Sunday, April 11, 2010

I AM Hardcore - 16.1K (or 10 miles)!

"If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere.”
Frank A. Clark

This weekend, I am in Québec city. I'm having a wonderful time with my sister, who is here for a book fair. Saturday, I had 16K on the menu (of course I planned 16.1K, which is 10 miles :)). Now, Québec city is beautiful, BUT it is VERY hilly. I'm guessing runners who train here must do great in races! Also, today was a VERY windy day...I'm talking gusts at 80K/h. I was quite worried about what that would mean for me, being a rookie runner and all. The nearest park was "Les Plaines d'Abraham", which I was told had lots of nice running trails.
This is at the entrance and it scared me a little.
There were also these paths around the park.

The first 3 to 4K were done on hills and even on a trail in a wooded section. It was beautiful, but by the end of the trail I actually had to walk up the hill, it was so steep (this happened twice in all)! Then after a little more of the hills...there appeared before me, my saving grace...a track! It still had a little climb and a little descent as you went around, but really it was nothing. I'm not sure how long it was (at least 1K), but I went around about 7 times and I was at 12K when I left. Back to the hills I went, heading towards where I had come from.
The last K was almost all downhill and I was grinning like a fool as I was running down this beautiful street, towards my goal distance. This run was relatively slow, what with the hills and the wind, but I'm totally pleased with how I did. I completed 16.1K at 7.28m/K (or 10 miles at 12m/mile), which took me exactly 2 hours. Plus, I was feeling no pain and I felt good.Yay me!

I hope everyone had a nice weekend...looking forward to reading all the race recaps.
Cheers!

28 comments:

Sherri said...

Hills and wind...you must be a stronger runner after that!!!
Pain free is truly a blessing!
Have a great Day!

Pierre Lacasse said...

" Never, ever, ever give 100% in anything you do. . . Always give more!"
Written in 2010 by Rich Barnes --- Massachusetts

I think this fits you...your bro.

Jill said...

Oooo, that hill looks tough, way to knock that one out, girl!!! Awesome pictures...the town looks really cute and quaint. I need to venture up North someday - but not in winter ;). Happy Sunday!

Laura said...

Nice work on your 10 miler! I've not gone that far yet, I'm looking forward to getting in the double digits! You ARE hardcore :D

Teamarcia said...

Congrats on the 10! You ARE hardcore! I did 10 this weekend too. :)
Those hills are making me nauseous just looking at them but I adore Quebec!

teacherwoman said...

Nice run! Those hills and wind will only make you stronger!

Heather said...

Nice job on the run - looks like a hilly, beautiful run!

newrunner said...

Wow! Nice job on all of those hills, I am very impressed!!!

Julie said...

Hi Anne,
Nice work on your 10 miler girl!! You did it...I am proud of you:) What a gorgeous hilly course! You actually did it really smart by running a nice easy pace. You got the distance in and managed to stay injury free.

Iris said...

Great job with the hills. Glad you are feeling better - and strong!

kristen said...

WooHoo. Is this a long run milestone?! Hills are tough! GReat job.

misszippy said...

Good for you! Looks like a beautiful place to run and tackle some hills! Enjoy your time there.

Claire said...

Looks beautiful!! Glad you had a good run!

TMB @ RACING WITH BABES said...

So excited for you! Sounds like an excellent run!

Meg said...

Thanks for the pictures, I need a little trip! Sounds like you had a fun run!

Marlene said...

Congrats on your first 10 miler! Sounds like a wonderful weekend in Quebec City. I love it there!

ajh said...

I love the title of this post. My friends and I were talking on the way down here about how we want to go to Quebec City. I have always been intrigued by the marathon there in August. I liked your pictures.

MCM Mama said...

Sounds like a lovely run! Good job!

Johann said...

That is wonderful Anne! Well done! I don’t like running in the wind at all but sometimes it helps to cool me down and that can be a blessing in really hot temps. You are very dedicated and inspiring.

RunKathyRun said...

Congratulations and yes, YOU ARE HARDCORE! Way to stick it out and fight the elements.

Doesn't it feel great?

Will said...

great job. way to build up. 26.2 can't be far off now!

Jennifer said...

Excellent job! Sounds like you made the most of your adventure. Keep it up and you'll be doing a marathon in no time at all!

Jamoosh said...

That's a sweet 10 miles. Great job!

Jon Gilchrist said...

awesome effort!!

Anne said...

Looks like a beautiful spring day to go for your long run. Quebec conjures up so many romantic images for me. Must be the movies.

Judi said...

So fun to have a glimpse of Quebec! Gorgeous blue sky! I'm glad your run went so well even with all of those hills and the wind. (Have I told you how much I hate running in wind?)

Emz said...

YAY for you! Love the photos. Keep it up!

kilax said...

Great job on the 16.1K! I always wonder how I would be different as a runner if I trained in a "hilly" city!