Great Pumpkin RUN Recap

It's been just a little while since I've run a 10K - this here blog says Steve's Run in Michigan in July 2009 was my last!

That last 10K was run in 52:04 (my old PR). Yesterday? 46:14 - can you say 'PR' ?!

Could have done with shorts instead. The knickers were a bit warm. 

Loved the rainbow of trees here. Took during my 12 min warm up jog.

I planned to go out strong, but safe (7:45-8 min pace) and then start to push around mile 3 or 4. Well, per the usual of a small race, everyone surged at the beginning, myself included.

As we left the fairgrounds to hit the bike path and rolling country roads, I glanced at my watch to see a 6:54 pace - not exactly easing into it. So I reigned it in and held a steady 7:30s for a bit.

At the halfway point and about 5 rolling hills, I realized I was likely the first female and hoped I could maintain that (a first for me).

I used two guys to really push me and not let them drift ahead. I also used the downhills to hammer it. The last two miles of this race were the fastest I think I've ever raced - sub 7's baby!

As I rounded the corner back to the fairgrounds, I sprinted my little heart out to cross that finish line. I grabbed a slice of Great Harvest bread and water and then headed for a short cool down.

A few funny things I noticed. You know you're running a small race when...

• The marker for Mile 1 is at 0.5 mile. Not even close, people. 
• The race announcer said we'd be brain dead after 6 miles so "don't forget to go down the RIGHT chute toward the beer tent" (10K and 5K were happening simultaneously). 
• Your prizes are SWEET 
• You win overall fastest female, but then don't win your age group (just odd)

All in all, it was a PERFECT day for running. I'm so happy I made the trek up to Corvallis to race an uncommon (for me) distance and location. The trees were beautiful with their changing leaves and it was fun to see my mom and aunt for a bit.

My mom, aunt and I look very Halloweeny. 

And with my bright red/orange face, I pretty much look like a little pumpkin. ;)

So for winning the fastest female, I got a personal sized, locally made pumpkin with gingerbread crust cheesecake (and a little plaque)! It is to die for. Seriously, I need more of these in my life. --> Thank you, Taylor Street Ovens!

Anyway, at $17, the Homelife Great Pumpkin Run was a affordable, fun, well organized and for a good cause. Homelife supports people with developmental disabilities to live active, productive and independent lives. 

Mile splits: 7:35, 7:36, 7:49 (hills, tired), 7:27, 6:59, 6:55, 6:35 (.28 mi).

P.S. Have you guys visited Athlinks? I just was trying to find my PR for the 10K and found this website. Great aggregate of almost all of the races I'd done. No longer will I have to spend tons of time trying to dig through old race results to find my past times.