I am still recovering from the "little" 15k race I did yesterday. There were a few rolling hills in it. Actually, they were more like rolling mountains, but what can you expect from a race that claims to be the "South's Toughest 15k" and the route is almost entirely in a city south of downtown Birmingham called Mountain Brook.
The race course is a point to point race starting near Vulcan Park and the Vulcan statue and ending near Liberty Park and Birmingham's own version of the Statue of Liberty. My running partner, L and I got to the race start early to meet another friend M and to pick up our race packets. There was a blue and yellow ribbon in all the race packets to wear in support of Boston and the bombing that took place during the Boston Marathon. Also, $1 of all the race entries is being donated to help the victims of the bombing. I think the Red Cross was there to take blood, but I'm not sure and I needed my blood after running those hills so, like I said, I'm really not sure if they were there or not. I didn't look for the blood mobile. I'm kind of a chicken that way!
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| Image from mRuns.com |
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| Image from mRuns.com |
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| Image from mRuns.com |
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| Images from mRuns.com |
The morning started out an usually chilly 40 degrees F, but quickly warmed up and turned out to be a beautiful day. I haven't run this race in about 8 years or more and really didn't remember it being so hilly and tough. The biggest hill is around mile 7 and it was steeper than I remember and I walked more of it this time than I remember doing the past times I've run this race, but that's okay because I'm much older too! I also may have a mental block on the hills.
My goal time was under 1 hour 20 minutes and I made it in 1:19:33 so I was very happy with that time even though it put me fourth in my age group. Since the third place winner did right at 1 hour and 11 minutes, I didn't feel too bad. There are just some freaking fast 45 - 49 year old women here in Birmingham! And it is a tough race!
I probably won't be living in Birmingham next year to do this race, but I am so glad I got to do it this year before I leave and for those of you who live in Birmingham, I highly recommend it. You will appreciate the pain! I promise! It will make you mentally tough or maybe just mental! Anyway, today my quads are a tiny bit sore and I'm walking around kind of funny, but by tomorrow I'm sure I'll be good as new.
This was my fourth weekend race in a row and I'm not sure what I'll be doing next weekend since I have nothing on the schedule for once. Might be a good weekend to get a long bike ride in or there is a triathlon about an hour away from Birmingham that I could do. We'll see!
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| Image from David Christy Photography |
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Image from David Christy Photography
The real statues that the race is named after...
Image from Wikipedia.com
Image from birminghamrealestate.com
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Wow! Kuddos to you. Wish I had just an ounce of your dedication my friend. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you! The trick is staying motivated without getting burned out. I haven't learned it yet but it feels great when the level of motivation is high. That's the "phase" I'm in right now.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on being able to take the hills and still come out in the top 4
ReplyDeleteThanks! My legs are still sore!
DeleteGood job on your time. The course looks great, so nice that its almost a shame to run by all the beautiful trees and scenery.
ReplyDeleteThat neighborhood is probably the nicest in the Birmingham area. Definitely the most expensive. Old money! There are lots of trees, big older houses, cute shops, sidewalks. A great place to run/walk.
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