Morgan Hilly

When I registered for CIM, I told myself that I would not sign up for many races. I would keep them at a minimum and keep my eye on the prize and work toward achieving my goal of a sub 4 at CIM. Well, I did not keep to my word very well. I ran a 10k that I actually won in September, and got the race bug after that.

Even though, I don’t race half marathons like I do shorter distances, I still love to participate. I enjoy being around the running community, and well, I like running on supported courses. the swag is fun too, but that is certainly not a huge motivator for registering.

A few weeks back the Running Addicts were doing a course preview of the Morgan Hill Mary and Half. They were pacing the event and opened up the opportunity to run on a semi supported course to friends. I had ran the event last year and when I ran the course preview, I had forgotten how much I liked it. It is a hilly course, but I just love running past farms where cows and horses greet me hello. The dam simply sparkles as I run past huffing and puffing up the huge hill and really, you can't beat mile eight where it is completely all down hill. WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.

Shannon and Paulette at the Finish!

So yes, after the course preview, I got a bib and was excited to run the Morgan Hill Half Mary once again. Even more exciting was the fact that UMM’s schedule had changed and he had Sundays off. He is training for the North Face 50 Miler and signed up for the full as a training run. Did I mention I was able to get him a free bib! Thanks to Cynthia who was a fabulous pacer that offered her complimentary race entry. So hooray! UMM and I were able to race again! Not at the same speed or distance or anything, but still. It is fun just to know he was somewhere out on that course.

UMM & Kevin at the start

I will admit that the week of the Morgan Hill Half was not my best high mileage week. But, sometimes you have to pull back a tad and that is what I did. Of course I had a blast running the Half. After I parted ways with Matt who lined up in the front of the start line and I somewhere in the middle, I met up with fellow SFM Ambassador Albert and fearless RA leader Linh. I hung out with them for the first mile and then decreased my pace. I felt pretty damn good and was really happy for the cooler temps. At one point there was a road where we did an out and back on and it was so amazing to see all my friends and familiar faces on this part.

Mile 1 - 8:37
Mile 2 - 8:32
Mile 3 - 8:36
Mile 4 - 8:44
Mile 5 - 8:48
Mile 6 - 8:30
Mile 7 - 9:37 Hello Hills
Mile 8 - 7:40 And hello lover AKA downhill

Throughout the race I ran a lot with a girl whose name I found out later was Anita. We never said a word while out on the course, but it was fun to see her ahead, next to me, or behind. Well I really didn’t see her when she was running behind me, but you know what I mean. It wasn’t until mile 12 where I got a really bad side stitch that she passed me for good. It was fun chatting with her at the finish. Whether she knew it or not, she was my silent running buddy and I certainly appreciated her presence.

Mile 9 - 8:46
Mile 10 - 8:57
Mile 11 - 8:53
Mile 12 - 10:06 Cue in side stitch and a bit of woggin’.
Mile 13 - 8:13 Had to push the last mile of course!
.19 - 7:31

I crossed the finish line 1:55:25 which was a 30 second course PR from last years event and 2 minutes from the course preview a couple of weeks back. I will take that 30 seconds! At the finish line I chatted with friends and waited for UMM to cross the finish line. While it certainly was not a PR, he did finish in 3:04 and some change. He was 6th overall, 5th gender (he got chicked by a badass girl), and second in his age group. So proud of him! Especially since he has not been running on pavement lately.

Me being over dramatic w/ Vinh. Photo courtesy of Albert.

Group photo love with Kevin, Nik, Shannon, and Cynthia. Photo courtesy of Paulette.

It was an amazing day. That race was just what I needed to get my confidence back. So much so, that I now have two races coming up this week! A 5 miler on Halloween (tonight) and a 3.5 on some hilly terrain in Apple Hill. I can’t wait!

I can’t seem to stay away from organized running events. It’s my drug of choice! I love it. And yes, I might not be able to get that sub 4 at CIM this time, but I am confident it will happen at some point so until then, I am just going to enjoy the ride. Or run, rather.

Love in my Love my Run #TeamMokie shirt

Medal posing, again in my #TeamMokie shirt. Miles for Mokie!