2010 BUFFALO CHIPS STAMPEDE (10 Miles)

Today was the Buffalo Chips Stampede. It is a 10 mile race that literally runs past my house making it super easy for Vans and the Peanut to come out and cheer me on.

In this post I wrote about how I secretly really wanted to beat my time from last year. However, the major difference between this year and last year is that I was actually training for a marathon last year using such as things tempo runs, speed workouts and interval training. I was diligent and religious about my workouts and training. This year, um, not so much. I would have to say that the name of my game this year has been long steady runs lately.

After the crazy weekend we had, I really wasn't sure how today would pan out. I woke up coughing and with a runny nose (grrreat) but I hopped on my bike anyway and rode the 3.5 miles to Rio Americano High School where the Buffalo Stampede starts. I chained up my bike and stretched a bit. I walked around and said hello to some familiar Buffalo Chip friends. I have to say, I love this race. The convenience factor is just so great and the course is so familiar.

At 8:00 am the race starts. In years past the race has always started late for some reason or another but not this year. I heard mumbling but the race directors did not have mega phones and out of no where I hear the bellow of the horn as the crowd started moving.

I was feeling okay at this point. The coughing and runny nose had subsided and I just felt okay. I decided to just go with the flow. I narrowed my sights on a girl I knew from my Buffalo Chips days (Tri-Girl) as she was always generally within my pace . . . well, at least she used to be. She is now training continuously for half-ironmans . . . ah well.

Here is the break down of the race . . . for once I actually noticed my splits and focused on them and how I was feeling.

Mile 1: 7:57 - Um, what the hell? Okay. I feel good. Why not. I usually start out like this.
Mile 2: 7:58 - Really? Again? Hmph, still feeling good. I still see Tri-Girl. Okay. Uh-oh what's that?
Mile 3: 7:58 - Sweet! 1 more mile and I'll see the Peanut and Vans. Sure wish I could lose this grunting moaning guy who has been running with me since mile 2. Quad feels a little stiff . . .
Mile 4: 7:58 - Dang! Just need to round this corner and I'll see the Peanut & Vans. Maybe I should speed up so as not to lose any time when I stop and say hello . . .

Pausing here to insert video taken by Vans . . . just too darn cute not to include. A two-year olds perspective on a road race . . .

And then I appear . . . my own personal aid-station and confidence booster!

Okay, back to the splits . . .

Mile 5: 8:02 - Nooooo! Oh wait, I had stopped to hug the Peanut. That's okay. No biggie. I'll make it up.
Mile 6: 8:09 - Ugh . . . it's happening. I am dying. I suck. Oh no. Grunting Moaning guy is back. He's talking to me. Telling me I was hard to catch. Apparently not that hard.
Mile 7: 8:16 - I believe DAMN IT came out of my mouth. I had stopped for 2 waters and a Gu between 6 and 7 because my quad was tightening and I was afraid I was losing too much steam.
Mile 8: 8:04 - Really? Okay okay, the Gu must be working. Keep it up, 2 miles. Follow those girls, get on their heels now.
Mile 9: 8:04 - Whew, I am back. I can make it I can make it. Passing these girls . . . 1 mile to go.
Mile 10: 7:44 - Yippeeeeeee I am done. I see Vans and the Peanut at the finish. The Peanut looks like she wants to run with me . . . Vans looks at the clock and holds her back that must mean I am close.

All of these splits and my final time and average are per my Garmin as the actual race results are not posted yet although I caught a glimpse before I left and I am fairly close.

Race time: 1:20:53 Average Pace: 8:00/mile. Sweet! Last year I was an 1:23 race time and an 8:23 pace so I shaved some minutes off my time! Woot woot!

The Peanut and Vans found me after I crossed the finish line. The Peanut was supposed to run in the kids 1/2 mile race but apparently we missed it. Ooops. Instead she had much more fun running with me on the football field.

Overall it was a great run. I felt okay albeit a little tight in my quads and calves but energy wise I was there. Not sure what this means for the Four Bridges Half Marathon in late October, not sure I could hold that pace for 3 more miles on that hilly course but perhaps if I add some quality training runs I might be able to run better than I had originally planned.

Regardless, I am one lucky Trailmomma. I had a few runners pass me during the race telling me how cute and sweet my Peanut was and that she should be proud of her mommy . . . I think I am more proud of her.

My future running partner!

Just a little update on Baby REI . . . she's doing great and actually came over last night to play with the Peanut. The Peanut surprised her by buying her some balloons. It seems everything is back to normal as a few "it's mine" fights broke out but hugs soon followed. Ahhhh, to be two again. The rest of the weekend was a success after Friday night's craziness.

Best Friends

All dressed up for a BBQ on Saturday
(notice her "race" watch as she calls it)

Bounce house fun

aka

guaranteed nap maker!