Tar Heel 10-Miler!

As most of you know, running has never been a strong suit of mine.  Actually, it wasn't until around this time last year that I had run 3 consecutive miles since my middle school track days (this is where I learned I wasn't a great runner...). After running in a 5k with friends this fall without training, and feeling disgustingly out of shape, I made a New Year's resolution to run in a 10K (6.2 miles) sometime this year.  I started running a lot in January and actually enjoyed myself (I was shocked, too). Then, a classmate of mine mentioned the biggest run in Chapel Hill - the Tar Heel 10-miler on April 20th.  As it's name states, this was a 10 mile race as opposed to a 10K. At first I didn't think I'd be able to train adequately before the race a few months away. In February I ran 5 miles and decided if I ran 5 in February, I should be able to run 10 in April...so I bit the bullet and signed up.  A few weeks later, so did my loving boyfriend.

And guess what! We ran the whole sha-bam last weekend!

After the race!

About a week before the race, the event was sold out (5,000+ runners!).

Evan and I had multiple goals for the Tar Heel 10-miler. They started out pretty easy, but got a little more reasonable as race day approached:

1. Don't be dead last. (Check!)
2. Don't walk. (Check!)
3. Run the race in under 2 hours, or at a 12-minute pace. (Check!)
4. Run the race at an 11-minute pace. (Check!)

We ended up crossing the finish line at 1:47:34. That ends up being a 10:45-minute split! We were pretty excited, and even got some awesome TarHeel medals!

I must admit, I've been pretty lazy since Saturday. I'm sure I'll be up and running again - with another race to train for - soon!

-M