Success! 
Ā I am so proud of myself! My goal for the Black Cat 10 Miler was to finish under 90 minutes, and I did it!!
Monica, Chandra, and I woke up bright and early to drive to Salem for the race. We needed to pick up our race packets, so we made sure to get an early start. Unfortunately, we didn’t get there early enough because the race people āran outāĀ of t-shirts. Wicked bummer.
Monica and Chandra each received a shirt, but I didn’t. I know it’s just a shirt, but the shirt is one of the best partsĀ about running a race!! It’s a little memento that always reminds you of race day when you wear it.
I guess what bothered me most about the whole thing was there was no rhyme or reason for giving out the shirts. The three of us pre-registered for the race months ago and we all picked up our packets at the exactĀ same time. Plus, a number of runners, who picked up their packets after us, still received shirt. It made no sense. I know it’s just a shirt, but it left a bad taste in my mouth. Ok, I’m done complaining. Sometimes, I just need to vent.
Ok, back to the race recap!
Promptly at 8 o’clock, we lined up at the start line.Ā
And then we were off!
Monica and I stuck together for the first 3 miles or so, but I lost her on a big hill.
My little legs just couldn’t keep up. She was en fuego!
The course was a little hilly and very scenic. Salem is such an adorable town.
I felt pretty good for the entire race. I lost a little steam around Mile 9, but I finished strong and ended up coming in at 1:29:23, which was an average pace of 8:57! That’s fast for me!!!
- Mile 1: 8:39
- Mile 2: 8:48
- Mile 3: 9:00
- Mile 4: 8:44
- Mile 5: 8:49
- Mile 6: 9:11
- Mile 7: 9:02
- Mile 8: 9:04
- Mile 9: 9:20
- Mile 10: 8:35
After the race, I had aĀ huge smile on my face! I was so happy and proud of myself– and I didn’t care about that stupid race shirt anymore.
I bought my own green shirt to remember the race by. It says: āThe only difference between a good day and a bad day is your attitude.āĀ Indeed it is.
YAY!!! We did it!!
After the race, we headed back to my house. On the ride home, we stopped by Marylou’s for iced coffee, and I snacked on a banana and a Matt Damon Cookie.
All in all, it was a great race. I’m so glad that I had Chandra and Monica to run it with me! Good times.
132 Comments
Congrats on beating your goal!
I hate not getting a shirt! Or when you sign up for a medium and then they give you an extra large…grrr!
Great time on that run!
That sucks about the shirt, but congrats on your time!
I’m sure you’ve considered this before, but have you ever thought about getting an iPhone app for Carrots’n’Cake? You have so many fun recipes and stats and all sorts and users could even be notified every time you publish a new post? Just an idea! I think heaps of people would download it.
CONGRATS!!!!!!!!
Wow!!! I am in awe of anyone who just whips out 20 miles. YOU ROCK!!!!
Ugh, everyone knows the best part about the race is the T-shirt!! What a bummer, but to tell you the truth, I like your green shirt BETTER! š Congrats on the race girl.
Well done! 20 miles.. EXCELLENT! š
Thats a bummer about the shirt, but congrats on a good race!
Congrats!! : ) Great way to end the weekend!
wow – congrats! That is one speedy race š You should be very proud!
I would have been annoyed about the shirt thing too! My dad has t-shirt that says “I race for the t-shirts” and that is so true! haha! He got it at an expo one year. Congrats on the 8:57 average…you were smokin!
I would be really mad about the shirt too! At least the shirt you got instead was really cute.
I would have been pissed about the shirt too, races are expensive and the shirt makes it seem a little better. Great job on your time!
Wicked bummer on not getting a shirt, that’s the best part about the race! good for you for finishing strong though and kicking that 10 miles where it counts š
Congratulations!!! Great time. I used to race in high school, but I’m such a wimp about long races now. I’m scared I won’t race well and will disappoint myself. How did you get the courage up to try longer-distance races?
I don’t blame you for being irritated about the shirt – I would have been too! But, I’m glad you got yourself another shirt. š
Congrats! It looked like you guys had a lot of fun with this race! And I love the motto on your green shirt…so true!
