4th of July 10k...

Yep, that's right, I ran yesterday. Funny story though...

I finally met the Fayetteville Running Club for a run, after over a year of putting it off. They were joining Team Red White and Blue for a 4th of July run. Nothing fancy and no timing or placing. Just a bunch of people getting together to run in support of our troops, injured soldiers, and our country. What better way to celebrate the 4th of July? If you haven't hear of Team RWB or don't know much about them then you really should check them out HERE. It's such a great organization dedicated to helping and supporting wounded veterans and their families.

I got up and got ready for my longest run since Big Sur and the knee issue. I used my new prescription Flector Patch and it seemed to work well. I put a compression knee brace over it, otherwise I am not sure it would have lasted the entire run with the sweat and humidity.

All morning I had planned to do the 5k but as soon as we started running no one in front of me had turned off yet to take the shorter route and I didn't want to be the blind leading the blind so I kept going for the 10k. I was feeling good, hot and thirsty, but good. I had no knee pain and only a bit of calf pain. I adjusted my pace (i.e. slowed down a lot) and settled in for 5.2 miles.

Yeah, 5.2. Somehow, in my thirsty, hot, hungry brain the math made perfect sense. A 5k is 3.1 miles so obviously a 10k is 5.2 miles...so I ran. When I came to Special Operations Museum (our starting point) I was at about 4.7 miles so I kept going, along with a few other who were close by. But when my Garmin chirped 5 miles I decided to turn and head back to the museum. After all a 10k is 5.2 miles. Right? One lady said something as I was running towards the finish and I replied, "A few others kept going straight, I have no idea where they are going but it's 5 miles at the turnabout. I turned there." Well, the others were going to run an actual 10k and were going to turn around at the designated turn around spot so that they would run a full 6.2 miles...Duh... 


It did not hit me that I didn't actually run a 10k until much later in the day, like after lunch, that I had only run 5.2 miles...Wow. I felt pretty smart at that moment when I realized that 3.1 + 3.1 =6.2.... Hey, I never claimed to be a mathmatician. Either way 5.2 miles was a very good starting point for me and a huge confidence booster. It was my longest run since April 29th and it was for the most part pain free. It is good not to push it at this point. I consider the run a success, despite my obvious deficit in math skills.

I had a great time wit the FRC and Team RWB. I look forward to many more events and there was some talk of a triathlon....yeah that's right, it may be time to get back in the saddle. It just hasn't been the same this summer without a tri every weekend. I am pretty antsy to get back in the water and on the bike. And you know you have missed all my Adventures in Tri-ing...

Here is a cool video of the run that one of the Team RWB members created. Thanks Mike for letting me post it here.

And what better way to relax after a hot and sweaty run? I met J-Ninja for a relaxing pedicure before we head to Maui...oh wait, had I not mentioned that yet? Ok, fine...I'm not really going with her and her hubby but I supported her by going to give my feet some TLC with her.

I hope you all had a fun and safe 4th of July!!

So has anyone else completely jacked up the race distance math or is that just me? Please say it's not just me.....