Freedom 4 Miler Race Recap

I'm not one to do race recaps because quite frankly, I'm not that exciting when I race but this was the first race I actually got to represent Oiselle  as a member of the Oiselle Racing team plus it was a race like none other for me something was different.  I had to tell you.  

I ran the Freedom 4 Miler here in STL.  The race was part of the VP fair and I went into today just wanting to get out and be part of the experience.  If you're a runner who has never raced, you're missing out.  The energy and feel of being among the hundreds who are all out to achieve the same goal is amazing and contagious.  Today's race took it a step further.  We were surrounded by military personnel which you couldn't help but be inspired by.

I wore my garmin but forgot the chest strap so I couldn't see my heart rate which bothered me a little bit.  My goal today was to run a 10 min mile or less but I was pretty sure after squeezing in yesterday's long run (8 miles) I would struggle staying at that pace.

I started in the front to middle of the pack and just ran.  I rarely checked my garmin but when it beeped the first time, it said 9:04 pace.  I didn't think there was anyway I was going that fast so I just kept going.

Mile 1 took us from downtown St. Louis down towards the river and around the arch grounds.

 

It was a great route because I don't think there is another run in STL that will take you around the Arch.  

After enjoying the scenery during mile two, my Garmin beeped again.  9:13.  Ok, this still seemed somewhat fast but much closer to where I thought I would be.  I felt good and just kept running.

Mile 3 took us back downtown, around Busch Stadium and west.  I had the urge to push it hard for mile three just to see how fast I could get.  I told myself if I did, that on Mile 4, I'd let myself walk.  So I dug a little deeper and kicked it into gear.  *BEEP*  I checked the Garmin again...8:34.  Seriously?!  No way.  

Best part was, I had somehow found my stride.  You know, that pace you can seemingly keep for a while.  So I decided to forgo the walk as long as I could.  I didn't feel like I was going any faster but I was starting to feel tired.  

We turned the corner back onto Market Street downtown and I saw the finish line just about the time, I had decided I was going to walk.  Once I saw the finish line, I knew I couldn't walk.  So one more internal negotiation later, I was pushing it again. 

I could see the timer at the finish and I was at about 36 minutes but I was pretty far away still.  I asked myself if I could cross before 37 min.  (I talk to myself a lot during races).  

51 seconds later I crossed the finish with a finish time of 36:51.  My Garmin beeped before I crossed the finish but I refused to look.  When I did it said 7:34.  No freakin way.   

I have NEVER seen that kind of pace.  Not even in college when we had to run the mile in under 8 in order to qualify to play each week.  

I couldn't believe it.  I'm still not sure I believe it but three different sources confirm it.  I headed home with a runners high that still hasn't dissipated. 

I came home to find Allie so excited about my finish she wanted to try it herself. 

Then it was time to eat and cuddle.  The life of a Mother Runner looks a lot like this..you just go from one thing to the next but this is the best ways to cool down if you ask me.   

We followed up our rest with a little stretching which E decided he wanted to participate in.  So that's our day has gone so far.  Now we're waiting to see fireworks.

Hope you're having a good 4th! Did you run?