My Initial 10k - the Port City Turkey Trot

I use my senior in high school as my sounding board.  She'll tell me when one of my big ideas is destined to flop.  Earlier this fall I told her I was going to train for a marathon.  She stopped what she was doing, looked at me, and said, "No."  I don't handle rejection well, so I was like why...  Basically she was afraid I was going to die which managed to be both endearing and insulting at the same time.  

After I convinced her I was going to put the time in and do this right, she told me that I needed to run some smaller races to build up to it, like a 10k and a 1/2 marathon.  I was already planning to do this, but I told her it was a good idea, and started looking at local races.

According to my training plan, I was going to run 5.5 miles on 11/22, so when I saw Port City (a staple local brewery) was hosting their 5k/10k turkey trot on that day, I was in.  Very good call by them to have their turkey trot not actually on Thanksgiving.  Who wants to get up and run on that day!  Oh wait, I'm running a hilly 5k that morning because I'm a sucker for punnishment....  

In total honesty, I don't think I've ever run more than 5 miles in my life at one time.  I recently banged out 5 miles in just under an hour, so getting to 6.2 miles seems achievable.  Also, I get a free beer after running the race which sounds awesome.  (I'm easily motivated if you can't tell....)

Here are the brass tacks for the race:

• It's a very flat 5k course that is a straight out and back that I will be running two times.
• My target window is 1:15-1:20.  I know I can get the first 5k done in 33-35 minutes.  What I don't know is what to expect for a fall off when I run the course the second time.
• I love the way they did the water stations.  There is one at the beginning and one at the 1 mile marker.  That means that I'm going to pass a water stand every mile for the entire race which will always let me know where I am.  This should stop me from looking at my phone which can be mentally defeating for me.
• Act 1 of Hamilton is 74 minutes long.  If I cross the finish line before Non-Stop wraps up, I'm going to be ecstatic.
• In order to prep for the race, I only have done 3 miles this week, and some light mobility.  We will see how my 47 year old dad bod responds to a little R & R.
• I think the post race beer is going to be Optimal Wit, but I'll check back on that:)

So cheer me on Saturday am as this is the first major milestone to me conquering 26.2!

(PS Tomorrow the Patriots pre-game write up will drop at noon.  I absolutely nailed the Jets prediction and I've got a strong read on how the Bengals game will go, so check back!)