Beginners and Beyond

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Mercedes Benz Cotton Row 10k - RR + PR (Obviously its my first :) ) Lots of Pics (Read 123 times)


Dad on the run.

    Ok! Pictures have been fixed so time to get this thing rolling!

     

     

    Before I start my Race Report I would first like to take a moment to say Thank You to any veteran who happens to read this. This country would not be what it is today if not for all those who willingly take up arms to protect this country and its values. My heart felt gratitude goes out to you all and to those who have or has had family serve in the armed forces or who has lost loved ones in the military.

     

    Something that isn't said nearly enough anymore and something I would like to start this RR off with, as it is also how we started our race today!

     

    I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

     

     

     

    To start things off we woke up at 2:50am this morning in order to get up, get ready, take the dogs out, get everything together and be out of the house by 3:45am. From my house its a 2 hour drive to Huntsville and I still needed to pick up my packet which was being held from 6:00am to 6:45am. The drive there went fine! I slept the whole way Smile. At least up to the point where my wife woke me up and said we had passed a Huntsville exit and wanted to know if we went to far. I looked at the GPS and according to it we were going the right way. After looking at it a bit longer I realized the GPS stopped updating and we had passed our exit :/ Luckily we were able to get off at the next exit and only had to back track about 10 minutes so we still arrived in plenty of time to park and pick up the packet.

     

    Once I picked up my packet we walked around for a bit and I decided I would run down a ways and come back to just get things warmed up and see how my leg was feeling. Well it was feeling a bit sore and it made me pretty nervous about the upcoming race, I decided I would just run and see how it went.

     

    6:40 rolls around and all the sudden BOOM!!!! Gun goes off and the announcer informs us that we have 20 minutes and we needed to start lining up. I give out kisses and hugs and everyone wishes me luck. I get in line and realize I totally forgot my Run for Boston bracelet Sad I run back to my wife to see if anyone had theirs on and apparently I'm not the only one who forgot to bring it... oh well, I make my way back in line and stand and wait for the race to start.

     

    I really didn't know what to expect before the race started but everything that followed was really cool. The announcer said a prayer that was very heart warming and actually had me a little choked up. After we said our prayers a world war 2 veteran led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. This was probably the coolest moment in the race. I felt so proud at that moment to be a US citizen. Once that was over another veteran sang America the beautiful followed by 3 very loud shots and then it was go time!

     

    Pledge

     

    Here was the smoke after the firing of the rifle

     

    Now its time to start this race. There was about 2150 participants in the 10k so it took me a little bit to finally make my way to the starting line and really find a pace I felt comfortable I could hold. Here are a few pics of the starting line up

     

    All those people in the front are the elite runners, their finish time is very impressive and I will share some more photos of them later Smile

     

    Elite runner's legs... enjoy (legs for both the men and women)

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Mile 1 starts and I have to bob and weave my way through a boat load of runners. I'm feeling ok, my leg is giving me a little bit of an issue but its nothing race threatening. For the most part this mile was pretty easy and I just kind went with the flow trying to make a conscience effort not to push to hard but try to at least push hard enough that a sub one hour is within my grasp. For the most part the first half of this race is a slow steady incline but nothing difficult. Mile 1 is completed and I'm feeling pretty good about obtaining my goals. 9:18.

     

    Mile 2 was nice and level and so far the weather was still nice and breezy. I felt strong through this mile and was still trying to keep my time in check so I didn't wear myself out before I even got started. Really not much else to say about this mile so mile 2 done. 9:03. A little faster than last mile and still possible for a sub one hour.

     

    Mile 3 came around and it was a bit more difficult, some nice rolling hills and the weather seemed to have gotten just a wee bit hotter. The hills slowed me down a bit but I just kept pushing and told myself I still had time to make that sub one hour. Mile 3 beeps and my time is 9:25. This isn't good. I need to speed it up or I'm not going to make my goal. This is unfortunate to because right at the end of mile 3 is the hill from hell...

     

    First .10 of Mile 4 is the hill from hell and holy crap was it steep. It wasn't a very long hill but it was practically straight up, I tried to run this hill but only made it about half way up before I just said "screw it" and walked the remaining distance. After you top the hill you take a quick right and have to run up hill just a little bit more. My avg pace was like 13 m/m for this hill and I knew I really had to make some time up. Once we topped this hill I over heard someone say it was all downhill from here, Thank God! Maybe I could make up some time and still run this thing under an hour. End of Mile 4 - 9:39. Its not looking good, but I was determined not to give up!

     

    Mile 5 was pretty much downhill the entire way so I just relaxed talked to the ol' guy beside me for about a half a mile and just let the conversation and downhill do its job. Mile 5 - 8:26. I'M STILL IN THIS!!! HURRAH!!

     

    Mile 6, only 1.2 miles left to go, "Just keep moving those legs, push, push, push, you got this!!" I tell myself this, I run through the water sprinkler I grab some water and just keep pushing myself. At this point the course is pretty flat again so it really was all about finding a comfortable cruise level and sticking with it. Mile 6 - 8:41... My paces are all over the place, lol, but I knew I had this race in the bag. Only .2 left to go.

