 mile race at the Monster Dash on October 30!

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  18. Hey Julie,
    Congrats on your PR! That's an awesome time! What a great race for you and for your confidence!! As usual, great race report too. Rest and have a great week!

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  19. Holy cow, great job!!! I love reading your race reports.

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  20. You always amaze me, chick!!! Would you come rub a little of your mojo on me, please?

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  21. Great Run Julie! It was chilly this morning...perfect for your 10 miler...our weather cleared just in time! I forgot to start my watch at Grandma's last year...it worked out well for you today!
    -Derek

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  22. WOW - great job! I agree that the cooler temp's are sooooo welcome after the summer we had. It just makes any run easier. Although I am faster . . . I am not THAT fast! ;-)

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  23. whew i was starting to worry ;) of course now we have another race + pr from you! my cousins called me "mini ha ha" when i was little, i thought of that when you said you parked on minnehaha rd. i love that you always have an abundance of pics so we can get a real feel for the race/where you run!

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  24. Wow! Talk about knocking that one out of the park! Way to go!

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  25. Woohoo! I am so excited for you! Congrats on your awesome PR! Good for you for leaving the pacer group behind and running your own race! Awesome job! :)

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  26. Awesome job Julie!! Love your top too. CUTE!

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  27. Awesome race...isn't it so annoying when you forget to start you watch. Every race I've ever done I either forgot to start it at the beginning or stop at the end!

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  28. What?! 7:56. I am not worthy! I bow to the Running Queen of Minnesota. How midwest is this race name...Gopher to Badger. I love it. Regarding my shout out in the first paragraph, am I in trouble? Did I tease you about the temp one time? I wouldn't put it past me. For the record, you are one of my fav Bloggers!

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  29. Dang Julie you were flying out there! That is top 10% overall ... awesome job!

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  30. Nice PR, Julie! What a great day you had. I'm so happy for you. Thanks for the awesome race report.

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  31. Fantastic job out there Julie! WOW what a huge PR! Congrats--you are running so well!

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  32. Wow, awesome job on the race! Great pictures, too.

    I hope the weather is just. like. this. next Sunday for Twin Cities! :)

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  33. Awesome! You are the very FAST racing machine!
    Great job. Looks like you had a beautiful day-ahhhh, blue skies! The Fall season is so lovely - I just don't care too much for what comes after it! :-)

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  34. great effort great result
    well done julie!

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  35. Great job! Congratulations on the PR!

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  36. You are a ROCKSTAR! Sounds like you're hitting a good stride...perfect to carry you into the long and colder training months!

    Also sounds like some of your physical issues from earlier in the season have subsided...hopefully?!

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  37. Holy smokes speedy great joB!!! and you (like always) are all pretty like at the end! I love it, amazing placing!!!

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  38. HOLY COW!!! Speedy McSpeederton!!!

    I ran this race last year and loved it! I really miss all the fall colors and the cooler weather -- this is the perfect time of the year for running! I always set all my PRs in the fall, too! GREAT JOB JULIE!

    And in response to your questions... I'm planning a trip home between Thanksgiving & Christmas, but I don't really know when yet. :) I'm sooo behind on blogging and I hope to catch up soon!

    xoxo,
    A

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  39. Look at you, Speedy!! That's an incredible time, I am sooo happy for you!!!! :).

    Oh the places you'll go....Congratulations to you!!

    And you look absolutely adorable in that blue outfit!! :)

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  40. well done - nothing like a PR for a morale booster ! makes all that training worth while !!!!!!!
    congrats
    keep going !!
    marti

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  41. Super duper Julie!! What a great PR and so fast! That cool weather and great atmosphere must have really charged you up, never mind the fact that you are just naturally awesome! Cheers!

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  42. Amazing PR Julie!!! Congratulations...you are so speedy...I'm in awe :)

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  43. Congratulations on the PR!! Very nice run!

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  44. Hi Julie,
    I'm glad that the weather was a little cooler after the summer :) Congrats on your 10 mile race! 7:56 minute mile is a great average pace, considering that crazy hill which you mentioned. Nice report Julie!
    Have a nice training again!

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  45. nice job! way to kick it in at the end!!

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  46. Awesome job! That's so exciting that you didn't even know you had it in you! Congrats on the amazing PR! :)

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  47. Wow what an awesome pace for 10 miles! Way to go Julie! I'm doing the TC 10 this weekend, and trying to figure out my goal time. I don't think a sub 8 pace is in my cards, however. Congrats again!

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  48. Awesome job! That is a super pace, Julie! And it is not only the cooler temps. You've been doing some awesome work lately:)

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  49. Look at you go! How exciting!
    Great job. Keep up the good work.

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  50. Great story about your race, incredible time, too.
    I don't mind being cold before the race if it means we will be comfortable during the race. But sometimes, you spend the first mile or so just trying to shake off that cold numbness.
    Excellent pictures as usual. And you need to follow that pacer to the next race (until baby time), she sounds great.

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  51. congrats!! you are a superstar! What a fast time!! :D

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  52. WOW! That's a great run and it looks like a beautiful day to boot.

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  53. Awesome Julie! Gee, everyone seems to have such great race reports this weekend. So inspiring.

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  54. Julie! What a great job, I love how you broke from the pack and kept your pace up, that is awesome!!! Congrats on your PR!!!

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  55. That's so amazing! Well done you :-) I loved reading the recap :-)

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  56. wow! great time and pace! looks like you were flying! =)

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  57. Well done Julie, that's an amazing run to get into the top 10% and a PR to be proud of. And you looked so fresh after it. Your star is definitely on the ascendant. What next?

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  58. Reading this post I knew this was coming. You did built the excitement up till the end.

    Julie what a great and fantastic result! I'm so proud of you. Well done girl.

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  59. wow, awesome job on the race...you are speedy! great race report too....can't believe she was pacing at 18 wks pregnant, that is cool...

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  60. Way to go, Julie!! My 10 miler this month was not nearly as fast but I was happy!!

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  61. No, you placed 89 (is 90 a mistake?) of 941. Now you are a top runner, in Italy the first 100 deserve the start into a special stage and the special bib. You are very very fast, congrats on the PR. As usual many beautiful pictures.

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  62. Awesome job, Julie! That's an amazing time!

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  63. Wow Julie- awesome job! You are so flipping fast! And hooray for seeing Pam!

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  64. AWESOME race! Sorry, I've been MIA lately... just haven't been running and didn't want to depress myself anymore by reading about some awesome runners... but I'm BACK!

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  65. Julie,
    Wow, congrats on the amazing PR! Your bling keeps growing with each race you do. How do you display them all?

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  66. Way to go! You are totally in the zone, aren't ya! That is a HUGE PR. Nice job!!
    ~RR

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  67. Julie-KICK @SS!! Nice work! I bet you're just on top of the world right now! A 4 minute PR-awesome!! We'll be in Maple Grove from Thursday to Monday! Perhaps I'll pass you running!

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  68. You betcha Jules! I missed ya! You were always first to comment it seemed on each posting I would have. I always looked forward to your kindness in the comments. I miss them. Keep up your great running!

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  69. Wow! That is an amazing improvement! Way to go!

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  70. Great PR, you are having a magical season with your racing

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