Success!! I completed the Harvard Pilgrim 10K at Patriot Place without pooping my pants!
In all seriousness, finishing this race meant so much to me. A little over a week ago, I couldn’t even take Murphy for a walk around the block without an emergency trip to the bathroom. It’s amazing was some positive thinking, strong drugs, and a few dietary changes will do. A day later, I’m still smiling after my successful 10K finish.
Before the race yesterday morning, Mal and I met our friends, Elizabeth and Nick, to headed over to Patriot Place together. They picked up our numbers and t-shirts prior to race day, so we had plenty of time to hang out and ready ourselves before the start.
The race started promptly at 9:00 AM, but it was already super humid with the temps in the 80’s. The sun was blazing down on us while we waited in the corrals, so I started sweating even before the race started. Man, it was hot. Why don’t all summer races start at 7:00 AM?!
The 6.2-mile course started at Gillette Stadium, so the first mile followed the road through the parking lot and around the stadium.
The rest of the course was scenic and took us along a bike bath and through tree-lined roads and residential neighborhoods in Foxborough. It was very pretty.
Overall, the course was really flat with just one medium hill toward the end of the race– and it was nothing compared to the ones in Central Park!
The heat completely kicked my butt. I stopped at every water station (except for the last one), but the heat beat me. I tried to focus on driving my legs forward to keep up my pace, but my legs just weren’t having it. They felt like lead. Even still, the finish was so exciting, it was totally worth the effort to get there.
Just before the finish, you run through the stadium tunnel just like the Patriots football players!
And the officialĀ race finish is at the 50 yard line inside! So cool!
You can even see yourself on the giant 48-foot wide screen! Then, you can stick around on the field for as long as you want. It was awesome!
I finished in 54:18 (8:45), which wasn’t a PR by any means, but considering my condition last week, I’m really proud of my time!
- Mile 1: 8:25
- Mile 2: 8:31
- Mile 3: 8:42
- Mile 4: 8:48
- Mile 5: 8:57
- Mile 6: 8:46
Total: 54:18 (8:45 pace)
If your curious, my speed demon husband finished in 40:09 (6:28 pace), and placed 45th out of more than 3,000 people. He was en fuego yesterday!
I’m still not sure whether I’m going to run the Boilermaker next weekend, but I’m definitely on the road to recovery!
154 Comments
Great time and glad you didn’t poop your pants!
Congradulations Tina! I am so glad everything went really well and that you are feeling so much better!
Awesome job!!!! I’d say you definitely achieved something by not having an “accident” – I hope everything continues to get better!
hooray for no pooping! good job and im glad you had a good time!
So awesome to hear you are feeling more like yourself! And congrats to Mal!! What a cool finish line too.
Congrats!!!! What a cool race to participate in. Love the finish line š
Congrats Tina! You are a truly inspiration to me. š
Wow what an awesome finish to a race! And congrats on your great run with everything you’ve been going through!
That’s a great time, especially after all your stress last week! If I hit that avg pace for my 10K in Sept I will seriously jump for joy! And holy moly your hubs is fast!
Awesome job Tina! So glad you are feeling better!
NICE!!!!!!!! Excellent race!! Looks so fun. I’m so happy to see you out and racing again. And wow, Mal is f-a-s-t!!! Keep it up!!!!
Whoop! Congratulations on a great race.
Yeaha! good for you! I am glad everything is getting better š
So glad you had a good race experience – you look so genuinely happy!
HECK YES! SO AWESOME!!!!
Congratulations, Tina!! Yay for not pooping your pants! It was SO hot out.. I can imagine how much it must have kicked your butt!
That race looks so cool.. finishing inside Gillette and all!!
Congratulations!!! I’m so glad that you are feeling better, and I’m super impressed by your race time. Looks like it was a pretty cool race…it helps to have lots of interesting things to look at. š
Congrats again!
Mal is SO fast…and you are too! Great pace! Glad you are feeling better and on the road to recovery!
Congrats Tina! So glad that things are starting to look up!
Congrats!!! So glad you were able to run. Your husband is insanely fast, I couldn’t run 1 mile at that pace!
You should be completely proud of yourself for having the guts to even attempt the run. Way to go!
Congrats Tina! I am SO happy that your stomach is finally agreeing with you! š
Awesomely funny!!
Woohoo! I am so glad you ran, AND didn’t poop your pants! You totally made me laugh with that line!
What a way to get out of your own way and rock it.
Congrats on the run! š I’m glad you are feeling better and that you were able to run in the race. I hope you continue to feel better.
Hooray! Hopefully things just keep getting better and better for you! š
Awesome job, Tina!!!!! I ran an unofficial 10K (in my neighborhood) this saturday as part of 1/2 marathon training and you smoked my time, if that makes you feel any better!!
That’s awesome Tina!!! Congrats š I’m sure it was such a relief and such an accomplishment to finish the race!!! Hope your body is getting a hint to get back to normal.
That’s an awesome finishing time, even without any health problems! Looks like it was a really cool course.
Tina- Congratulations on running the race! It was SO HOT yesterday – I thought the same thing, why did they start the race at 9am!? Way too late for a July race. Maybe they will make it earlier in the morning next year. That finish line was quite something though!! Congrats again – hope the recovery continues!
That’s awesome! I am so happy you were able to do this and have no issues. It really gives me hope that I will finally get the right combo of meds/diet to defeat chronic headaches so I can get on with my life.
Congrats! That’s awesome that you persevered and did the race even though you haven’t been feeling your best!!!
Congratulations on no poop! Running a 10K is no joke, especially if you’re bouncing back from colitis. Such a step in the right direction!
I am so happy you were able to complete this, lady! I am thinking good thoughts about boilermaker! Keep me updated as you make your decision – I hope I get to see you SOON! xoxo
Great job Tina! And congrats to Mal for 45th place — that is awesome!!!
Congrats on not pooping your pants! lol It’s amazing thinking about how sick you were last week and now you’re running a race. Glad that you’re finally feeling better!!
That’s awesome Tina! Congrats on the race and not pooping your pants! š
Definitely something to be proud of- congratulations on getting it done!
So exciting. What a neat race! I ran in Houston Saturday morning at 9:00am and it was beyond miserable. The heat really affects my runs. The hotter it is, the slower I go. Glad you did the race!
I kept checking for updates yesterday. I’m so glad it went well!!
yay!!!
Congratulations on a great race! I am so inspired by your positivity.
I am so proud of you! And happy that the positive thinking, drugs and new diet are working!!
Haha – woohoo for finishing without pooping your pants!! When I saw that tweet of yours I seriously laughed out loud.
Yey! I’m so happy for you both that you were able to run and most importantly that you are feeling better! š
Great job, so glad you had a great time!
Yay Tina! I’m sooooooo happy for you that you ran your race! Woo hoo! Yes, isn’t it crazy how much a week can make a difference? I ran a race yesterday pushing my stroller with twins and you were my motivation when I wanted to cry at mile 7. ha! Keep your head up!
So glad to hear you were able to race! I would be devastated to not be able to run a race I signed up for. I hope this means you are officially on the road to recovery.
Congrats Tina! So wonderful to see you on the road to recovery and racing again š
Woohoooo! Congratulations Tina! That’s so great that you were able to turn your attitude around completely and finish the race. I’m proud of you! š