So today was the First Run of the Coventry Woods Trail Run Series in Pottstown, PA. My husband and I signed up for this series a month or so back and immediately I was very excited that Jimmy decided to run a few races with me. Last year a few of us did the Color Run at night and we were the only 3 people really running and my husband was pretty bummed that it wasn't a timed event. I knew at that point I could get him to sign up for another race but I was thinking it too would have to be a 5k. Many people who do not run often will willingly sign up for a 5k with you but I'm pertain certain it's a rare bread of people that will sign up for a 3 race 10k series with you!! Thanks my Love. Coventry Woods is about an hour from our home which is one reason I did not want to run it alone. I have no problem running races by myself but I'd much prefer them to be a on a course I'm familiar with or know atleast one other person running in the event. Since a very early age I felt comfort in numbers which is why you will often find me running with others. Yes I agree it can be nice to be on a long training run by yourself but to me there is a huge sense of comfort with having a friend or two close by.
This guy needed a nap after his big event!
I got up today at 5:30 to start my pre-run/ pre-race routine. I ate some overnight oats had and drank about 20 ounces of water. Since no one was awake at that time I took full advantage and read my Step. Not long after that the family started to wake up. It was a nice morning which meant there were no meltdowns until we went to leave the house at 7:30. Our daughter did not like the fact that we were both leaving. Thankfully she calmed down soon after we left and was happy to hang out with her Aunt Kiki.
The race venue was beautiful. I was so happy to be running a trail race. Having never been to Convernty Woods Park before I had no clue what to expect as far as hills. They had some serious up hills and the down hills were pretty technical due to rocks and roots. At the start of the race I was feeling good until I hit the first hill and then my breathing was not in the best shape. It was an extremely humid day but after about a mile and a half i warmed up and my breathing felt better. Jimmy and I ran together for about the first mile and a half and then we hit a huge hill and started to walk a bit and then I started running again and didn't realize he wasn't following my lead.
I ran by myself for pretty much the entrie race. Towards the final stretch two 7 year old boys smoked me on a downhill. These kids were loving the hills. I ended up finishing the race 57:50. My watch didn't start working until maybe a mile and a half in so I wasn't really paying much attention to it during the run. I was just trying to listen to my body and make sure my left IT band wasn't acting up again. I placed first in my division! I was thrilled. They gave me a kick ass medal.
I'm really looking forward to going back again next month. Jimmy had a great time too and next month he is going to try his best to place in the top 3 of his division. He did really good considering he isn't a runner and didn't train at all. Trail running is not the same as road running and most people don't realize how much harder it really is until they hit their first incline! Happy Trails!
Special thanks to Kiki for babysitting.
Also special thanks to Emily of the Mountain Momma's Ragnar team for keeping my husband company on the trail after we got split up. You were a huge help to him.
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