HCA 8K - Run

I had originally signed up for the half marathon last winter. Work stress and crazy hours through the summer and peak build left my training in a less than ideal place. I knew a half wouldn't work so I dropped back to the 8K race and did the training team. I had initially placed myself in a predicted time of under 45 minutes based on my past 8K's--I knew that was a stretch for where my legs are these days so I hopped in a slower wave for the start. which was definitely a wise call.
So after all this trying to stay warm pre race I know I have to get moving to warm up fully. I just ran smart with what my head and legs said they had. Got slowed a bit with the congestion at the beginning of the course but it thinned out fairly well by mile 1. I had a #megsmiles stickler on my back and someone passed me telling me to run Meg-strong which was my plan. Run smart, run hard, listen to the legs.
Hit mile 2 and it was slowed a bit through the water station. Grabbed a cup and got moving.
Made the turn off Broad St and someone near me commented that we were almost half way. Then we hit the darn cobblestones. Sheesh those things are tough to run on! The sun was in my eyes and silly me left my sunglasses in the car. Pulled my hat down so the visor would block the sun more and kept moving. Man with a little boy running near me kid couldn't have been 8. He was doing great keeping up with his father.
Made the right turn and headed toward mile 4, finally off the cobbles and back on regular road. It was weird seeing the signage for the half and full marathons cause I kept trying to see the 8K signs--hit the last turn and headed down the hill to Tredegar. All I kept telling myself was to not face plant on the hill cause all I could envision was cracking teeth. Hit the finish and waited for my training team buddies

nothing, this was what my legs had in them and I made it my goal to run smart with what I had---not with what what I wanted to have.

warm down? It's still freezing out!! Finally found John and got my sweatshirt back. Then after using the portapotty I found my sweatpants. Was still shivering and far too cold in the wind so after walking around a while (hoping to find some more of the megsmiles team) we headed to the car. Found a coffee shop and grabbed coffee while we circled the block trying to find the parking garage.


cranky legs


Sportsbackers does an awesome job with their races. I had never done the training team before and would totally do training team again. It made things more fun and sociable to run.

****I have a half dozen pictures that I keep getting error messages on when I try to upload them, If you are my Facebook friend I have them there****