February 18, 2012 I raced in my hometown Blacksburg Classic 10-Miler. It was in the upper 50's under a bright blue sky at 1 pm. Today the sky is white with heavy flurries and temperatures in the low 30's. Not only did mother nature cooperate, but so did my body, which no master's athlete takes for granted. I tweaked my hip the week before the race and had a short and painful run just two days prior. I saw the chiropractor and D.O. and got some relief but was very worried about how I would feel at this race. I was not in a great mental state. But the minute we headed out from the start, I switched into race mode, and with each mile grew more confident that I would be OK for the full ten miles. I clinched the top female master's spot with a time of 1:13.37 which was just a bit over my PR there two years ago of 1:13.11. It put me in 4th place among the women, 50/284 among all men and women. Considering the less-than-ideal lead in, I was very happy. Compared to the similar result in 2010, I have to say this one felt much better and the speed and turnover came with less effort and stress. Quite a few times on the course I just though how grateful I was to be out there racing, and how happy I was to be in the moment. I love to run, and love to race, even with my ever-present "motorcycle hands".

With Coach Jim post-race

With some of my fellow local "Running Princesses"