Another loooong overdue update! Calgary Women's Run August 2012

Was casually visting my own blog and realized I hadn't even written a race report for Calgary Women's Run at the end of August....so here goes!

I had some decent early 10kms and some good 10kms in tri's this year, so though I would take a shot at my 10km PR that I set waaaay back in my 20's, and that sub 40 minute 10km that eluded me all through my 20's (back before I was a triathlete when I was pounding the pavement 6x a week).

After recovering from Calgary 70.3 ( I was sick for a week after) I had a wicked 2 week run focus, a short taper and it was go time.  There was something special about this race...  in my 20's my husband Marty and my young kids accompanied me to all those 10km races and I came so close to sub 40 so many times, but never did get there (40:11 was my best).  When I told Marty was going for sub 40 at the Women's Run he told me that he and the kids would be there (keep in mind they are now 12 and 15 and an 8am 10km race is not all cool).  I felt so wonderfully supported but also so much pressure!!  I know it sounds strange, but in so many ways I wanted to do this for Marty and the kids, so knowing they would be there at the finish meant there was no wimping out in the last km!

I rode into the race with some girlfriends (which is amazing for calming my race nerves - thanks girls!) and Marty and the kids showed up right before the start.  Marty sent me a text during my warmup telling me to basically get it done and my time would be 39:41.
I never did see that text...  but they were there at the starting line and there for me 1km out from the finish.

I went out fast off the gun and had a really good first 5km ( a nice tailwind for sure ).  I hit the halfway mark at 19:17 so I was off to a good start (this is also a 5km pb!).  Usually in a 10km race I hit the "pain cave" around the 7km mark.  In this race as soon as I hit the 5km turnaround (it was an out and back) I was in the pain cave!  5 tough kms for sure.  I definitely slowed down after the turnaround around, but knew if I could hold the slightly slower pace I would be able to do it.  At 9km I was at 35:50.  I had 4 mins and 10 sec to get it done.  Marty and the kids were there and hollered and yelled and it was just the push I needed.  I dug deeper into that pain cave and pulled off a sub 4 min last km to cross the finish line in....  yeah you guessed...39:41.  Marty predicted to the second!

Firmly in the pain cave at 9km!

I turned around and started making my way back to where Marty and the kids were and they met me half way.  I was so excited to celebrate this personal victory.  I accomplished something that I had laid to bed years ago as being untouchable.  To do this, and have Marty and the kids there to cheer me was a pretty big moment for me.

This was my reaction when I came around the corner and saw my family (followed by very sweaty hugs!)

The story gets even better....  I had three of my Team Tri Life Athletes there with me, and all three of them also had personal best days!  Jen and Lara entered their own pain cave and set new 10km PB's and Cherra-Lynne who is a new runner, finished her 2nd ever 5km in a personal best time.  There was a lot of smiles followed up by a celebration lunch together.  Most definitely a day to remember :)

Just a little goofy over there on the left....nice work ladies!