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
Good for you for doing such a fantastic job on the race! Sometimes the heat can be a tricky element to battle.
Congratulations, Tina!! I am so happy for you. I know how much you enjoy running and what a damper the tummy troubles have put on you. I’m so glad you were about to come out victorious…and without pooping your pants. š
Congrats!! What a fun experience, running thru the stadium. You are doing great with all the recent developments on the health side. Keep it up, you have a lot of people cheering for you!
Congrats on a great race! That 10k looks like fun, especially the finish – hoping to run it next year.
Congrats on the great race!! š
Congrats!! I’m so happy you finished! And MAN! Mal was on FIRE yesterday, it seems!
Congrats on your healthy run! I know that feels awesome!
Awesome job! Glad your stomach held strong. Positive thinking does go a long way!
THAT IS AWESOME! Congrats š and what a cool race! Did you catch yourself on the big screen?
Personal anecdote, I have IBS and the first race I ran was a 10k and I felt like I was going to blow the whole time. I finished the race “clenching” my cheeks. Walked off with a smile and then sprinted to the bathroom faster then I’d run the whole race! ha ha! I PR’d to the bathroom. And gosh darn if I don’t get it every race now. The upside is that my booty gets a workout as well as my legs!
Great job! On to the next!
Yayy!! What a great race to segway you back into the running game. I hope you continue to feel better throughout the week!
Congrats on having a great race! So glad you’re getting back to where you want to be š
(your husband’s time was awesome! by the way)
Congrats girl! I bet it felt great to come back after a tough couple weeks! Sounds like you ran a great race in pretty touch conditions. I agree with you on the summer heat – why don’t ALL races start earlier??
I love love the idea of crossing the finish line at the football field. If you’re ever interested, I strongly suggest the Soldier Field 10 Miler in Chicago. It takes place every year over Memorial Day weekend, and you cross the finish line in the Chicago Bears stadium. It’s a completely flat course on the lake, and it’s my favorite race ever š
Congrats again!
Not only did you finish, but I think you had a great time! Very speedy! Hope that this is a good sign of what’s to come!
That is awesome! That is still a great time, and it sounds like an awesome race. I love that you got to run through the stadium!
Congrats! I’m so glad you are feeling almost normal again š
congrats Tina!!!
p.s. I was inspired to try something gluten-free because of you, and went with cookies…ohmahhgawwdd so good, it’s like cookie dough heaven. I am on the gluten free train..
Congrats!! Looks like it was a great time!! Both yours and M’s time = wicked. Hope you are close to being 100% recovered!
Congratulations, Tina! This is such an accomplishment, and your readers are so proud of you! What a difference a week makes, right? You’re doing great — and you’ll feel even better soon!
And wow, Mal! What a super fast runner!
so glad you are feeling better tina! that really is a great time for a 10K. i wondering if you will share with us what drugs are working for you…..
that sounds like a great race. Love how it ends with the tunnel run and the 50 yard line finish. So cool.
And wow – Mal was en fuego. Impressive! Glad you’re feeling better. š
My brother is such a HUGE Pats fan—this race would be right up his alley! Way to go, Tina. You kicked serious booty!
girl, you’re amazing! congrats!
congratulations to you and your speedy husband! so glad you were able to run the race and feel like your old self! happy for you!!!
Congratulations! I feel like every 4th of July race is just unbearably hot and humid.
And wow, congrats to Mal too! Very impressive š
Congratulations on finishing your race! I’m so glad to hear you are feeling better!
If you run the Boilermaker be sure to stop by the Chobani tent at the finish line!
The first line of this entry is awesome. Congratulations. I am glad it worked out. You guys are both fast!
Great job and congrats Tina and Mal! In my opinion, you’re BOTH speed demons!
Congrats Tina! I’m so excited for you…what an awesome victory!! You and Mal are so fast! He is extraordinarily fast! The sun must have gave him an extra fire boost or something! š
YAY!! So happy that you are feeling better. You are definitely a running inspiration! (And so is Mal! What a speed demon. Don’t think i’ll ever come close to either one of you!)
Wowsa, look at your time! You did awesome! Claim this one as a big ol’ victory!
And Mal freakin’ rocks! Speed demon for sure!
Well done š
Never mind the time, I know from my own GI troubles how crippling they can be and to run that time, in that heat with all that you’ve had to go through…you more than deserve a medal.
xxx
Congrats!!!!!!!! You’re a rockstar.
Congratulations! Unbelievable considering what was going on with you last week!
great job… but I kind of wish you had pooped your pants. is it wrong of me to say that?
@AJ: Yes. Obviously.
@Steph: noooo… she knows i only meant it in the way that poop my own pants.
@Steph: @AJ: This conversation = amazing.
Congrats! That sounds like a great race. We have one in Arizona called Pat’s Run in memory of Pat Tillman that ends on the Arizona State University 42 yard line. I love running into the stadium like a football player! š
Awesome, Tina! Congratulations! š
WOOT! Congrats, that is so very exciting! Nicely done, and congrats to your hubby too <—impressive time!
Woo-hooooo! Congrats. Hopefully this means you are back in action!
Congrats to you and Mal! Glad you’re feeling a little better. What a coincidence that we ran into each other there…!? Hope to see you guys again soon.
@Ryan @ EatSaveTravel.com: I know, right?! It was nice to see you briefly! Let’s get our Punch on next week! š
Awesome job on the race!! I knew you’d do well. I’m so proud of you for racing despite your recent issues! š
You did awesome! That’s a great time, especially considering the circumstances š
Awesome job Tina! I am so glad that you are feeling a bit better!! š
That’s a kick ass time!! Pun intended.
Congrats! What a great feeling š Glad you’re feeling so much better!
Congrats to you both! You Tina for getting out there and getting it done despite your illness and Mal for BOOKIN’ it to 45th place. Woo Hoo!!!
I’m super happy that you were able to run and ENJOY the race. I love that it finishes on the 50 yard line. That would be worth the drive for a 4th of July race. I’m a huge Pats fan!
BTW your tweet was hilarious.
love this post. Even though many would be having a pity party you are OUT there running and celebrating life! Get er girl!
Awesome job! I agree that all summer races should start at 7 a.m. or earlier. The heat is too much sometimes! Congrats on finishing strong. š
Best opening line for a blog post ever! (totally made me laugh-super glad you’re feeling better) Congrats to you!