Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Isn't it ironic...

Don't you think? A little too ironic. The week I declare that "I most likely will never win my age group"... I win my age group in a race. It definitely was a low participation race and the smallest race I have seen in some time. My chances of winning go up tremendously when there are only around 100 runners. I have never won my age group so I'll take it :) AND, for the record, there were at least 3 people in my age group because there were 2nd and 3rd place awards given. Oh, the BLIMPIE sponsored 12k? NO blimpie sandwiches at the finish. More irony...

This was the best weekend I have had in six months. I did not have to work, I had a great race, it was perfect. I showed up for the race bright and early at 6:30 only to be told the 5k started at 7:30 and the 12k started at 8:30. As I contemplated taking a nap in my car, I ran into a friend from Lifetime Fitness who was with me for my first 5k a couple years back. She was bitten by the bug as well and has competed in multiple races (I think 3 or 4 marathons since that 5k).

My friend is also a member of the running group I was with earlier in the year. I had stopped participating because of job number two but was thinking of hooking back up now that my Saturdays were mostly free again. As it turns out she is learning to swim and is with the triathlon segment of the running group now. My ears perked right up! I like the running group but REALLY wanted to find a tri group close to home. They swim on Tuesday nights and bike on Thursdays. PERFECT for my schedule. I am going to meet them this Thursday for the ride. I am so excited about bumping into my friend and joining with the tri group.

Running the race, getting a decent time and running into my friend all felt like a series of things that were meant to happen. The race gave me a boost of confidence and inspiration that I needed. It just felt good. The distance wasn't all that long but I haven't really been running all that much lately so it felt good to run a little over 7 miles and not really have any issues. It was getting to the point where mentally I wondered if I could do it. Sad but true. The tri group, a bonus!
Isn't it funny how one event can turn your whole outlook and give you that spark you needed? There might just be a 70.3 in my future... All I need is to log some miles on the bike!

10 comments:

Teamarcia said...

No Blimpie sands? What a travesty! Congrats on the AG win--never say never! : )

That Pink Girl said...

Way to go winning your age group! Doesn't matter how small the race, YOU still won! Congratulations!!!

Jennifer said...

How excellent is that! Hardware! You deserve it so much, you have been working and making positive things happen, good for you!

Ewa said...

See, you DID win. So don't say there MIGHT be but that there WILL be 70.3 in your future.
Congrats!

Lindsay said...

congrats on the AG win!!! :) even if there weren't a 2nd, 3rd, etc place i would totally still claim it.

Lauren said...

Wow that sounds like a great weekend for you! Congrats!

ShirleyPerly said...

Congrats on the AG win!!

Does sound odd that a key sponsor had no obvious presence at the race. Glad you have found a local tri group to train with. After 4 years in tris, I finally have one (they're new) and the sport is so much more fun.

Tina @GottaRunNow said...

Congrats on first place! Hope you received a special award - maybe a coupon for a free sandwich?

AZ said...

You won?!? How cool is that? Maybe a glimpse into the future. (Your future has a lot of small races.)

Joanne said...

Great job on the age group win!
You looking into a tri? Do you have a marathon scheduled? Sorry if you talked about that before, but I just discovered your blog. Love to read blogs of other runners. AND....I'm contemplating a tri but have yet to do my first marathon in October. I figure I'll take on the distance running and cycling then get into swimming come winter. .... maybe ;)