The Hottest Half and 10K 2013 Recap

10k Finisher Picture

I ran The Hottest Half and (10k) last week, my second year in a row. I felt more confident this time around since I was familiar with the course and had better prepared myself for the event.

I had a really great start. My music playlist was on point. I had properly stretched. I was pumped! For the first 3 miles, I was running ahead of my usual pace per mile by 45 seconds.

By the turn around point, little over 3 miles, I was happy how good I was keeping up. I just knew I would finish ahead of last years time. 

Around mile 5 I started to slow down. I knew even if I walked for a bit, I could still beat last year time. It was during that last mile that I just wanted to give up. I wanted to cross the finish line, yet running was the last thing I wanted to to.

The last mile is always a tough one. It's such a mental challenge. 

I always get caught off guard and end up with really crappy race pictures. This year I was able to spot the camera guy ahead of time. So every time I was about to approach him, I would smile and give 2 thumbs up. I would hold that pose for like 5 seconds because I wanted to make sure he got it. I looked so dumb.... What do you think? Better?

I ended up finishing 8 minutes ahead of last year time! More than a minute ahead per mile!

This event also marked one year since my best friend and I started running together. We've come a long way! In 2012 we were just getting into the game and look at us now? Looking like actual runners. My sister came to see me run, so that was pretty cool too. Until next year!

<<Instagram Picture>>

The Hottest Half (and 10K)

My friend, Jarrah, and I ran our first 10k at the annual The Hottest Half event.

It all went down last week on a VERY EARLY Sunday morning. I'm not a morning person but when I woke up at 6AM that morning, I was determined to make those 6 miles my b*tch! You see, the night before my whole family came over to cook out. One taco led to another..... and 6 tacos later I was like "fuuuuuuuck!" So I knew this was gonna be no bueno.

This is a picture of me taken around mile 4 or 5. I'm sure I was thinking, "WTF did I get myself into?" or my most frequent thought of that morning, "that old lady is running faster than me!" I finished in 1 hour 20 minutes 24 seconds with my buddy, Jarrah, finishing right behind me. We got a finishers medal too, oh yeah! Afterwards we stuck around for a little bit to enjoy all the free stuff from vendors. I got a free sandwich, powerade, banana, taco, etc. 

Next Year's Challenge: Look like this chick!

Wait not the girl with the hat -_- but challenge accepted!!

Over all it was a great experience but here are some of the things I took/learned from the race.    

1. Run as much as possible leading up to the race AKA no half-ass runs *common sense*

2. Fuel my body properly with the right food AND drink plenty of water.

3. No more eating tacos the night before, that was just dumb.

4. Find a better sports bra.

5. Don't get discourage if that old lady is catching up to me, keep running and finish strong!

7. Type this sentence so I can post this blog and go eat my mom's enchiladas peace!