Running My First 10K!

I'm still in complete disbelief that I ran my first 10K on Saturday!

I had goosebumps the whole time because I couldn't believe I was truly running six miles right beside the Oak Island Lighthouse in Oak Island, North Carolina!

Though I'd been trying my best to follow Hal Higdon's 10K training schedule, craziness at work had made that a little more difficult than usual. For my last week of training (week 8), I decided to take it easy in the beginning of the week, so I could rest up for Saturday.

Monday: Ran 3 miles on the treadmill/weights & abs + personal training for one hour

Tuesday: Ran 4 miles outside

Wednesday & Thursday: Rest Days

Friday: Travel day

Saturday: 10K at 8:10AM!

I am so so lucky to have parents that would make this trip to Oak Island with me. We had the best time visiting this new place. It felt like we were on a mini vacation!

We arrived Friday evening around 5PM, and right after checking into our hotel, headed to the Chamber Welcome & Conference Center in Southport to pick up my race packet. This included my racing bib, t-shirt and a few other things from the race sponsors. Everyone there was so nice, and it made me super excited to run the next day!

For dinner on Friday, we threw around a couple ideas, but decided to try a local favorite, The Provisions Co. in Southport. I had been there years ago, but it was my parents first time going.

We enjoyed steamed shrimp, delicious crab cakes, homemade onion rings, and a hamburger fresh off the grill, while taking in the beautiful views (since Provisions is right on the water)!

 

After dinner, we'd saved just enough room for some ice cream at Flava's, the ice cream and t-shirt shop just across the street. It was the perfect ending to a wonderful evening.

We woke up bright and early Saturday morning to get ready for the race! Since it started at 8:10, and we wanted to get there early (something we learned from my first 5K experience,) I ended up setting my alarm for 5AM! Seriously, so early!

I loved my outfit for this race, and was so excited to finally put it on! 

I wore a Kiss My Southern Sass tank that said "Bless Your Heart and the USA," along with a large red bow for my hair, and black Nike shorts.

On the back of my shirt, I made a sign out of blue cardstock paper and foam letters to honor those in Boston following the Boston Marathon bombings.

It was a rainy morning in Oak Island, but thank goodness it stopped right before my race started! I ended up wearing my dad's hat to keep my head dry, and had on my rain coat until the last second. Since the tank top I was wearing wasn't dri fit material, I wanted to stay as dry as possible before I ran.

 Waiting in the corral as they counted down our start!

 Ready, set, go!

 Running those six miles after five months of hard work felt so so good! I think I smiled the entire time because I was so happy to be there accomplishing a goal that I'd set for myself.

My view during mile 5!

When I saw the marker saying I only had one mile left, I swear I could have sprinted the whole way from excitement, but instead, I decided to keep a good pace and save it all for the end.

When I came through the entrance of the NC Baptist Assembly and saw my parents standing at the finish line, I gave it all I had. What an amazing feeling!

I officially crossed the finish line at 58:12:00! 

I have to admit I shed a few tears from pure joy in that moment. I accomplished something that I never though I could. I ran six miles in under an hour without stopping.

Amazing. 

Little did I know, I also placed second in the 19-24 female age group for the 10K, and will be receiving an award!!! There's seriously no better feeling!

Thank you so much for your continued support and kind words!
Maybe next year, I'll go back and run the half-marathon! The sky's the limit!

As always, Have a Sweet Day!