Have you ever had a race or a run that was simply pure joy? I mean, every step of the way? Today was that race for me. I am one week away from the LA Marathon, and I was asked to join a 2 man Half Marathon Relay at the ShamrockNHalf at Raley Field in Sacramento.
I was thrilled to do it, because I’m in taper week #2 now, and I knew this would keep me slightly de-focused for the marathon, and it was a short distance. Also, my new Twitter friend Row, had taken me as a guest to her gym for a spin class, and I wanted to give back just a little bit. Her husband’s partner dropped out, so he needed a teammate.
Enter Ms. V
The night before, I was treated to 3 hours of WWE Smackdown at the Stockton Arena. I promised my son I would take him there, and about halfway in, I was totally over the fake fighting (wait, it’s fake, right?) The only thing that intrigued me was the music, and how it would fit in a playlist. But I digress.
Coupled with a midnight bedtime, daily savings was going to blow. I was up at 4am, showered, ate my pre-breakfast, and my now pre-ritual of a half a cup of coffee. I didn’t think I had much gas, and was hoping not to let my friend down.
Driving to Sacramento was ROUGH. I was so tired, but I knew by the time I got there, I would be fine. I had to be.
There’s something different about a relay. You’re responsible for your partner. You can’t really blow it, because they’re waiting for you to come in. There’s no DNF in a relay. I mean you have to be losing a kidney to stop.
Mile 1 over the Sacramento Bridge. Great music. I knew the music I put on this iPod was going to be fun, and it was. Repeat. Mile after Mile. Never stopped, took no water, just ran.
Oh, the way I felt. Not like I was flying, but that I was running. And I loved it. At one point, I looked at Crash, and I was running a 9:16 mile. Without trying.
Details:
1:12:50
7.1 miles
10:16 pace
Splits:
10:28
9:50
10:26
10:24
10:21
10:22
Today’s Playlist made the run enjoyable, and to think: I nearly missed this race. Thank you to all the people who support me every day.
I smiled with every song.
Wonderful Night 4:46 Fatboy Slim
Au Fond du Temple Saint 4:50 David Byrne
Bad Romance 4:55 Lady Gaga
Jump around 3:30 House Of Pain
Poker Face Lady GaGa
Psycho (feat. Eminem) 4:46 50 Cent
Hit the Road Jack 2:04 Ray Charles
Ballroom Blitz 4:03 Blue Oyster Cult
What Is Love 4:30 Haddaway
American Pie 8:32 Don McLean
Ready Steady Go (Album Version) 4:16 Paul Oakenfold
155 3:30 +44 (GREAT song!!!)
Break Your Heart (feat. Ludacris) 3:06 Taio Cruz (Brand new #1 song this week…GREAT!)
Yes We Can – Obama Song
Lose Yourself 5:32 Eminem
Happy Day!!
You and your ever-changing layout …
Great race. Congrats. You are ready for LA.
Interesting playlist. Seems like every woman I know (and fake know) loves Lady Gaga.
Sounds like a good confidence booster!
And that comment by Viper is a little sexist isn’t it? What us guys can’t like Lady Gaga? It’s great running music.