If you follow me on Instagram, you might’ve seen me showing off my newest bling on Saturday!
This Saturday, I finished my first real race, the Brooklyn Rock ‘n’ Roll 10k. It was an amazing experience, and I can say that I have been bit by the running bug once again!
I woke up at 5:30 on an almost freezing Saturday morning, kind of freaking out about how I was going to run in my prepared outfit of running capris and a light long sleeve shirt when it was only 39 degrees outside. I piled on some more layers and hoped for the best when the sun would rise.
We were on the road by 6AM, an hour and a half before the start time of the race, and we made it to Prospect Park within 20 minutes and found a parking spot just across the street from the park. Talk about luck! I opened up the windows in the car and started to strip away my layers because I needed to get used to the temperature. Even though it was brutal at first, we made the walk to the start line and I quickly warmed up. Since we were so early, we even had time to take some goofy pictures. You’re welcome. 😉
Since I registered for the race way before I ever ran anything close to 10k, I had put down my finish time at 1 hour 50 minutes and was put into corral number 12. Back of the line for me! I ended up starting with the corral ahead of me because I knew I could keep up.
The first four miles of the race went pretty smoothly. I took a few walking breaks when I felt myself getting really tired, and I took a bathroom break at mile 3 because I had drank too much water before the race. Of course this stop took forever, and I ended up loosing at least 4 minutes off my time at the end because of it. Oh well!
Mile four of the course brought you back across the start line and this is where the hills began. Going across the start for the first time, I was aware that I was climbing a pretty large hill for the first mile or so, but it did not seem bad at all. Coming across this same hill at mile 4 was brutal. My quads burned the whole way going up and I ended up walking for a good part of the hill. After this first hill, the rest of the course was very hilly, basically up and down the whole way. It was hard and I walked more than I wanted too.
Once I hit mile 6, I sped up. I could see the finish line and I wanted to get there, and quick. I crossed the finish line at 1:17:26. Even though it isn’t a great or competitive time, it is something that I am proud of. A year ago, I wasn’t able to run a mile. What a difference a year makes.
Like I said before, I have been bitten by the racing bug. Lucky for me, I’ve got another race coming up really soon, but more on that a little later!
What was the last race you ran? How did it go?
Congratulations on your race! Nice job, though I find it hard to imagine 39 degrees right now when it hit 98 this afternoon!
My first race was also a 10 K, and like you I had never run that far before. Just so you know what might be in your future, since my first race I’ve done countless more, including 35 marathons. Be careful when that race bug bites!
Unfortunately, your pictures won’t load on my ipad for some reason. I’ll have to check back tomorrow.
Debbie @ Live from La Quinta recently posted..Thank You. THANK YOU
Oh my gosh! 35 marathons! That is amazing! I don\’t know if I\’ll ever be able to run 35 marathons, but it is my goal to run at least one in my life! Hope the pictures show up next time!
Congratulations!! I heard that the race was great and a lot of fun. I run in Prospect Park all the time and it’s pretty hilly! Racing can get pretty addictive 🙂
Christine @ Love, Life, Surf recently posted..What kind of race spectator are you?
The race was a lot of fun. I totally loved one of the bands that played along the course. They were a cover band and were playing really catchy songs both times I ran by them. Those hills are killer!
yay! congrats on your race! that is a great time! I love the medal too.. it is so cute! I’m glad you had such a great time! (:
Danielle @ Itsaharleyyylife recently posted..Apple Walnut Bread
Thanks! I love the sparkles on the medal!
Congrats! It’s a good bug to be bitten by! 🙂
Angela @ Happy Fit Mama recently posted..Where’s Your Dream Race?
Thanks! I agree, it\’s a good bug! 🙂
Congrats! I love running in Prospect Park. I once ran a 10 mile race there where we had to run up that big half-mile hill 3 times…brutal!
Maggie recently posted..Monday Happies
It was my first time in Prospect Park ever. Pretty sad for someone who has lived in NYC their whole life. The hill was brutal twice, so I can only imagine it a 3rd time. No bueno! I am planning on running the Turkey Trot in Prospect Park on Thanksgiving. I\’m hoping we only run that hill once!
Wonderful job and great race recap! I bet you will be searching the internet for races all the time now…that is what happened to me after my first race. It becomes an addiction, but a good one at that. Enjoy that beautiful medal, a great start to your collection! My last race was also a Rock and Roll event in Virginia Beach, the half marathon relay that I ran with my daughter.
I spent all last night looking for a Half marathon to sign up for in the Spring! I'm addicted! 🙂
Great job on the run. 🙂 I have always wanted to do one of the R&R races. Maybe one day… 🙂
Tiff @ Love Sweat and Beers recently posted..Hearty Meals 4 Healthy Hubbies
It was a lot of fun. There were 4 bands playing along the course, and it was a lot of fun to run past them. One was a cover band and they were playing songs I love both times I ran past them..it was pretty cool.
I so admire anyone who can run a race. You’re awesome! Congratulations!
Shari recently posted..Catching My Breath.
Thanks so much! I admire anyone who can write like you do! You\’re awesome! 🙂
Congrats on your run girl!!! You are too cute!!!
Mindy @Road Runner Girl recently posted..Gulf Coast Half Marathon Mandeville Day 1!
Thanks! 🙂
Congratulations!! I love your pictures, you can definitely tell you had a blast. My last race was the Rock n Roll half in Philadelphia and I loved it!!
Amanda @ Run Principessa recently posted..Total Bookworm Moment
I had a total blast! I want to train for a half next year, but don't know which race to sign up for.
Congrats!!!!!!! The pics were great to look through, I always love looking at race photos! My last race was almost a year ago now, I was benched from running for quite a while with some knee issues. My next race is next month though!
Dawn @ Dawnieslife recently posted..I Don’t Feel Like Going to the Gym Today
Thank so much! Good luck on your race! 🙂
Congrats Sylvia! Beautiful bling to commemorate it too! My last race was also a RnR event: Rock n Roll Denver Half Marathon.
Thanks! I want to run a half marathon soo bad now!
Congratulations! I keep wanting to do a 10k and I never get to! I ran the Rock ‘n Roll Chicago Half Marathon this summer. It was so much fun!
Kate @ Kate is eating recently posted..The terrible awful
Thanks! I want to run a half next. I spent last night looking for half marathons in my area to sign up for next year!
Congratulations on your first real race, amazing accomplishment! I just ran in an overnight relay race this weekend and it was an amazing time!
Keep up the great work!
Jamie @ couchtoironwoman recently posted..Reach the Beach: New Jersey Race Recap Part 1
CONGRATS!!! That is so awesome. I so look forward to the day when I can say “the first four miles weren’t that bad”! I know it will happen, just takes time!
Cinnamon @ eatpraytri recently posted..WIDIALW
Awesome! Congratulations and thank you for sharing your recap on my blog today. I love the pride in your voice when you say that a year ago you couldn’t run a mile. Something to be proud of for sure.
Carrie @ FamilyFitnessFood.com recently posted..My First 5K – First Race Link Up