Yesterday, I ran the Annapolis 10-mile Run.

It was my first time in Annapolis as well as my first race in Maryland, which now brings the number of states I’ve run in up to three (California, Virginia, Maryland).

Because Annapolis is about 38 miles away from Washington, DC, I had to rent a car to get there. Driving on the East Coast has been an interesting experience. Let’s just say, Californians are much better at marking our signs and exits, plus our drivers accelerate while switching lanes and pass using the fast lane (on the left).

All that aside, the Annapolis 10-miler was amazing.

Annapolis is a beautiful, quaint little town and running down main street really made me embrace the culture of the East Coast: cobblestones, small mom-and-pop shops, tight-knit communities.

I was determined to go out there and have a good time.

Before the race even started at 7:45, the sun was already out and beaming down.

Note to self: Wear a hat next time.

Honestly, since I’ve moved to Washington, DC about two weeks ago, the longest distance I’ve run was the 3.5 miles at Run Amuck.

I thought I wasn’t going to finish the 10-miler. But then I decided that I was going to run for fun. It is true that races are about finishing time but running is about enjoyment.

For the first seven miles, I was beaming with happiness. I was all smiles, high-fiving all the race supporters, waving a children, living in the moment.

The scenery was gorgeous. Running across the Annapolis bay bridge (I think that’s what it is called…), I was just blown away by the sight. The sun glistening off the water, the boats in the harbor, the trees covering the mountains. It was beautiful. I couldn’t have asked for a more scenic run.

However, included with the scenic run are elevation and hills.

I do not train on hills or inclines as much as I should (read as very rarely, if ever). But I refuse to be defeated by a hill.

I plodded my way through and even though I was only at mile four when the elites were making their way to mile 9 (cue fast runners finishing 10 miles in less than an hour…), I didn’t care.

This run was about me. It was about my determination, my desire to finish, my strength to prevail.

At mile 7, half of my race bib came undone, so I decided to walk for a few minutes so I could pin it back on.

And it was during this walk that I experienced the worst side stitch I have ever experienced. It felt like abdominal seizures, like a charlie-horse but in my lower abs and sides.

I can’t decide if it was from being dehydrated or over-hydrated, because at that point, I had just past a water station and chugged 1 cup of Gatorade and 3 cups of water. My belly was sloshing around, and I was experiencing the half-puke half-burp sensation. (Too much info? Nah.).

Mile 7 also happened to be where the runners all started climbing a steep hill, probably the steepest of the entire race.

Curious about the elevation profile?

All I could think about was how close to the finish line I was.

I did not run more than half of this race to quit now.
I did not put myself through heat and hills to not cross the finish line.
I did not drive all the way to Annapolis to give up.

And so I persisted.

Eventually, after my stomach stopped feeling like a water balloon, the side stitch went away. I also saw the mile 8 marker at this point and I knew that nothing was going to stop me now.

I ran the last two miles.

Towards the end, it wasn’t the easiest of runs, but what I learned was that if I go into the race aiming for fun, it makes things so much more enjoyable.

Smiling throughout a race really does make the miles fly by.

I finished in a bit over 2 hours (not sure on the official time yet), but what matters most is that I finished.

 
What I learned from this race?

It’s time to get serious about my full marathon.

Running is supposed to be fun. Don’t ever forget that.

Finishing is the most important. It’s about completing what you started.

I can do it.

 

How do you train for hills?

What have you learned from races?

I am still sorting through all the Drop Dead Gorgeous by December entries for this week. Check back tomorrow!