Monday, September 28, 2009

Race Report - Audubon 10K

On Saturday, I ran the Second Annual 10K at the Northwoods Audubon Society in Sandstone. I ran this race last year too, so I guess I can say I've run the race every year it's been offered.

Over the weekend, I was on a little scrapbooking retreat (nerdy, I know) with some friends, but I was still only 15 minutes away from Sandstone, so figured I could still make the race. Although I stayed up later than I usually would before a race and fueled a little bit differently (chips and salsa and peanut butter M&M's are good pre-race foods, right?), I felt good when I got up Saturday morning. Jim picked me up at the scrapbooking house and we headed to the race.

The 5K and 10K start at the same time together, and a lot of people walk the 5K. Can you see where this is going? Right at the start, I had the always pleasant experience of running a few steps only to have to slam on the brakes to avoid plowing over a walker. Once the 5K split off from the 10K, things cleared out considerably, since there were only about 30 people running the 10K.

The first mile is on the dirt roadway/driveway leaving the Audubon Center. I wanted to keep myself from going out to fast, and running on dirt helped! The next three and half miles are on paved roads going around Grindstone Lake. It really is a beautiful course, especially this time of year with the leaves changing. At about the 4.5 mile mark, we are back on dirt roads heading back towards the Audubon Center. The final mile is actually on the trails through the Audubon property.

I ran a strong race and kept a consistent pace, which made me happy. The last stretch through the trails in the woods really took it out of me. I wanted to give a good kick to the end, but my legs just weren't having any of that. Cross the finish "line" (okay, patch of grass) in 56:09. At 6.4 miles. Damn long race. At least I remembered that the course was long from last year, so I expected it. But still. I was done at 6.2! Although my finish time is slower than my August 10K (normal distance), I improved on last year's time from the "maxi" 10K by 2 minutes! I'll take it.

I'm still debating about whether to post the "reenactment" picture Jim took of me running through the trail on the woods. I look like a complete dork, so I have to decide how much I'm willing to embarass myself.

18 comments:

Mel-2nd Chances said...

YES!! Post the pic!! Congrats on the 10k too btw :)

Running Through Life said...

Good job on the 10K! Yes we want to see the picture. You cant leave us hanging like that.

I Run for Fun said...

Congratulations! Awesome race. Yes, please, post the pic!

Anonymous said...

So yeah, whomever the Race Director is that starts walkers at the same time as runners should be kicked in the achilles several times.

The Sean said...

maybe it felt long because of all the Friday night partying. I know how my wife gets when she has scrap-booked too much!

Nice fall races:)

Marlene said...

Oh ou HAVE to show us the dorky picture!

Congrats on the 10(+)K!

B.o.B. said...

We all look like dorks during these races. I want to see your supreme dorkiness! I promise to post my next dorky race photo.

BTW - CONGRATS!

Sarah said...

You should definitely post the picture!!!! :)

Congrats on a great finish...sounds like a beautiful course.

Marci said...

Picture! Picture!!! Congrats on your longish 10K!

Ali said...

Well done! Congrats on the 10k and time.

My vote is yes for dorky pics!

Anonymous said...

totally post the pic!!! sounds like it was a good race!

ShutUpandRun said...

Let's see the picture. C'mon! I hate it when the race is longer than it's supposed to be. What is that all about??? Great job running those 6.4 miles, though.

Aron said...

wooooo awesome job!

Erika said...

Nice job on the 10K. I had a similar problem this weekend with slower people at the beginning.

Share the picture, please!

MCM Mama

Felice Devine said...

Congrats!!
Post the pic!

Jeri said...

yes please on the re-enactment pic. and I've always wanted to be a scrapbooker but I feel like it's a project I would start then lose interest in. :( sad.

Jess said...

That's a fast 10K in my book! Nice job!

joyRuN said...

Congrats on the 10K!!

Soooo, where's that pic?