     

    Last .2 I put what little I had left in the gas tank and just ran, I see the banner in the distance and as I approach it I realize there is no chrono mat Sad DAMN IT I'M TIRED!) Just a little further and FINALLY! I cross the finish line. My GPS had me pegged at .26 - 7:32m/m or 1:59.

     

    My first 10k is in the bag and I've achieved my goal! My GPS time was a little off as I started it slightly before I crossed the mat but my chrono time was 56:17 and my clock time was 56:49. I'm beyond happy with the result and really enjoyed this distance!

     

    Before we talk about the elites and how awesome they were here are some pics of me coming up to the finish.

     

     

    FLOATER! Barely...

     

     

     

     

    Now for the impressive part. Here are the elites with some very impressive times! Times of the runner is posted directly below them.

     

    First place winner

     

     

    Second place

    Don't have his time but he was about 10 seconds behind the first place winner.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Now are just some random finish line finishers of no specific order.

     

     

     

     

     

     

    And of course before I end this race report and leave you all wanting more pics I have to show off my family because it just wouldn't be a jblackjr race report if I didn't show up the things I love the most Smile

     

    The other girl in the pic is my sister's friend. I think she is interested in running as well so hopefully I can get her and my sister into it and drag two more people into the world of running Smile

     

     

     

     

     

    Silly kids...

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Some completely random shots

     

     

    From what I understand the first place runner won this!!!

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    I honestly have to say this was the most fun I have had doing a race. The only things that would have really pushed this over the top is if my wife was able to run "still out of commission with a hurt foot". Bobby and Melanie would have been able to come. And last but not least I would have liked Mitch to have been there. Aside from those three things I could not have asked for a more perfect day!

     

    Course

     

    Elevation chart

     

    I finished 831/2105 overall and 59/116 AG. These ranking were based on clock time. My chip time was faster but they did not give ranking based off of chip. Oh well.

    Chasing the sub 20 5K.

    LRB


      How about a drink?  It works for me!


      Sloooow.

        Don't get frustrated, you'll get it. Looking forward to your RR.


        Dad on the run.

          haha, I have 258 pictures to sort through, its not a matter of uploading its a matter of resizing. I really don't feel like resizing a picture at a time. I have a batch job running now that is resizing them all. RR to come shortly Smile

          Chasing the sub 20 5K.


          delicate flower

            I am ignoring this thread.

            <3

            Docket_Rocket


              What happened to your RR thread?  It's not here and now you're ignoring us!

               

              Oops, I didn't ignore you.

              Damaris

               

              As part of the 2024 London Marathon, I am fundraising for VICTA, a charity that helps blind and visually impaired children. My mentor while in law school, Jim K (a blind attorney), has been a huge inspiration and an example of courage and perseverance. Please consider donating.

              Fundraising Page

              LRB


                You can re-size pics in within the thread after you post them by tapping on it once then dragging it down to the size you want it.

                Supersono99


                  Great job, you really picked it up after the hill! I enjoyed the pics, too. Very cute family. Congrats on meeting your goal.

                    Great job! Most importantly - sounds like you had fun! Expecting to see a lot more RR's & PR's.

                     

                    P.S.: even better than the elite legs were some of the elite abs.

                    Dave

                    lsp


                    Lump Off

                      So glad to see all those pictures.  It was such a great race but I never got to see the fast runners.  And that hill - ugh!

                       

                      I looked for you (simple - find the completely adorable family wearing Boston bracelets).  Well, I guess that bracelet part fell through and there were so many adorable families.

                       

                      Congrats on your 10k!!

                      hog4life


                        Jimmy, congrats on a wonderfully run race. I knew you would really enjoy this one, and I just hate it that I couldn't be there. I run 55 something last year as my 1st 10k and was really looking forward to getting a big PR. This one is not a good course for that though; it means much more as you stated. I hope we can both do this one next year. Did you meet any of the guys that have run ALL 34 CR's? Amazing!

                        Docket_Rocket


                          Great job!  Thanks for sharing the pics.

                          Damaris

                           

                          As part of the 2024 London Marathon, I am fundraising for VICTA, a charity that helps blind and visually impaired children. My mentor while in law school, Jim K (a blind attorney), has been a huge inspiration and an example of courage and perseverance. Please consider donating.

                          Fundraising Page

                          Zelanie


                            Looks like a fun race!  And with that kind of prize for first, no wonder the fast guys showed up! Smile

                            tracilynn


                              Congrats to you for beating your goal!  Your time is fantastic and that hill is a killer.  No one runs that hill.  I always look at the local running clubs pictures that they take at the top of that hill and everybody looks like zombies.  Ha.

                              Enjoyed the pics.  I really want to do this one next year if my body cooperates.  Cotton Row was my very first race.

                              ~~~~~~~

                              Traci

                               

                              GinnyinPA


                                Congratulations on running such a good race.  Aside from the one hill, it sounds like a nice one for the runners.  I hope the family had fun too.  I bet your wife was wishing she were running too.  Next year?

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