I ran the Kelly Carter 10K Scholarship Run on Saturday.
The sun was shining and it was a warm day. Coming into the race, I had a bad night of sleep. I couldn't shut off my brain and got less then four hours of sleep. When it came time for breakfast, I wasn't hungry. I only ate half a Clif bar
When the 10K started, a teen boy took the lead and I was in second. I got excited because I heard footsteps just behind me on the left. I thought I would have someone to run with. That excitement didn't last long because the footsteps slowly faded away. I was running alone again.
I crossed the mile mark in 8:30 and I could feel myself starting to slow down over the second mile. I told myself to get going. I ran the second mile in 8:30 again as I crossed the second mile in 17:00. The third mile, I really had to watch my footing. The road had new stone put down and on the side where I was running there were a bunch of huge cracks and holes. Since new stone was also put down, the grooves in the road were pretty bad. I had to make sure I was running in a groove, so I didn't trip. While concentrating on footing, I crossed the third mile in 26:xx.
The course took us across a busy intersection into a quiet neighborhood. In the past, there are usually volunteers at that intersection stopping traffic. When I ran up to the intersection, no one was there. I checked left, right and left again before stepping out. I saw a car coming on my left. I was thankful that they were slowing to turn right. There was a car to my right, but still a little ways down the road. I crossed the intersection safely.
Heading into the neighborhood, it was quiet. I only saw one vehicle on the road the entire time. Even crossing the fourth mile, I didn't see a volunteer until he spoke. The volunteer parked in a driveway and was leaning over a branch. He didn't say the time very loud, it just sounded like a whisper. Since it was so quiet, I don't even remember what was said.
I passed the fifth mile in 46:xx. As I approached an upcoming left turn, volunteers were standing next to a water table. I just saw them standing there with their backs towards me. They didn't even realize I was there until I was side-by-side with them. They asked if I wanted a drink, but by the time I asked, I was already by them. I didn't want to stop and turn around to get water. I just kept going. Running out of the quiet neighborhood and back to the busy street was better this time. There was a group of three guys sitting at the corner. They saw me coming and they all stood up and got in the street to stop traffic. I ran between two guys to cross the street and I said thank you to them. My race was almost over and I could feel it. I had to run through one more busy intersection with a stop light. I was thankful that when I ran into the intersection, my way had the green light.
When I turned the corner to head to the finish line, I could hear people at the finish line call my name. I picked up the pace and crossed the line in 57:15. One of the ladies at the finishing area joked and said 'last runner'. That is a joke between us because just a few years ago at a race a volunteer followed me on a bike because I was the last runner in the race. When I was crossing an intersection, the guy on the bike called out to the other volunteers, 'last runner, last runner'. I didn't make me feel too good. So when she said 'last runner', we just laughed. I was not the last runner on this day. I finished second overall and was the women's winner. It is amazing how far I've come in running in just a few short years.
My time wasn't the greatest, but that is due to the lack of sleep and food. I know I can do better. Onto the next race.
The Bridge at Chappaquiddick, Jack Olsen 
