26.2 For Her: Freeze Your Thorns Off 5K

Today--I completed the Freeze Your Thorns Off 5K, Sponsored by The Boring Runner!

I have been commited to this race for awhile, but Monday set me back. I have been dealing with wisdom teeth pain for about 2 years now. Well really, much longer than that--but it really started getting bad once they started getting cavities Anyway...long story short--Wisdom tooth #1 (the worst of the 4) was pulled on Monday. It was a rough pull, with just local numbing--and I have been trying to deal with the pain and baby it back to health!! :)

Anyway--long story short--I haven't gotten to exercise AT ALL this week :( Usually I can fit in a run or SOMETHING during the week, however--it was just not happening this week.

I was cautious as I went out to run my 5K. I honestly didn't know what to expect, but I knew that if something felt off I was going to slow down and take it easy. It IS a race, but having to deal with dry sockets or starting the healing process over is NOT my ideal of fun.

I set out--I have to say for being the middle of January, it was a lovely 40* with barely any wind to speak of, and the roads were completely clear of any and all snow! A perfect day for a beautiful run!

(Where I started. And me at the Start!)

Mile 1 was fabulous--I kept my "goal" pace of under 11 minutes (I am NOT a fast runner by any means!) and clocked Mile 1 in 10:58! Right on track with how I wanted the rest of the race to go. I was starting to get in a nice groove and was feeling great! Then, I decided that I wanted to take a picture mid-run. This SHOULD have been pretty simple, I run with my iPhone because I like listening to Pandora while I run. So--I took out my phone, snapped a picture (see below) and then...all heck broke loose :( I ended up pausing and then ENDING my run on Nike+. I had done 1.17 miles at that point--so I set up a new run (all while trying to keep at least a slow run going). I got it all set up, but it really threw off my time.

The infamous picture! :) I love running this path--it is so simple, so peaceful, so beautiful!

So miles 2 and 3--I really have no idea my pace because they were on a different run. I lost some time, and my groove--therefore making the run that much harder :(

I however--finished strong with a 35:53 race time! Not spectacular, and definitely not my PR--but, it is what it is! I feel pretty good about this--especially given I thought I was going to have to walk a good portion of this race (and ended up not having to at all!).

The Finish line! :) And me at the finish line!!