I Made It!

Last week I was majorly stressing out about the bridge run on Saturday.  I hadn't actually run the bridge since before I found out I was pregnant so I definitely did not train much for it.  Yes, I've been running 10-15 miles per week at the gym (on a treadmill), but nothing on an incline like the stupid hill on that bridge.

I wasn't optimistic heading into the race Saturday morning.  Especially since lately it's been kind of hit or miss with how I feel while running. Sometimes it's great and other times I have to throw in the towel after only a short time.

Pre-race waiting for the start

Well, I surprised myself and did better than anticipated.  At mile marker 1 I was feeling good and had run a 8:41 mile, not super fast but faster than I've been starting my runs lately.  Mile marker 2 was part way up the hill on the bridge and I still had a decent time.  Mile 3 was over the crest of the hill and at the 5K split I was at 27:56, not too bad considering that beast of a hill thrown in there.  Then mile 4 hit and the pain started. Both of my hips were killing me.  The pain didn't get bad until I hit the straightaway after coming off the bridge.  I started limping noticeably while running, but I was determined to keep going.  When I hit the 5 mile mark I thought "I'm far enough ahead that I could possibly walk the last mile and still come in under an hour.".  But I pushed through praying I would see the 6 mile mark soon.  Once we ran past Marion Square on King Street I knew the end was getting close.  I made those last two left turns and could see the finish line.  I kicked as hard as I could, but I didn't have all that much left in me.

I stopped my watch when I crossed the finish line and I had myself at a 53:53. I knew that would be lightly off because I messed up starting it at the beginning. Later that night the official results were out.

Chip Time: 54:01
Clock Time: 1:03:16 (I was in corral C of the wave start)
Overall Place:  4,391 out of 31,447
Women's Rank:  1,226 out of 18,486
Pace:  8:42 mins/km

I was pretty pleased with that.  Last year I ran a 53:09, but I also trained and wasn't 19+ weeks pregnant.

I paid for it later that night, though.  I was hobbling around the house like a geriatric because of my hips.  I broke out the heating pad and alternated sides hoping for the best.  I was pleasantly surprised yesterday morning when I was able to get out of bed without dying.  Today they don't hurt at all so I guess I didn't do any permanent damage.  This will definitely be my last pregnant 10K, though.  I might throw a 5K in there, but I'm thinking the treadmill is easier on me than the hard pavement - and especially that damn hill!