At 6:30 this morning, I was up and ready to go!
Before leaving the house, I snacked on a piece of almond butter + banana toast for some pre-race fuel.
By 7:45, I was down at the 10K Spring Run-Off, freezing my tush off.
My girl Eileen and I drove down at the same time this morning and were a little early, so we did what we could to keep warm. You know, hopping around uncontrollably looking like a fool….yup, that was me.
My #1 fan was also there to support me.
By 8:00, the rest of the girls started to arrive!
Cynthia, Heather, Emily, Me, & Jen
Cynthia & Emily were doing the 5K race that was taking place after our 10K, but they were awesome to come early and cheer us on.
I was so glad that I made a last minute decision to grab a pair of gloves before leaving the house this morning. My Raynaud’s was out of control, so I attempted to keep the digits as warm as I could before the race started.
Soon enough, the announcement was made to start lining up for the race. Holy cow.
But actually, I wasn’t nervous. I think setting the tone for the race last night helped calm any nerves I may have had. Because really…it’s just a race, right? Gotta have fun with it!
Shortly before the race started, we got word that part of the course was flooded so we were going to be re-routed, adding about 1/10th of a mile to our distance. Heyyyy, no big deal.
I guess in that case, I actually WAS close to my original thought that a 10K was 6.4 miles, not 6.2. Thanks to those of you who helped correct that for me.
Before I knew it, my legs were movin’ and I was racin’ away! Throughout the duration of the race, I had a few thoughts along the way:
Mile 1: Wasn’t too bad. My calves were pretty tight to start but eventually loosened up a bit. My fingertips were purple at this point and I could not get them to warm up.
Mile 2: Still felt pretty good. Passed by the water station and regretted it shortly after. My fingertips started turning back to white…which is a good sign.
Mile 3: Damn that was a LONG mile. I swear it was longer. By now, my fingertips were pretty much back to normal and I was still feeling strong.
Mile 4: By this point, I took my first break and walked a bit with Jen. I was also pretty bored with my playlist on my iPod by this point, so it was a welcomed change of pace.
Mile 5: I was not looking forward to approaching the muddy re-routed path that we had already encountered back at mile 2. It was gross and really difficult to run in. By this time my hips started to feel a little sore and I kept craving iced coffee…
Mile 6: First thoughts: “Where the hell is the finish line?!? Did they move it farther away???” I was reeeeally ready to be done by this point, but I was feeling proud of how far I’d made it. I took a couple quick walking breaks with Jen again, but shortly before the finish line she booked it. As soon as I saw that finish line in the distance, I smiled. I knew I was going to do it…and then, I dropped my phone on the pavement. Thankfully, it didn’t break, but I had to stop and pick it up, along with the cover that snapped off. Talk about interfering with my mojo!
And then, just like that…I finished!!
I know you wish you all had a picture of yourself that looked like that…wowwwww.
One hour, one minute, and forty-six seconds later, and I had finished my first 10K! I had no idea what to expect for a finishing time, and unfortunately, I let myself get a little bummed when I saw just how close I was to finishing in under an hour. But I only allowed that thought for about 5 seconds, and then just continued to be grateful for the fact that I did what I did at all. Not bad for only training outdoors once AND never running that distance before I suppose!
It was also a good thing I decided to wait until after this race to get new running sneaks…
Eeeeeeew.
We were all so happy to have made it and done well…Hip Hip, HOORAYYYY!
*******
After hanging out for a bit and wishing our 5K racers good luck, I headed out to finally get that iced coffee I had been craving since mile 5.
Jay and I stopped at Bruegger’s for some coffee and a bagel sandwich. I got an egg white and provolone with ham on a sun-dried tomato bagel. It was incredible.
*******
I’m so happy that I decided to run my first 10K today. It was an amazing experience, and I consider myself very lucky, not only to be able to run it, but also have such great friends to run it with!
Next up…my 15K Boilermaker in July. Ohhh boyyyyy.
Time to go shower and head back out for a little birthday celebration with Heather, Jen, and some pretty awesome blends. See ya laterrrrrr!
Shannon, Tropical Eats says
Great job!!! Love seeing bloggies getting their race on together.
All of that mud just makes you hardcore :)
Carrie (Moves 'N Munchies) says
YOU GO GIRL!!!! that does look SUPER COLD! but you rocked it- bagels are the BEST post run fuel!
Chad says
Congratulations! It’s always inspiring to hear of running accomplishments. Good work :D
Samantha says
AWESOME Job! That’s a great time for your first 10k! Congratulations! Racing is so much fun, you’ll be hooked before you know it!
Liv @ The Salty n' Sweet says
YAY! Congrats :D
Awesome finish, too, especially since you never ran that distance before! Would you ever consider doing a marathon?
Courtney says
At this point, nope! I’ve never had the desire to run one. Then again, they always say “Never say never” right? ;)
Liz @ Tip Top Shape says
Congrats on the 10 k!! That is too funny that you dropped your phone right before the finish line. I bet that was a big oh **** moment! lol
Caitlin @ Southern Curls & Pearls says
CONGRATS! You should be so proud of yourself for finishing and doing so well!! I’m sure it was a relief to be done, you should take it easy the rest of the day :)
Courtney @ The Granola Chronicles says
Congrats, Courtney!! What a great accomplishment! :)
Kelly says
Awesome!! That profile picture of you warming your hands if gorgeous!! You are such a star!!
