8K--Charlottesville 8K Race

We had a race today!  Chris and I got up early (4:15 am) and suited up, made coffee, and grabbed a small breakfast, then headed out.  It was still somewhat dark when we got to downtown Charlottesville, but found a parking garage close to the race.  The garage was across the road from a farmer's market that was setting up for the day. We gathered our things and then followed other people to race starting point and pass the finish line.  When we passed it to pick up our packets, it really looked like a small finish line--more like an alley.  But when we ran through it, it seemed much larger than that!

Once we got to the packet pick up, it was funny to see a 3 or 4 foot high pile of snow left on both sides of the entrance.  We got our numbers and checked our shirts at baggage check...I have got to remember to bring one of the bags that we get free with us...it would make baggage check much easier!  I had my Princess one in the car, but didn't bring it with us.  The marathon and half marathon people walked out for their start, and the arena was pretty empty.  Then they did a call for the 10K racers.  We followed the group to the starting area...which was uphill!!  Wow.  There weren't a ton of people--I found out later there were 195 people, but it didn't seem like that many.  

We started and joked a bit about the hill, then turned the corner.  The race took us through part of UVA (University of Virginia) and downtown Charlottesville.  It was a much hillier race than I had imagined, but luckily, I run a few hills here at home.  I really tried to push myself a bit, and walked a few times.  There was one water/gatorade station in the race, so I grabbed water at this one.  The most interesting place to see was an old Coca-Cola bottling plant--a brick building with the name on the top and 1939.  It was sad to see it was abandoned.  I talked for a short bit with a lady pushing a stroller, uphill...past me!  This was the first race she was pushing one--it was for a friend.  I was impressed.  

I finished the race in 55:31--averaging 11:11 per mile!  I was shocked that I kept my pace up.  We walked around the mini-expo after the race and visited some vendors.  Imagine my surprise to find out that we were walking around on top of an ice rink.  I knew it was a rink, but I had assumed it was a roller rink, not ice rink.  I figured this out when I removed my VFF to do some stretches and found out the floor was freezing!

We didn't stay for the awards, since it wouldn't take place until 11 am, and our race started at 7:00.  Plus we really had no reason to do so.  Imagine my surprise when we got home and my husband checked our times to find out I had placed!  Not overall, but in my age group--I had placed 4th out of 11 of women 44-49, and the top 5 in each group were announced and awarded something.  I emailed the contact and she has since let me know she will mail my award.  (I did offer to go pick it up)  Wow.  My first time EVER placing in running.  What a cool memory. 

Bad to the Bone did a great job on this race.  Ending in Downtown Charlottesville was very cool, the runners were energized and excited, and the overall experience was great.