Gobble Jog

Since I wasn't able to do the Thanksgiving Half as I had planned, Jaclyn suggested that we run the Gobble Jog 10K in Marietta on Thanksgiving Day. I was really nervous about the event, because I really only got back into running at the beginning of November. But I needed a challenge, and if I couldn't do the Half, I could at least do some kind of run.

And so, Tim, my parents and I braved the cold and met up with Roger and Jaclyn in Marietta yesterday morning. The 10K started at 8am, and even though I was a bit stiff, I felt great and was able to power through all of the hills. My goal was a 1:05, a bit slower than my PR last March, but still, a bit of a stretch, considering my runs have been consistently at 10:30 pace.

But, I was feeling great, and while coasting downhill after the two mile marker, we somehow lost Roger and Jaclyn. When Tim and I crossed the halfway point at 32 minutes, I knew I had a shot at besting 1:03. We pushed hard over the last three miles--I even overcame some shortness of breath around mile five--and took the last mile really quickly and finished at 1:02:03!

I really needed this. My confidence has suffered since my injury, and I was worried about how long it would take me to get back on track with my training. My first week back was miserable. But having prepped for a 10K--a PR, no less--in less than a month makes me confident that I can run the ING Half Marathon well.

I've never enjoyed running more and am thankful for running--among many other things--this holiday weekend.