The Avenue!

Today was the fifth time I've run at the Avenue of the Giants for the half marathon or 10k--and first time with baby-to-be.

This is such a beautiful race that I can't help but keep coming back. Each year since the first, I've gone with friends to camp, bbq tons of non-running friendly food the night before, hang out on the Eel River, and run the race in the morning almost as a happy afterthought. The course goes along the Avenue of the Giants through the (er, giant) redwoods up in Humboldt Redwoods State Park. It has gentle little hills, with sun and shade and green dappled together, and never feels crowded. One of the friendliest running clubs, Six Rivers, hosts; they always have nice shirts and throw a good finish line party. 

While I've done the half a couple times, I prefer taking it easier with the 10k, then cheering on friends who are in the longer races. That way I don't worry as much about my s'more and sausage consumption (or historically, beer.) This year it was great to run with friends who have gotten into racing more recently, in part through the training group I coach. Libby ran her first 10k, and Katy is on her 6th half marathon since this time last year.

Jeff, a grilling machine

Going into the race I knew I would not be able to push myself, and that was a challenge mentally. It helped that David had decided to run the 10k as a workout, so I knew he was also running much more slowly than he is able. I have been in the top few women racing the 10k before (it's a slow field) so I needed to tell myself ahead of time--more than once--that it wasn't even an option. I wore no watch, did not wear my club's racing singlet, and just focused on my breathing. Any time I felt my heart start to race, I eased up a bit. But it was definitely a workout.

 

My body felt great the entire time, but afterwards was a little different. My belly felt tight--no cramps or pain, just very tight. One of the women that camped with our group is 7.5 months pregnant, and she said that is how she feels after walking. This was the first time I felt like that. For the rest of the day, I also felt very sore, more at the level of having just run a half marathon than a 10k. But--I also had that great post-race endorphin rush. The additional soreness seems worth it to feel that again!

David, me, Lisa, Kelly and Libby after the race