October 5, 2010

Virtual Races All Around!

10/10/10 Virtual Race Reports:
I decided to participate in two 10k virtual races, Running Diva Mom's 10/10/10 10k race (here) and Running Off at the Mouth's Power of 10 Race to Finish Lupus (here).

I needed to do a 6M marathon pace tempo run as part of my marathon training, so I just decided to make it a 10k instead!
This is the bib I had my boys  make for the race.  My oldest colored it with Color Wonder markers, then my youngest got to pick 10 stickers to put on it! :)

After I dropped my boys off at school, I headed to Wash Park, one of my favorite places to run.  Wash Park has a running trail that goes around the entire park that is around 2.5 miles.  It is always filled with runners, no matter what time of day it is.  It always amazes me how many people come to run around the park, but it is just a beautiful place to run.  Here are some pics I took before heading out.

One of the lakes you run around.















The trail that I run on.  Isn't it beautiful?

Right from the start I thought it would be a great run.  The weather was perfect and I was just excited to get out and run!  I headed out on the trail and when I came to the west side all of the huge sprinklers were on and spraying all over the trail.  At first I thought about running around them to avoid them, but then I changed my mind and just decided to run right through them!  It was sooo much fun!  The water cooled me off a little bit and it just made me smile. I think adults need to spend more time running through sprinklers like our kids do! :)  The only bad thing about it was that the trail got a little wet and muddy, leading to this:
My shoes should be white! :)
Around the 3 mile mark, there was a guy that hopped onto the trail ahead of me.  He was running around the same pace as I was at the beginning, but then started running a little faster.  I was feeling good, so I decided to use him as my pacer and try to stay with him.  We ran one lap around the park, then he stopped at a parking lot.  I think he knew I was behind him the whole time because when he stopped he looked up at  me.  I said, "Thanks for pacing me!" and he laughed and said, "You too!"  It was pretty cool.  

I finished up my run and was really happy with my time! I've never actually done a 10k race, so I have nothing to compare my time to.  But, I ended up running the 10k in 51:38 for an avg. pace of 8:18min/M.  This is a little faster than what I was supposed to run, but oh well!  I was feeling good and having a great time!  

30 comments:

Emz said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Emz said...

OK-the coolest bib ever!

I love that!

YAY AIMEE!!

Pahla said...

I love that your kids made you a race bib! :-) Great job!

Running Diva Mom said...

love the bib! Great job! Thanks for participating in the virtual race -- you rock!

track coach and adorable wife said...

Great job! That really is a beautiful park I wish we had more stuff like that around here! And I love that race bib too!

Teamarcia said...

Totally the coolest bib ever! Great race--beautiful trail--and thanks so much for participating!

Velma said...

Great bib and nice race time :)

ShutUpandRun said...

Nice quick 10K. Wash Park is one of my favorite places to run. See you there on 10/17!

Big Daddy Diesel said...

Nice run, BUT poor, poor, poor ST4's, I am sooo sad for them.

Unknown said...

Love the bib! :) congrats on a great run!

Running and living said...

Great job!

Christi said...

The boys did a great job with the bib! I love Wash Park. I have run there myself. Congrats on the great run speedy!

teacherwoman said...

Congrats on the nice time! Looks like a great place to run! JEALOUS!

Chris said...

When it feels good sometimes you just have to go with it!

Jon said...

That would be so cool if you could customize your bib for every race you do. You could have your kids make every one!

DRog said...

You are a race a holic! nice run and even better you are feeling good AND having a great time thats what its all about:)

Anne-Marie said...

Very cool and great 10k time! The park is really pretty. I always look forward to running through sprinklers on warm days!

Unknown said...

Awesome Aimee! You smashed that 10k! Looks like a fantastic place to run!

Unknown said...

Cute Bib and great time!!

Anonymous said...

I think this virtual race idea is really cool.
Hope your toe is still doing well!

Zaneta @ Runner's Luck said...

love the bib! What a GREAT run! :D

Tiffany @ The Chi-Athlete said...

What a cute idea! :) Great pictures!

Alisa said...

Awwww your kiddos are adorable!

Beautiful lake too. There was a pond near my apt in Boston that I used to always run around, even in the snow.

i've never done an official 10k either.

Jen said...

Awesome bib and fantastic time!! Wow it looks like such a great place to run - and still so green! So fun that you ran through the sprinklers!

Julie said...

Way to go Aimee! Nice speedy virtual 10 K:) Cute bib too!

Anonymous said...

I love that you involved your boys in making your bib! Too cute! And great job with the virtual race :)

Sage said...

Its always great to find a pacer. Looks like a beautiful day for a run.

Jill said...

That is the best bib EVER! YAY!!!!

I love Wash Park in the summer cuz it's so shady and you don't melt to death. I love the surrounding areas, too. Great job on the 10K time :)

AM! said...

It's so fun to see everybody's run trails, paths and roads in the world. you've got a gorgeous path to run, which is sweet!;)

Heather said...

Great Bib! That is a beautiful trail! Good job on your 10K!