Running the Reedy

Reedy River 10K was this morning. I really haven't ever seen this many people in our Downtown for a race eva! It's the first time I've ran it and I believe this was year 31 for this race. Amazing. There were about 4K people that joined in on the fun for the 5K, 10K, and the kids mile events. It's really an awesome sight to see so many people in one place that have that common interest of fitness no matter how they got there, or what their time is. I believe Greenville has a huge amount of runners/cyclists. Again, I'm biased though. :-) These people are making a difference and I'm proud to be a part of it.

We got there fairly early, enought to stand around on main for a while, get some free coffee, stand around some more. Ahhh.... The anticipation..... I was ready to get this thing over with.



The gun went off, and so were we. Over the last few weeks, and during the first mile of the race, I kept hearing about "McDaniel", aka the HILL. I know where McDaniel st is, and have been on it many times before in a car, but I just couldn't place it in my head where the hill was. Anyway, I hit miles 1 and 2, right at 10 min/mil, but it went downhill after that while the race went uphill. It was rolling hills for quite a while, not bad. I struggled mentally like I have been in all my runs lately, with the "I have to stop for a few seconds" feeling. I really hate this, and even more, I really hate to admit it. I walked a few more times, and around mile 5, we turned onto McDaniel and WHOA, it's horrible, at least to me and from what I can tell - it's hard on everyone. After brutal McDaniel, I ran the rest of the way in. I caught my family at the corner around 5.8, and Grace was ringing her cow bell for me. Sweet!!!!!



We finish the race at the entrance to one side of the Liberty Bridge (foot-bridge - pictured, pic I found online sometime ago). I crossed at 1:06:29 for a slow 10:45 min/mil. I'm happy I did it, but am not happy with the finish. I am having to start my running all over again, but know from this and from my previous runs, I have some training to do. Overall, it's a great race and beautiful course through Falls Park.





I crossed the bridge to look for David and Grace, and he got this pic. I'm in it, can you see me?


After the regular after-race activities, eating and walking around endlessly looking for people we know, we sat down for a few and watched Grace dance to the music a little. She's quite the little clown sometimes.


We ran some errands, which include a trip to Fleet Feet. I walked out with new Mizuno's. :-))) We ended our day with a trip to see a new baby from a couple in our Church group. How sweet she is! and then we had a great meal with great friends!!

Next up - Parris Island Triathlon (2 wks).

I'm hoping to end my evening finally with a little SNL, if I can keep my eyes open long enough and some reading of the blogs. I don't have a run tomorrow morning before Church so I think I'll stay up long enough tonight. Hope you all are having a fantastic weekend!