My 10K(atie)

The Narrow River 10k, put on by the Narrow River Preservation Association and sponsored by a slew of local environmental organizations, was a very serene race for me. No drama or tears (thank goodness). It was peaceful and uneventful, really.

The race was set to start at 10am and it was a 45 minute drive for me so I awoke at 7am to allow ample time for breakfast, the drive, registration, and the warm up... which I never really do... its more of a jump around, loosen up, and get psyched with other runners thing. I pretend to stretch - dip down to my toes, pull my foot behind me up to my butt - but I am not really stretching. I think its more of me just trying to look the part of a real runner.

Ha.

I met one of my BFFs, Katie, at the registration desk which happened to be on a pavillion at the entrance to the beach. Ahh. The beach. It smelled of summer. And being that it was hella early in the AM, there was not a soul to be seen walking the cool sandy shore.



By nature, Katie is faster than me. She is one of those people that can go out and run a 50 minute 10k with no training whatsoever. She is sickingly innately athletic and I loathe love her for it. (Really, I love you, K.) She calls me her "pace car" because when we run together, with whatever breath I can muster up, I complain until she slows down and she claims that this is beneficial to her because she fears she would burn out if it weren't for me. But really, I think she would probably have done a 45 minute 10k if not for my slow self.

At last year's Blessing of the Fleet 10 miler, which Katie and I "prepped" for together (I would not call it "train"... because I did not know what training programs were before my half marathon), I thought it would be a wise idea to start out with Miss Fasty McFast and I naively thought it would help push me through 10 miles. She was psyched because I was there to keep her grounded.

Well, that plan foiled. We started out doing under 8 minute miles and I was out of gas by mile 4 which made for a horrible 6 mile finish... for me... alone. Katie, the little sprite, finished in under 85 minutes, with ease... of course.

So - going into this past race, our first race together since the Blessing, I had my wits about me.

At the start line I said to her, "Listen here, little woman. I will not be going fast. I will be going slow. If you want to run with me... you will be going slow too. I will not be dragged along like your chubby little puppy." She laughed it off and assured me she wanted to run with me and that she is "out of shape".

(Blah blah blah, half pint.)

The gun sounded and we were off. We were clipping. Clipping, I tell you.

I said, "Katie!? What (pant, pant) are you (pant, pant) doooinnnggg? Slow (pant) your (pant) butt (pant) DOWN!" She didn't.

Nor did I.

"What am I doing?" kept repeating in my mind. Then I started mind-singing "chiggity check yo self before you wreck yo self" and all was well.

I just kept running. A half a step behind Katie, frequently reminding her that I would not be offended if she wanted to go ahead.

The course, an out and back loop through scenic waterfront streets, was actually pretty hillacious which added to the drama of me running with the gazelle Katie. She darted forward, pushing through the hills, wanting to "get it over with" while I heaved myself up what seemed like mountains... breathless by the summit.

At mile 4.5, we were smack dab in the middle of hilly hilltown and I lost the gusto to try and keep step with my sherpa. I jogged up the hill about 10 paces behind her and was able to catch her on the plateau (it doesn't matter that she jogged in place, waiting for me... I caught her dammit).

As we rounded on to the last leg of the race, with about 1 mile left, Katie looked at me to see if there was any indication of me rearing to leap ahead and sprint to the finish. I huffed and puffed and said, "Not yet...(pant, pant, pant) I am not (pant, pant, pant) ready yet... but YOU... (pant, pant) YOU GO RIGHT... ahead."

(Pant, pant, pant, pant.)

And whoosh. Meep meep (think Looney Tunes)... she was gone. And there I was, running in the blissful sun, all by my lonesome, no tears, no fears.

As I watched Katie fade into kickingmyassland, I gradually started to pick up my pace and wound into my last 1/2 mile (after waving a tired hello to Kerry and family, gracious supporters!!).

With about 500 yards to go, I stepped it up to a full out sprint and gave it all I had, crossing the finish at a PR of 53:23.

I immediately tried to do the math in my head to figure out my splits (I always forget to hit my watch at mile markers) but too much sun and not enough agua... I was useless. We caught up with another friend post-race and she informed me that I did under 8:40 per mile. Hell yea, I thought.

So, while I was very apprehensive going into the race, worried that running with Katie could backfire again, I realized that I am MUCH more conditioned this year and pushing myself through the doubts and thoughts of stopping or dropping back earlier was VERY rewarding. Another milestone for this little strugglepants.

Thanks for running with me, Katie. I love you!!!