Run Your Bass Off 10K

My small town has a race entitled, "Run Your Bass Off".  There's a 10K, a Half Bass (3.6), and a 2 mile walk.

Quite a few months ago, I invited my parents and siblings to stay at our house and participate in the race.  It was to be a family reunion of sorts; our closest family lives eight hours away.

My mom, little sister, and I signed up for the 10K.

My brother-in-law complained of sore knees and therefore signed up for the 5K.

My brother and his girlfriend joined the family in the event by signing up for the 2 mile walk.

My other sister wasn't able to join in on the fun.  =(

My stepfather was willing to stay at my house with all of the children:  11 yr niece, Lil' Chef, Mr. T, Squeaker, 5 yr niece, Trouble, 2 yr nephew, and Lots of Hair.  That's eight children!  I'm so fortunate to have a dad like him in my life.  Plus, he's never had children of his own ... I was praying that no diapers need to be changed.  Luckily, the race was five minutes from my house.

I had two goals for the race:  beat last weekend's 10K time and finish ahead of my mother.

In last weekend's 10K race, my average pace was 10:35.  I set my virtual partner at 10:30.  Should I name him Gunner??

Mile 1:  9:50
     My mom stayed in front of me for the entire first mile. 

Mile 2:  9:55
     Ate a bug.  I passed my mom on the descent.  I truly enjoy flying down hill.  I guess with my long legs I can really open up my stride.  I'm way in front of Gunner.

Mile 3:  11:06
     Major hill ... see elevation:

Mile 4:  10:27
     I was thirsty.  I felt that there wasn't enough water stations on the course.  I made a note in my log to bring my handheld water bottle next year.  I'm still in front of Gunner, but he has closed the gap some.

Mile 5:  11:08
  The last big hill.  I noticed that many women in front of me started walking.  Since I've practiced this route many times, I kept running knowing that it was going to start tapering off soon.  I gained considerable ground on them.

Mile 6:  10:36
     I really tried to pick up the pace.  I'm in front of Gunner, but not by much.  I just need to keep the pace and I'll beat him.  My legs were like rubber from the hills and part of this stretch of the course was sand.  Have you ever tried running on sand at the beach with shoes on?

Last 0.2:  8:30
     My little sister was yelling at me to pick it up.  I am so fortunate to have wonderful family members who support my running.  Sometimes, you need a little "Jillian".  (Think of Jillian Michaels yelling at you)
Coming into the finish:

I look like I'm going so slow...but I'm running a 8:10 pace at this moment.

1:04:32
(10:27 pace)

new PR!!!

10/11 in age group; 33/39 in women;  68/78 overall

The Runners:
Brother-in-law, 30:06 Half / Mom, 65:57 10K / Me / Sister, 53:47 10K
My brother-in-law placed 2nd in his age group!

The entire group: