The 5K pictures were just released at memphisrunners.com, so that is why this post is out of order, plus I did not have this blog when the 5K took place! The wonderful people at memphis runners have volunteers at every race and there are always men there with cameras to capture the events. The 5K race took place at the Lakeland trails, which have some great elevation changes - the best in Memphis.
Going back to what I said in my last post about mentally preparing myself on race day - I need to learn how to do it! The weather was pretty good for this race - it was sunny, but extremely, extremely cold. I started off pretty fast, following Drew, as you can see in the picture below, and I was feeling fine for the first 12 minutes or so.
As we got further into the forest and starting the quick elevation changes, things went downhill for me. About 15 minutes into it, I got an AWFUL stitch in my side! I don't know if it was the cold air, the adrenaline, the elevation changes, or what, but I could not stand up straight. It was probably all of those things combined. I had to stop and walk twice! Needless to say I was a bit aggravated because I know I am in shape - I run three miles or more with no problem often and there I was race day, bending over with a stitch. The last picture I am about to cross the finish and you can't really tell, but my left hand was trying to hold my side.
I still got second for my age group and once the stitch went away, I felt fine. I'm new to this sport and I'm learning things about it and myself everyday. I need race day mentality!!!
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