Great job, Tina! It always feels awesome to accomplish your goal. I didn’t get a tee at my race yesterday either, just a dumb hat =/
I LOVE LOVE the tee you bought, but couldn’t find it on their website… is it there?
Congrats! =]
I didn’t see it on there either. Maybe try contacting the company?
I think the shirt you bought was better than the race one anyway! What a great reminder that we can mentally rise above and change our fate even on the crappiest of days! Congrats to finishing another race, and whew! Great pace!!
I’d be mad about the shirt, too! The race I ran on New Year’s ran out of finisher’s medals, they mailed them to people who didn’t get one at the race but still… the fun stuff is part of what makes all the hard work worth it!
GREAT JOB!!!!!!!!! i would be upset about the shirt too-esp. if you pre-registered!!! i had a TERRIBLE long run today!!! dumb it band!!
Congrats! I really do love reading your blog and I can not wait for your book. I have a question, has Monica stopped blogging? I also love reading “Run Eat Repeat” but the blog has been down for a couple days and am hoping it gets back up soon! Thanks!
Congratulations Tina, Chandra and Monica!!
Do not feel bad about the tshirt rant! I would have felt the same! I did a race this past weekend, and I was pissed that there weren’t any tshirts at all! and the registration fee was almost $40! boo.
congrats on your victory though!
I would have been peeved about the shirt too! But I like your idea to just buy your own! At least you’ll still have a way of remembering this race now. š
Also congrats on your awesome time!!!
Congrats on the race and making your goal!
Nicely done! I’m jealous of your time! It took me 10 minutes longer than that to do 10 miles yesterday, and I was exhausted!
* I meant 20 minutes!*
That sucks about the race shirt. But I like the shirt that you did pickup.
Agreed on the race shirt, but I have so many in my closet now and I could see them taking over! š Sorry you didn’t get one! Awesome time on the race – wow! Great recap and fun pics.
Wahooooo! Yea for you. Congrats Tina. ox
Nice job on your time! The whole shirt thing would have me fired up too!!
CONGRATS to you on your run and on achieving your goal.
i beg to differ…it’s NOT *just * a shirt. i ONLY do races for the shirt! and you DID receive unfair treatment. i can see if you registered late/last minute or shirts only guaranteed to first 1000 entries or something…but i would contact the race organizers and politely inquire. never hurts to ask!
Congrats on the race!
I know just how you feel. I ran a 10k on Saturday and when I went to pick up my bib and shirt they had only x-large left. You could sign up to get the shirt later (they didn’t say how). Hopefully I’ll get it soon.
Yay! Congrats! Looks like you and the girls have been having a blast!
Way to make the time you wanted! I love race shirts too… they aren’t necessary but they sure are fun!
Love the shirt quote! Gonna have to check out those cookies :>
Congrats on the race! I also ran the black cat 20 miler this morning š Such great running weather!
Nice job! Congrats…you should be proud!
I’m surprised they didn’t offer to send you one in the mail! I volunteered at a half marathon expo and that is what they did when they ran out of large shirts. I would have been mad too- rant away! Awesome job too š
Congrats! That is awesome time!
wow! you are such an inspiration! I love reading your blog. Those splits are great. I hope to run my first half marathon in the fall. Thanks for sharing. š
GREAT JOB! you go girl
awesome job!!! you deserve to be incredibly proud ^___^
Well done! And you’re all so colourful too š
Awesome job on your race! That must feel great to beat the goal you set for yourself!
ps I COMPLETELY agree about the tshirt thing. š
Congrats and surpassing your goal. I love when that happens š
Great job on your mileage time!
I don’t think I could run a race through Salem, too many amazing clam houses to distract me! š
Way to go! Totally w/ you on the race shirt thing – I have had a few experiences where the shirt sizing is all over the place. I’ve had size smalls be either ENORMOUS or so short/tight I can’t comfortably wear them. Boo!
That’s a major bummer about the shirt… I have put on a number of events where participants get shirts and making sure EVERYONE gets their shirt or at least making the shirt handout policy well advertised is a top priority. Major bummer… glad the race was a good one for you though!
Congratulations on reaching your goal! That is AWESOME!!
I love the shirt that you bought. The saying is so true and what a great reminder to have! š
Congrats on the 10 miler…that is *awesome*!! š