The Blacksburg Classic Flat Stanley Race Report

This past week Flat Stanley came to stay with us, and when he found out that I was scheduled to run a 10 mile race, he insisted on running with me.  I usually race alone, but I decided to allow it just this once.

The race didn't start until 1:00 pm.  This allowed me all day to be nervous and grumpy, and to make the grave error of not drinking anything after 6:30 am because I didn't want to need a bathroom break during the race.  I don't know what I was thinking.  Apparently I wasn't thinking at all, actually.  Flat Stanley should've said something.

As soon as we got there, Flat Stanley saw a college student doing pull ups on a tree limb.  He immediately climbed into a pine tree and did some pull ups too.

Then he got down on some soft pine needles and did 400 push ups.  This is why Flat Stanley stays so skinny.

It was a warmer day than expected (55*) and I found myself wishing I'd worn a tank top instead of a long sleeved shirt.  Check out the purple Zensah calf sleeves my parents got me for Christmas - I adore them!

Flat Stanley was pumped for the race and waved at everyone who passed by.  No one waved back.  Poor Flat Stanley. 

The boys had a 'special treat' picnic lunch before the race started.  We don't do Lunchables often, but when we do they sure get excited.

The race started and within the first minute (seriously!) I had a side stitch, the result, no doubt, of abstaining from fluids.  This really made for a slow start for me.  At 2 miles there was an aid station, and I stopped and drank a bunch of water.  The stitch persisted.  At 4 miles, I stopped and drank water again, and voila, the stitch immediately vanished and I was good to go.

This is when we ran past a bunch of fields full of cows.  Flat Stanley complained about the stench.  It was kind of stinky.  At mile 5, the hills began for real (previously, it had been gentle rolling hills).  Flat Stanley and I started pushing a little harder, glad the side stitch was gone. 

Meanwhile, the boys were doing this -

Oh how Flat Stanley whined about those hills.  I began to resent all his complaining, and threatened to throw him in a cow pie.  He got quiet after that, until he noticed I had a vanilla Gu, then he started saying he was sooooo hungry and could we please eat the Gu?  I made him wait until mile 8 to open up the Gu.  The last mile had a rolling hill in it, but it certainly felt long at this point.  My right glute was sore and complaining, just like Flat Stanley.  Finally, we saw the finish line.

I ran 1:26:56 which is around an 8:42 minute mile.  I would've liked to have run a few minutes faster, but considering the side stitch and all the hills, not too bad.  Behold, the finisher's medal (poor Flat Stanley, no one bothered to give him one. I think he enjoyed the race anyhow, although he claims he's leaving and going to Texas....)