The 10K Roundup

Mark caught my "kick" in the final stretch - and by kick I mean lead feet. Let's just say today's 10K was a learning experience. When I tweeted that I was wondering if I should eat this morning, I chose about 4 Sport Beans and that was it. Should have had a GU or a bar. Lesson learned. I was about 1.5 miles in when all I wanted to do was walk. My splits are as follows. I'm posting this as a reminder to myself to #1: eat before the race and #2: don't go out too fast.:

Mile 1: 8:08 (Definitely went out too fast; this mile includes the Taylor-Southgate bridge)
Mile 2: 7:40 (Seriously, why did I think I could hold this pace?)
Mile 3: 7:55 (Pushed up the Licking River Bridge even though I wanted to walk)
Mile 4: 9:14 (Walked up part of the CWB Bridge feeling lightheaded & a touch nauseous)
Mile 5: 8:37 (Barely remember this, just remember walking some up the hill on Main)
Mile 6: 7:59 (A nice downhill & flat section of the course)
Last .2: 1:32 (Mark snapped the fuzzy pic above...kinda captures how I was feeling at that point)
Final Time: 51:09...As I crossed the finish line, the announcer said GRETCHEN..........Muh-HAN

Jackie was at the finish and waved to me, giving me a knowing look about name pronunciation. Update: I found a great video that Jackie made of today's events.

All in all, this was a fun race and a beautiful morning. I bumped into Kelly at the finish line, and we wandered around for a while. She said the announcer called her Kelly Mathew. Beautiful. The Mah- names never disappoint in public address situations.

Can I just say that seeing Denise Austin at the start was awesome? I eagerly joined in her warm-up stretches, but Dan was a little too cool for Denise. It was all a front; I know he loves Denise.

Since I didn't eat until after the race, I didn't have any coffee this morning. Classify this as mistake #3 today. I took a great nap once I got home, but ever since then, I've been cringing under the cloud of the worst caffeine withdrawal headache I've ever had.

For now, it's Derby time. The other first-weekend-in-May tradition for me. Instead of mint juleps & Kentucky Browns, it will be water and pasta. I'm still on the hook for 13 miles tomorrow with Dad.