#TBT- Playing Catch Up- KDF (Ky Derby) miniMarathon

***I had this post typed up and ready to go back in April. The same day I typed it I was registering for the Disney Dopey Challenge and my computer went down!! Do you know how stressful it is to register for well I guess any Disney race?? Geez!***

The KDF miniMarathon is one of my favorite all time half marathons not only cause its flat but I have lots of memories there. This year was my 4th Derby half in the beginning of the year I had planned on it being another 1:59 or less half however the closer race day came I decided its no big deal whatever time it is it will be! And this year I also worked at the expo for a couple of booths Team Beef and Brickhouse Betweenathon so I was on my feet for several hours the day before. I didn't really think it would bother me but my feet and legs were sore & tired by the time I left...no biggie though :)

Sherry & I

The weather forecast leading up to race day was TERRIBLE and scary! They was calling for strong storms with heavy rain, wind, hail, thunder and lightening! The race officials even sent an email the day before saying (my short version of what it said) It is going to be raining but no storms. Since it will be raining you will be wet get over it you only get wet once and once your wet well your wet! Be prepared to be wet! LOL!!Nice thanks for the warning!! That left me feeling unsure of what to wear the temperature was supposed to be around 50 but overcast with rain do I wear shorts or capri's?? Shorts and long sleeves won :)

Sherry, Me, Angela & Jason Pre Race

Because I'm too cheap to get a hotel room I make the 1½ drive up that morning not a terrible drive at all only bad part is getting up and leaving so stinking early! I never arrive anywhere to early but somehow this year I got us there really early but it was nice we had plenty of time to use the bathroom relax in the hotel lobby on the couch chat with friends as you saw them I felt very relaxed at the start of the race. My friends had a corral "B" bibs so we just all jumped in that corral since they were singing the national anthem as we were walking to the start. (Sorry I know that offends some people getting the wrong corrals and such but I am respectful and stay to the side and I DON'T walk with in the first few hundred feet!!)

Go  Team Beef!!

Miles 1-4  9:34, 9:19, 9:15, 9:21

Off we went for this race everyone was on there own as this race is usually every one's personal race where you seek out PR's or just specific goal times. I tried to just keep a steady pace and not over do it in the beginning I know myself and I know how I tank at the end so I have been trying hard to focus on that in training slower start more energy at the end for stronger finish. The weather wasn't terrible it wasn't a complete down pour of rain just a light steady rain. Right before we started I remembered two probably the two most important things 1. I forgot to take ibuprofen 2. I left my music in the car I even made a playlist just for this race!! GRRR!! I felt great the first 3 miles but toward the 4th mile I started feeling a little pain in my knee which I have had during training which is why I take the ibuprofen before I start and it usually helps!! The pain wasn't enough to make me stop just yet but it left me feeling like I had a choice don't risk it or push through it?? I also had a negative experience of seeing someone I thought would've at least said Hello and instead went sailing on past me got right in front of me literally and never said a word....oh no now my emotions was kicking in!

Miles 5- 8  9;36, 9;52, 9;54, 9:41

I decided it wasn't worth it to entirely push through it but just keep doing the best I could. I really think if I had my music I could have ignored it lots and pushed a little more but knowing I had a marathon coming up in 3 weeks I needed to play it safe. My first plan was to keep running until half way point at least I started finding people around me to pace with. I found a man that seemed to have a nice steady pace I finally talked to him a little over mile 7 I told him my knee was bothering me and I was going to start walking any time now. He told me his calf was hurting him but I should wait to walk until Church Hill Downs and enjoy the sights! Hmmm that's a pretty good plan except I walked a little just before entering Church Hill. Church Hill Downs is where the Ky Derby is held the grounds are so beautiful and some of the horses are out practicing those horses are worth way more than I will ever be! There is 2 tunnels that you go down and up and I decided to walk those areas as they are dark and uphill. My knee was really starting to bother me more and more.

Miles 9-12       11:28, 10:44, 11:05, 11:14

After leaving Church Hill its usually the best part because you know then you are so close to being done and by that point you will know if you are going to meet your goal for the day or not! Obviously it was not going to be a 1:59 or less for me and I had a little moment of a break down and teared up over it, beat myself up over it then did my best at talking myself out of it and not sabotage the entire run. But my knee was throbbing or maybe it was in my head?? I came up to a little girl maybe 12-14 years old around mile 11 and she was crying so I asked her if she was ok? She told me her ankle was hurting so I asked if she has someone waiting for her at the finish line to take care of her she said her mom should have already finished. So I told her how my knee was bothering me just trying to talk to her and get her mind off her troubles, I also told her I'd try to carry her if she wanted me to but it wouldn't be pretty and might end up hurting both of us even more! She laughed so I felt better knowing I at least made her smile :)

Almost there!

Miles 13 &.17      9:42, 1:23

I tried keeping a slow and steady pace until the finish and ended up leaving the little girl behind. Some how I managed to pull off another 9:42 mile but I think its because I was just so ready TO BE DONE!!! Once I crossed that finish line I had a first....I went straight into the medic tent and had my knee checked out!! I kinda laughed when the doctor lady told me "You've got Damn runner's knee!" and just told me to take it easy for a couple of days and ice it!

Although I didn't get the finish time I wanted I was still thrilled to finish in 2:12:13 with an Overall Average: 10:02! 

Oh Thank Goodness I made it!

Eric, Sherry, Me, Angela & Jason Post Race