Finally a first place victory! (Mule Haul recap)

After a three mile run on Saturday evening, I decided that I would do the Mule Haul on Sunday.  It is a 5 mile race, slower than a 5k, and it was 5 minutes from my house.   I stalked the race results from last year and seen the woman’s winner ran 31 minutes so I knew I wouldn’t be winning but I figured I would def place in my age group… and that was fine with me.

I arrived at 8AM and registered and then warmed up a bit. I felt good and I ran into quite a few people I knew (the bonus of a local race), so I felt comfortable for the most part.  The race went off at 9AM and I took off with the front pack.  It was just me and a bunch of guys.  I was getting nervous. I was thinking, “Maybe I went out too fast, what if I die?!” Around 1.5 miles this young ran right by me.  All I could think was “Here we go again…”  I just kept her in sight and kept on trucking…. I kept my head down because part of the race was on grass and I didn’t want to turn an ankle and just kept pushing forward.  As we approached mile 3 I realized I was making ground and catching her… so I kept surging forward. Just past the 3 mile marker, I finally caught her and surged ahead, and then she surged back.  I looked over at her and said “go get those guys”…. she kind of giggled but didn’t surge.  I decided to take a risk and go… and so I did… and just kept going.  The last 400m you come out back onto the road where all the spectators are and all I could think was “Shit! I’m going to be the first girl!” I kicked it in and right before the finish line I seen Ella and Michael standing and waiting… it’s soooo hard not to get emotional, however, instead.. I just looked over, smiled and waved….and finished the last 10m to my victory.

I know it’s hard to tell bc I look like a total spaz, but this is me finishing… I’m waving and smiling to Mike and Ella… so not “pretty’

 

 

I really needed a race like this to build my confidence back up.  I think to myself, should I be proud that I beat a 14 year old… and then I realize yes I should.  I’m 31, a mother of two, and I work full time and you know what….I’m still out there doing it…and sometimes I even win;)