After months of hard work, training, and aches and pains, I finally started and finised my first race. As you've read previously, I started the Couch to 10k program in October. Just after the first of the year I had to take a couple weeks off due to tendinitis issues in my right leg. A week and a half ago it my leg started feeling better so I started back at the running. I had already signed up for a race, but instead of a 10k (6.2miles) I signed up for a 9 miler. Once I had to take time off from training, I knew 9 miles was not feasible. Instead I stepped it back down to the 4 mile race.
The night before I made a list of items I thought would be good to take. Quite a few items were a "just in case" deal. I made sure I had my shoes all set with the race transponder in the laces. Got my shirt all pinned up with my number along with the rest of my running attire laid out. It was going to be cold in the morning.
Cold it was...in the teens. I got up at 6am, had some toast with honey, grabbed a couple bananas and off to feed the horses. I skipped making coffee and instead had 24oz of water with two packets of Emergen-C. While at the horses I realized I did not put my shirt on with the number pinned to it. Luckily I gave myself enough time to stop home to get it. I then stopped by Walmart to pick up a pair of gloves. I arrived at the US National Whitewater Center around 8am. Plenty of time to warmup....as good as one can warmup in 20°F. I changed into my Xterra trail running shoes and decided to leave my windbreaker on. Then got my Garmin heartrate transmitter strapped around my chest.
Just before 9am event organizers had everyone gather in the staging area. They informed us that the 13 and 9 mile races would start together at 9am. The 4 mile race would start 10 minutes later. The pic to the left shows the start of the 13/9. Notice the guy's shirt that I've pointed out.
The night before I made a list of items I thought would be good to take. Quite a few items were a "just in case" deal. I made sure I had my shoes all set with the race transponder in the laces. Got my shirt all pinned up with my number along with the rest of my running attire laid out. It was going to be cold in the morning.
Just before 9am event organizers had everyone gather in the staging area. They informed us that the 13 and 9 mile races would start together at 9am. The 4 mile race would start 10 minutes later. The pic to the left shows the start of the 13/9. Notice the guy's shirt that I've pointed out.

All the 4 milers were gathered at the start line watching the official clock count down. As it hit 0 the group was off. For some reason everyone stopped, went back, and started laughing. Appently even though the clock said start, we were not to go yet. The group gathered back up and waited for the OFFICIAL start. AND WE'RE OFF!!
The last mile I found many runners starting to hit a wall I guess. My stomach was feeling a bit odd, but I ran through it and worked it out. Many others started walking, so I was able to pass quite a few. According to my Garmin I knew we were close. I didn't try pushing it any faster since I felt my pace was still pretty good. The last stretch was round a corner and up a hill to the finish line. Crossed the finish strong and feeling great. Not once through the whole run did my tendinitis flare up. Now right after the event is a different case. I walked around to cooldown and grabbed a free coffee which hit the spot. Went back to my truck to wrap ice on my leg and down a couple more waters with Emergen-C.
I'm so glad I went ahead and did the 4 mile race at least. Wish I would have had someone there to cheer me on. Unfortunaly my wife was at a conference in Chattanooga and I didn't want anyone else to suffer in the cold just for my little race. All I can say is that I'm hooked on running now. They say you need to do something for 3 months before it becomes a habit, well I've been running since October so I guess it's a habit now. Finished 51st out of 225. My pace averaged 9:30/mile....not too shabby.
Place Div No. Name Age S City St Time
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51 11 190 Timothy Worden 34 M Iron Station NC 34:36
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51 11 190 Timothy Worden 34 M Iron Station NC 34:36