My first 4 mile Race

Sunday, I ran Blazing Trails for Autism: 4 miles in Great Neck. The race started at 9:30am so I had plenty of time to get ready in the morning and then get to the race. No need to feel exhausted or rushed. When I arrived I had to park so far away from the registration pick up. The school campus is really beautiful with a wooded path behind the buildings. It seemed like a 1/2 mile hike. When I finally got to the gym for my number and goodie bag...oh and a real bathroom! ....I realized I wasn't going to wear the really nice hooded sweatshirt...I couldn't believe there were some who actually wore it during the race???... so then I had to walk back to the car again. And then......to get to the starting line......another trip back to the gym. This time I ran so I could warm up a bit. Lots of people were doing the same thing. There were plenty of politicians in full force at the race start as well. It appeared at the beginning to be so well organized. Finally the race began!! I was off to a nice start...comfortable especially since it was all uphill to begin. There were a lot of volunteers along the course either shouting encouragement, pointing out well marked obstacles, like cracked pavement etc. And there were timers calling times at mile #1 and mile #2. The course itself was comprised of a lot of rolling hills. It seemed like every time I reached the top of one thinking it was the last one, there was another one waiting for me to climb. But, I told myself that for this race I was not going to stop running no matter what. I read an article somewhere, that it is best to keep running. I believe it kept my momentum going when it seemed to waver. I avoided the crowed water stop at mile #2. Way too many people and not necessary. I had enough trouble a watching out for thrown cups! The end of the race was one lap around the school's track. The announcer was great; calling out every runner's name and time as they crossed the finish line! Definitely a very big job. My final time: 38:33 and a 9:39 pace. I was extremely pleased with my results. The food at the end of this race was awesome. Someone was handing out bottles of Gatorade as you walked off the course. And then,there were tables of bagels, bananas, apples, lots of different drinks, including water,
and lots of cookies and snacks almost all gluten-free and wheat free. Lots of seconds as well. A far cry from the Diva race, where the Gatorade was rationed or the Cow Harbor race where all they had was seltzer water?! This was a really well run well prepared and nice race...oh and lots of raffles as well. Too bad I didn't win the Cannondale bike! No big deal it was a great race, lots of fun and will enjoy running it again next year.