The Mid Winter Classic 10 Miler kind of sneaked up on me. I registered for it back in November after my running buddy suggested it. It sounded like fun since I never raced a 10 miler before. It turns out my friend wasn’t able to run the race so I was going solo not only on the run but for the trip North to Cape Elizabeth. I gave Ron and the kids a free pass on this one.
My plan was to leave at 8 for the 9:45 a.m. race. That would give me plenty of time to get there, pick up my bib, use the bathroom and warm up a bit. Amy was going to be racing too so we were going to meet up. In theory, it was a good plan. However, when the directions that you got from the race website are completely wrong and you get lost 3 times, everything doesn’t go as planned.
Thankfully, I had a general idea of where I was going and happened to stumble upon the right way. I pulled into the parking lot with less than 10 minutes to spare before go time. Definitely not my ideal way to start a race!
As I was jogging up to the starting line, someone grabbed me – Amy! It’s always so nice to see a familiar face!
Amy and I planned to stick together for a bit. I wasn’t sure how my knee was going to hold up. We were both freezing waiting for the gun cannon to go off (yes they started the race with a cannon!). The temps were in the mid 20s with a few flurries and windy. Extra motivation to run fast!
I had no idea what the race course was like. I know the description said “rolling hills” i.e. lots of hills. Someone had told Amy that the first 3 miles were the worst. The good news is at least we’d warm up quick. The bad news? That person LIED!
In the first 1.7 miles I think we climbed 2 hills. At this point Amy told me to keep going. I was feeling really good despite the hills. I was letting gravity and momentum do it’s job on the downhill. I don’t remember much from miles 3-8. I zoned out. I just ran, looked at other runners shoes, clothing, form. Whatever it took to not think about the next hill.
By mile 8 the wind was hitting us right in the face. It was cold and quite irritating. I was mostly alone so there was no one to tuck behind to block the wind. I knew that there was a mega hill coming up at mile 9. As I started to climb, I could feel myself slow down a lot. The wind was horrible! Thankfully, at that moment, a tall guy came up beside me. I discretely tucked myself behind him. Instantly my load felt 10x lighter. Mr. Tall Guy was working hard pulling me up the hill. He was grunting and pushing but cruising at a good pace. We climbed for at least 3/4 mile. At the top, I got besides him and thanked him for pulling me up the hill. He actually thanked me for giving him the extra push. He could hear my foot falls behind him and was motivated to keep moving!
After that killer hill, I felt lighter. I picked up the pace for the last 1/4 mile and crossed the finish line at 1:23.
No frosty eyelashes this week! 
This was my first 10 miler race so I didn’t have any expectations. I liked the distance. I disliked the hills. I don’t think I’ve ever run that many hills in one day. One of my concerns going into the race was if I’d feel good. After taking 2 weeks off entirely from running and the longest distance run last week was 6.5 miles, I’d say my body responded well. This gave me another boost in confidence that my body can handle a marathon if treated the right way.
i was wondering how this distance would go for you! great job!
Lindsay @ The Lean Green Bean recently posted..Bean Bytes 23
Thanks Lindsay!
You were looking great right from the start! I wish I could’ve kept up with you, but the hills were very much a challenge for me at your pace
The last mile was the worst, but at least we were given the short downhill sprint to the finish line. Glad I saw you walking toward the starting line! Until next time…
AmyC recently posted..TrainingTruths: Feeling Fast & Super Fun
I’m glad you found me too! Along the course, I talked to another runner who informed me that the course was in fact ALL hills. Whoever told you the first 3 miles was the hardest was wayyyyy off!
You did it! We are so proud of you!
Thanks Mom!
ok I HAD A COMMENT AND I LOST IT when I saw your GRANDMA COMMENTED.
Love. Love.
Love!
Miz recently posted..Strong is NOT the new SEXY (my thoughts)
haha! That’s actually my Mom!
Aw grandma is so sweet! You kicked butt girl, happy dance!
Kat recently posted..Motivational Monday – Featured Sneakers #17
Oh brrr. But sometimes that keeps you moving faster. Sounds like a crazy tough course but congrats on that time!! Love that mr tall guy thanked you too
Heather (Where’s the Beach) recently posted..5 by the 5th February
I definitely wasn’t expecting Mr. Tall Guy to thank me. I thought for sure he’d be giving me the stink eye for making him do all the work!
Great job, I love 10 Mile races
wind and hills are tough 
Jen recently posted..Marathon Monday: Week 3 Training
Boo to wind and hills. Although I think I dislike wind more than anything. It makes you feel like you are barely moving.
