The title of this post in meant for the following picture:
For the first time in a long time, I'm having some serious blister issues. I've been doing some research on new socks (as I believe that is the culprit), but I have been a bit hesitant to pay $25+ a pair. I mean, really? I don't spend that much on underwear!?! I think I'm going to have to take the plunge though. My local Fleeet Feet is boasting a sale on Drymax socks and I think I might take advantage of it because I've heard good things about DryMax. A
As for by 10K review, I have no pictures from the race because they are on my mom's camera (and I am currently still not telling my mom how to find my blog although I know she's looking hard for it). So here's the info. Last month I ran the Gumtree 10K in Tupelo, MS. I haven't done a 10K since the Vulcan Run in B'ham in November. Back in November I was coming off my marathon training so I had a pretty good time (for me), but I honestly can't remember the time. I'm thinking is was 57:something.
I wasn't anywhere near that kind of shape for this, so my goal was under 1 hour.
The made it to the race for packet pickup with no problems. I was a little annoyed that the time chip wasn't in the packet and you had to go get in another line to pick up your chip. It wasn't too bad though. There were a good number of porta-potties and I went once with about a 10-min. wait.
The race start was a little frustrating because the wheelchair racers were started a what was touted to be the official start time. Don't get me wrong, I totally understand getting those racers started a couple minutes early for logistical reasons, but in my experience races give out the separate start times for wheelchair racers rather than making the rest of us just wait around after an inexplicable gun has gone off at the time we've been told we're starting!
So, we get started... And I swear to God I never saw the start! I didn't know when to start my Garmin! Grrr. The course itself was pretty good. We ran through some pretty, historic neighborhoods that my Grandmother grew up in so that was nice. I didn't particularly like the part when we had to run down a ramp onto Hwy 45 and run in one lane while traffic was still moving coming from behind us in the next one. There was plenty of police presence, but I'm a stickler for safety. Also, the last mile was mostly uphill, not a steep one, but the gradual kind that can be challenging when you're trying to push it to the finish.
Afterward, I got some fruit and a Gatorade that was readily available. The only water I saw was from coolers into little paper cups (not worth the hassle)! I went over to an area I noticed they were posting times. I had my info from my Garmin, but I wanted to see the official time. When I found my name I thought, well I was thinking I was a little faster (like 45ish seconds). I think the discrepancy was because there wasn't a mat at the start. I think they used the gun time for everyone and just used chips for ease of finish time. I could be wrong because WHY would they do that?? But nothing else makes sense.
Anyway, walked around with my parents at the Gumtree Art Festival and saw some pretty (and pretty random/interesting) things. Overall, I would totally do this race again. It was inexpensive, fun race. Most people seemed there to have a good time and everyone was really friendly (especially the guy who picked up my iPod for me when I dropped in between miles 3 and 4). I give it a B+, recommended!
Let me know if anyone has other suggestions on socks. I clearly need some help in that area!
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