Clove Run 2012 Recap

Yesterday I ran the 10 mile Clove Run in Castleton. This is the third year I have run this race, and I can't seem to get away from it. It is a very small race. The first year I ran the 5K and I wasn't a huge fan of the route. There were a lot of twists and turns. But last year I did the 10 mile race and I actually really enjoyed the route. So, I decided to do it again this year as a training run.

Fortunately the weather was cooperative. There was no humidity and it wasn't too hot. Felice, Cindie, and I met at 8 AM at my house and off we went. We met up with Tami, Elisa, and Karen B. and I even ran into an old friend from the Junior League. We registered and chatted and then it was time to line up.

I really didn't have a running plan. In fact, I hadn't even looked up my time from last year to see what I had to beat. I was just running for fun and to get my long run in. The gun went off and we started running. After half a mile, Elisa was ahead of me, and Cindie was behind me. Of course Elisa, Tami, and Karen were way ahead. I settled in and after a few miles, I realized I wasn't going to catch up with Elisa, and Cindie wasn't catching up with me. So, I was at it alone. But - it's a good race to run alone. It's a nice country run. And the route is so pretty.

I ran along, and stopped at each water stop. I took my gel at mile 4.5 I trucked along and when I hit mile 7, I was at my friend Jen M.'s house. She was outside with her kids and with a sign. They were all cheering! It was so nice. It gave me that boost to continue on.

The race has 3 major hills, and I had no shame in walking all three of them. Despite my hill walking, I managed to finish in 1 hour and 42 minutes. It was a PR for me, as I finished three minutes faster than last year!

Cindie, me, Elisa, Felice, Eileen, Tami, and Karen - pre-race!

After the race, we hung around and had some food and stayed for the awards. Felice, won second place, and Tami won third place, and Karen won a prize for her age group!

It was a great day, and it was a lot better than my miserable, humid ten mile run last weekend! What a difference a week makes! And of course - what a difference it makes when there is no humidity!

Next race will be on Sunday. There is a 5K in Stone Harbor, where we vacation, and Felice and I decided to run it. Why not?