I have never ran a 15k race before. So I signed up for the Space Coast Classic 15k and used it also as a training run for the Space Coast half marathon which is coming up in a few weeks. This was the first year SCC was supplying medals to all 15k and 2m finishers and the theme was the classic muscle car a Mustang. We are such BIG mustang fans in our household. Another reason I had to run this awesome race.

I had  to get up early to head to the course. The race took place about 30 minutes away. It was a pretty chilly morning for Florida. It was in the low 50’s and we had a very windy breeze coming off the ocean. The race was on the beach side through a really nice neighboorhoods. I figured I would head for the bathrooms first then after I decided to do some stretching and loosen up. I was shivering the entire time and just couldn’t wait for the race to start and hopefully warm up.

I lined up in the corral and they sang the national anthem. The race was to start at 7:15 am. After the national anthem they went over race details and letting us know all the turns and to listen to the volunteers directing us where to go and turn. I was worried about water stops at this race so I brought a Nathan handheld bottle. It was the best investment. It never once bothered me being on my hand and it was perfect amount of water for the distance.

The buzzer went off and we were on our way to run a 15k. The first 3 miles went by pretty quickly. I felt like I as being carried along this race. Mile after mile came and went. I was shocked when I hit the 10k mark and looked down at my watch and saw 58 minutes. I teared up, I couldn’t believe it said that time. I knocked 8 minutes off my last 10k time. See I told you I felt like I was being carried.

The last few miles I felt myself slowing down. The wind was getting pretty bad. Nothing like being forced in the direction of the wind. It wasn’t as tough until I got to A1A and took the turn and again was running in the direction of the wind, this time I felt like the flash busting through that wind. I pushed as hard as I could through the wind. Then there was relief when we took another turn and thank god for houses to blocking the wind from hitting me again. I hit the 9 mile mark and took a few seconds just to do a fast walk. My left hip was starting to ache a little bit. Once the dull ache went away I ran to finish the last .3 miles of the race. When I saw the finish line I hauled my butt towards it wind and all.

It was PR for me not only for a 10k time but also for the 15k since it was my first 15k race. I was very pleased with the overall race. But I wish they could have had a little more volunteers and maybe a few more water stops for those who didn’t have water with them. The race director was very supportive and was more then happy to give me a 2nd medal to send to my IRUN4 buddy Nolan. She has also signed herself up to be matched.

I went to check out the official results and couldn’t be happier. I was 5th place in my age group out of 15 ladies and my overall pace AHH! I kept a pretty steady pace the entire time. I’ve been working on speed training a lot and will continue to keep working on it. I plan to run this race again next year.