Congrats, Angela! That sounds like such a tough course, and not-so-fun conditions. I’m so glad your knee held up so well… that’s definitely encouraging. And so fun to see Amy there, too!
Laura @ Mommy Run Fast recently posted..Weekly workouts, Chocolate Cupcakes and Menu Link up
Thanks Laura! Seeing a familiar face after getting lost and rushing around calmed me down a bit for sure.
Congrats! Sounds like you stayed strong on a tough day…that counts for so much. Very happy for you!
I love the 10-mile distance. We have several good ones around here and I always try to catch a couple each year. It’s nice not to have a . something to go at the end, isn’t it?
misszippy1 recently posted..Super Bowl
Thanks! I felt really, really good despite the weather. I went in thinking it was just going to be a ‘meh’ kind of run. Definitely surprised myself!
Congratulations! That’s an amazing time all on it’s own, but with hills, wind and cold? incredible! 10 miles is a fun distance, one of my favs! Nice work out there lady!!
RunWiki recently posted..Book Review: Think Like Zuck
Thanks Lisa! It was fun despite all weather and hills. I think I found a new favorite distance!
Awesome job!!!
Kim recently posted..Monday Morning Blues
Thanks!
Nice job! I love 10 milers – that seems to be my magic number. Good job getting through the wind and the hills – I HATE that combination and can totally empathize!
Rachel B @ Busy Mama Fitness recently posted..Change Your Picture
I’m not a fan of hills at all considering I live at sea level!
Congrats Angela!! I’m so glad to hear that your knee didn’t bother you. After running my first half marathon on a course described as “rolling hills,” I kind of try to avoid anything like that now because those hills are always endless! I like the idea of a 10 mile race and am thinking of entering the lottery for the Broad St 10 miler in Philly.
Christine @ Love, Life, Surf recently posted..Are you ready to ski?
Don’t you love the wording of courses? They make it seem so gentle and easy on paper. Ha!
I love 10 mile races! I’ve only done one and it was on trails and it also was hilly and hard, but I still loved it. At least it wasn’t cold!
Wow, that just looks too cold. But you did great considering the hills and arriving late (hate that!). Smart to tuck in behind the tall guy.
Debbie @ Live from La Quinta recently posted..Weekly Training Recap: La Jolla Half Marathon Week 2
I really liked the distance. I’ll have to keep my eye out for more 10 milers. Mr. Tall Guy was a miracle!
Sounds like a fun one! I personally really love anywhere from 10-13.1 miles — favorite distances for fun races actually! It’s these, where I’m not really racing racing, that the best!
Ericka @ The Sweet Life recently posted..Running Motivation War: Winner!
I love 13.1 so 10 was just as great.
Great race, great pace. I don’t see a lot of mid-distrance races in my area, but I think a 10 miler would be very fun, and a good early marathon training race to gauge your speed on!
Crystal@TheFastFitRunner recently posted..16 Week Bumpdate!
I haven’t really seen too many 10 milers. That and 10k’s. It seems like it’s always 5k, half or full marathon. It was a good distance for sure.
Woo hoo!! Fabulous race! Yeah – that person definitely lied saying that the first three miles were the worst. Definitely the last 2 miles suck the worst. Next time we’ll meet!
Jen recently posted..Midwinter Classic Recap Time
Good job! I’m such a wimp when it comes to running in the cold! You rock!
Kelly @ Laughter, Strength, and Food recently posted..The Monday After
You are so awesome! I would have been stressing out about running late. That kind of stuff makes me so nervous. I am so glad it worked out, you found your buddy and had a great run!
Melanie @ Nutritious Eats recently posted..Spinach-Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms & Meal Planning
Believe me, I was stressed out majorly. I think my heart rate was higher those 10 minutes than it was during the whole race!
Awesome job!! Sounds like a great challenge and you rose to it with ease! Nice work!
Katherine recently posted..Love me some Falafels!
Thanks!
I am DYING to do a 10 mile race. I think I would love that distance. I laughed when I saw your description of slightly rolling hills, I think we have all though that
SO deceptive! Why don’t they just say roller coaster hills?
Great job, Angela! Those hills sound killer.
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Great job on the race! New England hills and cold are no joke =)
Liana@RunToMunch recently posted..Cape Cod Frozen (Half) FatAss 25k Race Report
Living at sea level really has changed my idea of hills. I small bump is a hill to me now!
What? You were there too? So many people! I ran it too and I thought the last 3 miles sucked as well. Great time. I was not prepared for 3 more miles after 7…. lol. Even though I did know it was a 10 miler.
Michelle recently posted..When 10 miles is not 6 miles–Mid Winter Classic Race Report
I wish I would have known ahead of time that all these awesome bloggers were running!