Cloudy, cool and misty

Cloudy weather, cool temperatures and misty rain happen to be my perfect running combination. This past Sunday those exact conditions came together and I ran the best race of my life. Amanda, Nicole and I had signed up to run the Parkway 10 miler a few months ago as a fun race to do together. Well Nicole had to go and get pregnant (we're all excited to meet baby princess Nicole) so it didn't end up being the girls race we anticipated but Amanda and I trekked out to Mount Vernon first thing Sunday morning anyway. All week the weather predicted sun and high 70's. This would be a very bad combination for a non-sweating running such as myself. As luck would have it though we woke up Sunday morning to temperatures in the 50's and a thick cloud coverage. Perfect.

We stood in line to get on the bus to take us to Mount Vernon and nearly froze to death but that was okay. The bus was warm and when we got to Mount Vernon they had space blankets for us while we waited. We hit the porta potty line and then got some water and soon it was time to line up. Amanda and I usually start the race at the same point and then quickly go our separate ways. This race was no different. We got out on the open road and said our good luck's and split ways at that moment something happened. I just felt like it was going to be a good race. My ankle is better the weather was perfect and it was only 10 miles so I told myself to just let go and see how it went. I made it to mile 5 still feeling good and figured I should just keep going for it. I know this course well since it follows the trail so I also knew that there were plenty of hills left ahead of me. I tried to keep myself at a pace that felt good but that was still a push and in my head tried to calculate my mile pace (I really need a Garmin.)

I got to mile 8 and turned the corner into Old Town and onto a familiar street. I ran down by my parents house and saw the finish up ahead and just went for it. I crossed in 1 hour and 16 minutes. I paced a 7:38 mile for 10 straight miles. I was pleased. It felt so good to just run, really let loose and run and not have to factor in the sun or the heat. The misty in the air did a fabulous job of cooling me off and keeping my body temperature in check and the best part about the race, I grabbed a water bottle and headed up the hill the 7 blocks to my house. By the time Amanda walked in and showered I was dressed and there were egg and cheese sandwiches ready to eat. It was a great race. If only all races had such perfect weather. Now onto the next one!