Courtney says
You are too sweet. Thanks, Kel! :)
Lara @ six times the yum says
Congrats on finishing your first 10K! That’s a big accomplishment! Breakfast looks delicious. I absolutely adore Bruegger’s iced coffee and bagels. I’ve never had their sun-dried tomato bagel before, but I think I will the next time I’m there because it looks yummy.
Courtney says
Yes, you definitely should try it…it was AWESOME!
colleen @ thegiftofmondays says
congrats, you did it!!! (as we all knew you would!) great pics and i agree with kelly about the profile pic of you warming your hands is gorgeous!!! i think i’ll enter my first 5K this year…thanks for the inspiration :)
Jess@atasteofconfidence says
Congrats!
Janae@hungryrunnergirl says
Ahhhh you did amazing! Congrats girl! I have been thinking about you all morning! Yay for gloves! You look absolutely gorgeous!!!!!!!!
Courtney says
Awwww, thanks for thinkin’ of me girl! ;)
khushboo says
Woooo congrats for finishing! Its funny how much of a feeling of accomplishment running can give- 2,4,6,or 21 miles- there’s always a sense of pride! Haha and I love how you were craving iced coffee mid-way! Having something yum to look fwd to always helps ;)
fsugirl! says
GREAT JOB!!! :D
Danica says
Way to go, Courtney!!!
Amanda- The Nutritionist Reviews says
You are so pretty..even that early in the morning : )
Jordan says
Ah so exciting! Congrats! You totally deserved that awesome bagel sandwich and iced coffee :) Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Victoria (District Chocoholic) says
Congrats on a great race! Nice pace.
Jess says
Great job! Your poor sneakers! Lol. Can’t wait for the boilermaker!!!! :)
ellalinea says
With a bagel, you can’t go rong after a race! Congrats with your 10k!
Alyssa Kuminski says
Congrats!! Ughh good thing you didnt get new running shoes before!!!!!
Sarah Elizabeth says
Congratulations! :)
Kristi says
Congrats on your run! It looks like you had a great one.
Tina @ Faith Fitness Fun says
Great job!!! You did fantastic and it looks like a really fun time too.
Paige @ Running Around Normal says
Nice job, girlie!! :)
I ran a half marathon today – and my Raynaud’s was OC for the first couple miles, too. My fingers were WHITE. ugh. Sucks, right?
Heather T says
Yay, congrats!!
Liz (Little Bitty Bakes) says
Yay, congrats Courtney! That’s a great time for your first 10k – you’ll break an hour next time.
I’m totally craving Brueggers now – looks delicious!
Jennifer@ knackfornutrition says
Congrats on a great race! I think that is the same location of the Hudson Mohawk River Half Marathon which is where I ran my first half-marathon!! You did such a good job!
Kimberley says
GOOD JOB girl– :) That is quite an accomplishment!
Leanne (Bride to Mrs.) says
I’m so proud of you Courtney!!! Awesome job :)
Emily @ Perfection Isn't Happy says
Congratulations! I knew you would be able to do it! But “eww” for all the mud!
Melissa says
YAYAYAYAYAYYYYY!!! Knew you could do it! :D
Isn’t it SO weird that Raynaud’s makes your fingers stay numb for that long? You’d think with all that blood pumpin’ that they’d catch up a lot quicker! The only time it really bugs me during a race is if I have to stop to tie a shoe. Takes a lot longer when your fingers are numb!!!
Katy (The Singing Runner) says
Congratulations!!! :D I’m so proud of you!
Ally (oatsandspice) says
CONGRATS on your first 10k! What an accomplishment – I bet it feels so good to finish something that you have worked so hard for!
Get ready to rockkk your 15k soon :) I know you will! Enjoy your Saturday night chica!
ashley says
ummm where did you get your workout capris from? love love love them!!!
Courtney says
Nike Outlet! :)
Sarah @ healthygirlrunning says
Congratulations!!! Awesome job on finishing a 10k!! I just finished my first 5k today too! :)
Courtney says
Congrats to you too!!
amanda says
It was great meeting you today! You did amazing – WTG!
Courtney says
Yes! It was great meeting you too! :)
Little Miss Runshine says
Great recap! And congrats on your first 10k!!
Jamie aka "Sometimes Healthy Living Girl" says
Woo hoo! Congrats!! Great recap :-)
Grace says
Congrats! That is so awesome! That bagel sandwich looks like the perfect post run breakfast!
Christina says
Congrats! Great job :)
Brittney says
I’m late reading this, but great job Courtney! You did awesome!! It’s a great feeling to finish that distance, isn’t it? I did my first 10K about a year ago and remember being psyched I did it!
Michael says
nice job!
see you at the boilermaker!
Foxy says
Well done! I hope to do my first 10km sometime this year…
Kristen says
awesome job!!!!!!
sherice@foodieluvsfitness says
your hubby reminds me a little of Bradley Cooper.. Lucky you ;)