Beat the Bridge 8K Recap

First, let me just say that this was is kind of my "redemption" race.  Two years ago at the Beat the Bridge '08, I totally bombed it.  Trav and I did not beat the bridge, we walked tons, and basically freaking died at the end.  That is when I realized that I was not in fighting shape anymore (like I said in my last post), and I seriously started training.  My "first" race back in the game was supposed to be the Jingle Bell Dash in Dec. 2008...but due to a crazy snow storm, I couldn't get my car up my neighborhood's hill and had to miss the race (I hate hate hate missing races).  So, next up was the March 2009 St. Paddy's Day Dash...and I had fun!  But of course, it snowed DURING that race, and I was a popsicle at the end....and thus, I became a runner/racer again...and I haven't looked back since. :)

Back to this year's Beat the Bridge.
I get super excited about this race because 1) it's for a cause that's dear to me, 2) it's sponsored by my beloved Nordstrom peeps and 3) it's on my college campus.  Going into this race this time around, I just wanted to beat the bridge (duh) and enjoy everything else.  Mission complete.

The first two miles (until the bridge) I gave it all I could (8:42 and 8:37 pace).  After crossing the bridge (and trying not to get my awesome Lunars stuck in the metal grating), I walked a little to get my heart rate back down.  I felt great!  Perhaps I was imagining Goober "running" too.  There were a couple of runner dad's with their infants in jogging strollers on the sidelines, probably cheering for Momma.  I thought to myself..."that's Trav and little Goob next year!"

The last three miles were at a decent pace, and I wasn't really out of breath.  However, I found the dude-I-want-to-chick-at-the-end because he totally turned around for the out-and-back before the actual cone.  Good going, "guy in the Misfits shirt," you've been targeted.  He seriously didn't look like he was doing well, and of course, about a quarter mile before the finish I caught up to him and he actually started to walk!  Heh heh.  That's what you get...

Finishing strong!

I picked up the pace a little more for the last mile, and I tried my best at my finish line kick.  Crossed the line and saw Trav smiling at me.  Yay! 

Side Note: Trav was an awesome race photographer for me, and I hope he knows that it means a lot when he attends my races!

After this race, Trav and I like to walk around campus and reminisce a little.  It was gorgeous out, and the campus was amazing.  My old Biz School has a new building going up, and it's so awesome!  The architecture is right up Trav's alley and we were admiring it for a while (it opens in the Fall and I can't wait to visit!).  These walks make us both miss school.  A little.  Maybe more?  A heck, I want to get my Masters....

So there you have it!  Goober's 4th race!  :)  Bring on the next!

Final Stats:

Mileage - 4.97

Time - 45:11

Overall - 2330 out of  5427
Division Place - 234 out of 731 (F25-29)
Sex Place - 903 out of 2973
Pace - 9:06