Monday, March 10, 2008

Do cute shoes make you faster? (Oh, and my race report!)



It has been fun trying to find out! I just bought these shoes and they are the first "cute" ones I have owned. I wasn't sure if I liked them at first, but Saturday's race was amazing and they felt great!
So, if you ask Suzie, running an out-and-back 3 times is not her idea of a good race, but I LOVE this race. It is a 30k race (18.6 miles), but it is a 10k course repeated 3 times. It is a very mild course with only one little hill. I will admit the little hill did not feel so little the 3rd time I ran up it, but other than that, it was a perfect race for me. It was beautiful weather and I was with good friends. What more can you ask for? It was my friend, Amy's, first 10k and I really wanted her to have a great experience. I am happy to say that she had a great race and beat her goal by almost 20 minutes!! Go Amy!! Sticky Niki was also there running her first 10k and had a great race also. I hope she will write up a race report.(With pictures, hint hint!!)
My main goal was to keep my heart rate under control. I was kind of using this race as a practice for Salt Lake City. I wanted to prove to myself that I could run a "smart" race, not start off too fast, and still end with a respectable time. I also wanted to prove that it isn't so scary to run faster than my normal long run pace. I also had a goal to beat my time from 2 years ago which was 2:50. My secret goal was to get a 2:40. My final time was 2:41(an average of 8:41 miles), so I was very pleased! I was almost 2 minutes behind Speedy Suziepetunia, so I was happy with that. Someday we will finish a race together. (SLC, maybe?!) The best part is just how great I felt during most of the race. Even at the end, I still felt like I could push it more, but I wanted to be ready for this next week of training. I have a tough week ahead of me this week, but I know the speedwork is what has been making me stronger so I gotta keep on keepin' on.
If you want to check out the scenery of this beautiful race and lots and lots of pics of Suzie(please don't be mad at me...), check this out. She always looks much better in running pics.
Here is one of me.
Here is one of both of us.
Here is my friend Amy
Niki, there are some great ones of you, but I thought I would give you a chance to post which ones you want!
Okay, that is enough I really need to go to bed. I hope you can tell by the pics how beautiful the course is. It is the 4th time I have run in this park and I just really enjoy it.
Thanks for all of your support! I love hearing all of your stories. Keep us posted!

8 comments:

Suzie Petunia said...

That is a GREAT picture of Amy! She looks so happy!

But... Bllaaaaaahh! Those pictures of me... especially the ones toward the end where I've taken off my jacket. Hello, muffin-top and flat boobs! I think I'd rather imagine myself as one of those people on the front of Runners World magazine. Reality can be very shocking! I don't like seeing pictures where it looks like I'm walking when I was really running hard!. I promise I was running really hard! Is my stride really that low? I look like a race-walker. But maybe technically I am and I could compete or something. ;)

Team Hanni said...

Cute shoes! Way to go on your time!!! The speedwork is working!

You all look so cute running!

I wish there were more 30K races around. I would love to be able to do one of these to prepare for a marathon. That is such a huge jump from half to full.

Way to go everyone!

foxontherun said...

I'm so glad you had a great race! And to both of you the pics are great. You should see the pics out there of me. I look like I'm about to pass out. (I am about to pass out)

Ang said...

Kelly,

You are so ready for SLC!!! Way to go. You might as well just sign up for Boston next year right now!! Way to go! (Totally cute shoes!)

Suzie,

You are so funny. YOU LOOK GREAT! There are plenty of women who would love to have your "muffin top" and "flat boobs." Trust me, my muffin top makes yours look like a six pack! :) Awesome time by the way!


Sticky Niki and Amy,

Woooohoooooo! Way to go on your first 10K. My first 10K was one year ago and now I'm training for a marathon. Crazy huh. I'm glad you enjoyed it and can't wait for the race report with pics. (Another hint!) :)

Molly said...

Has anyone ever actually bought one of the race photos? I also have been very unhappy with my photographers(and it is all the photographers fault right?). I like how you managed to smile in yours Kelly.
Great job eveyone on your times. I can't wait to have 2 (or more) running friends that are going to Boston that I can brag about.

lisamarie said...

You ladies sure are inspiring! Nice job - and I think you all look great!

LCM said...

Nothing made me happier than my pink shoes. I am not much of a pink person, but it's amazing what a cheerful pair of shoes will do for you, especially in the exercise department.

cherl said...

Yes. Cute shoes WILL make you run faster. So will new running clothes. ;)