Labor Day Road Race 2014

I traveled home to Georgia again to run the Labor Day Road Race in Macon. I made sure I was there in plenty of time this year instead of sprinting to the start like I did in 2011. I tried to warm up the best I could but the opening hill still killed my calves. They were so tight by the time I got to the top. I ended up stopping and pulling of my compression sleeves and trying to massage them out because the muscles were so tight they were restricting blood flow to my feet. I finally loosened up about half way in to the race. Everything was going ok but it was hot. The sun was killing me. It is one of the downfalls of running at night. The temps were actually about the same as when I run at night but the sun was baking me. I was feeling a little light headed as I got close to the 4 mile mark so I popped a couple pretzels in my mouth since I could see the next(and last) water stop at the bottom of the horrible hill at the end. When I go to the stop, they were out of water and I was livid. My mouth was so dry from running and then the pretzels made me almost choke. All I needed was a sip of water and they had NOTHING. I battled my way up the last hill, wanting so badly to just stop. I made it to the top and started taking advantage of the downhill for the last two miles. Every time I passed someone with a water bottle, I really wanted to ask if I could have some. Finally I reached the fire hydrant that they turn on for us and I took full advantage of it. I was SOAKING wet but I felt so much better. I finally felt good enough to really run the last mile or so and started passing several people that were loosing steam. I ran into the park and across the finish line with a time that was 10 minute better than in 2011. I really wanted an even better time and I know I could have ran better but things were just off that morning. It was nice to see that everything wasn't packed up when I finished this time and there were 10 people behind me instead of one. There was a group of girls handing out bottles of water with their church and I was very grateful since the race refreshments were no where near the finish. I grabbed the water and headed straight to the firetruck where they were spraying anyone that wanted it(mostly little kids). Rachel and I met back up, I grabbed a bagel, and we headed off to breakfast. Like I said before, it wasn't my best race, but I did improve from the last time I ran this race. One day, hopefully, I will be able to run it and feel great about it at the end of the day.