Solstice Run Recap (aka the worst race pic in the world)

This past Saturday my running group participated in the Solstice Run in Northville.  This was the first time I've ran this race and I think it might be my favorite.  It started at the Northville Downs race track.  The funny thing about this is that my husband wanted to go to the track for his birthday this year, so I had been there before!  In fact, this came in handy as I knew where there was an indoor bathroom without a line, so I shared that knowledge with a handful of ladies waiting in the long line.

I didn't get there in time to meet with the 501 team for the group picture, but I did manage to find them before the start where Coach Gina took my pic.  

It was actually kinda cold in the morning, so I ended up running in my long sleeve tech shirt from the Mt Clemens half marathon in April.  We started the race on time and did the first lap around the track.  It was fun cause only a few months ago I won $3 on a horse on this very track!  Lots of fun!!

The race had a lot of hills, but I kept it slow and steady the whole time.  I was determined not to go out too fast, as I have been doing that a lot lately in my group runs.  I am proud to say that I kept an even pace throughout the entire race and never felt like I had to stop to walk.  Let me first state I don't think there's anything wrong with that, but I've never had that feeling until recently and didn't have it at all this race.

Split	Time	Distance	Avg HR	Calories
1	0:11:30	1.00	154	140
2	0:11:29	1.00	166	142
3	0:11:34	1.00	167	141
4	0:11:20	1.00	167	142
5	0:11:50	1.00	166	139
6	0:11:18	1.00	170	142
7	0:02:37	0.28	174	38
Summary	1:11:41	6.28	165	884

This is me trying to export my garmin info like everyone else.  Massive fail.  I'll figure it out sooner or later :)

Not only was the race a lot of fun and steady throughout, the 10 milers ran the same course, so about half way through we heard a very annoying honking of a convertible pushing us over to the side.  He was leading the 10 miler guy who was SOOOOO fast.  It was incredible just to watch him run past us - in that split second!  Later in the race, they joined us/passed us again and it gave us all a little boost to the finish.  Yes, he finished the 10miler before I finished the 10K, but I'm okay with that!

Toward the end of the race, I had enough juice in the tank to pick it up the last half mile or so.  It felt really good to not just end the race, but finish strong.  Stronger than any race I've finished so far.  LOVED IT!  They also called our names out as we were crossing the line and I actually heard my name - felt awesome :)

Here's the pic of me at the end of the race, just about to finish the line.  WORST RACE PIC EVER!  I don't even know why I'm even showing it to you, but here goes:

Not only do I look like I'm going to die, but I think my thighs are glued together.  Weird.  Oh well, it won't ruin my memory of such a fun race.

At the end was my favorite part: a mini expo for the finishers!  There were lots of fun tents with freebies and lots and lots of food.  More food than I've ever seen at a race.  I loved it.  Why don't more races do this?  At the expo before the race to pick up your packet, I'm too excited to race and don't have the time to check it all out.  But after the race, right at the finish line was perfect!  Lots of fun and I got lots of goodies!

After I got all the free things I could fit in my hands (they had no bags left), I headed to my car to drop it all off.  I then went back to the race line to cheer on the 10 milers and remaining 10K runners.  This part was SOOOO much fun.  I positioned myself on the course with a half mile left and really cheered my heart out.  I'm not normally that person, but I felt like people really liked having me there!  I got a lot of smiles, eye contact, 'thanks' and happy remarks.  This was a very very fun part of my day.  I probably hung out there for another hour and a half or so after my race.  Lots of fun!

Can't wait for next year!  I'll definitely do this race again, hopefully the 10 miler next year!!  Have you ever ran a race that you love so much you can't wait to go back??  This was my first one and I will be running for years now!