Miracle Match 10K. Race #1 of 2016.

Happy February ya'll (hey, madre)! Currently multi-tasking while watching the Bachelor. Let's face it, that show does not require many, if any, brain cells to watch. But it's so entertaining, and I think I may even love Ben (kind of kidding). Anyway, I'm SO excited to finally get to write my first race recap of 2016! I ran the Miracle Match 10K in Waco on Sunday morning. The race benefited the Be The Match registry for bone marrow. Side note: if you're not registered, you should. I am. You could save a life. Keep reading for the best and worst parts of the race. 

To drive from my house to Waco is about 80 miles, an awkward distance because I didn't know whether to get a hotel Saturday night, or just wake up early and head south. I opted for the money-saving route, and just got up at 4:30 on Sunday morning to hit the road! With coffee, loud music, and race day adrenaline, I didn't even feel sleepy in the least bit.

Bibs with my name are my fave

The race started at 7:30, so I was about an hour early and got my packet picked up. I hung out in my car getting my bib ready and just enjoying the balmy Texas morning. Last year, I was part of an online running challenge group and met a super sweet fellow Texan named Marian. She was the one who invited me to run this race in Waco, so I got together with her right before the race. It was so good to see a familiar face!

Once we were at the start line, I started to get a little nervous, but was mostly just thrilled to have a bib on and get to run another race! The crowd was a really small, friendly group, which made the race atmosphere all the more fun. I had not run more than 3 miles since my half marathon in October, so my plan was to try to run 4, then run/walk the rest. 

The course started on an older street right near downtown Waco. We ran down that road for about half a mile or so, then ran around Baylor's campus for about 3 miles. I've been on the Baylor campus once or twice before, but had never actually been through all of the buildings. Holy moly, guys, that is one of the most gorgeous campuses I've ever been on! The route went through several of the academic buildings, and also around the football stadium. As we rounded the stadium, there were several US Army soldiers handing out water and collecting water cups. I've run a few races with military personnel on the "sideline" and I get emotional every single time. There's just something humbling, and doesn't feel quite right about these people who have committed to sacrificing their time and possibly even lives, serving people out on a fun Sunday morning run. So, to anyone serving in the military reading this, THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart. You're true heroes.

After running through Baylor, the last couple of miles were along Waco's riverwalk. I can't even tell you how perfect it was! The weather was about 60 degrees or so, with a light breeze, and running along the Brazos River was seriously the run of my dreams. I ended up running four and a quarter miles before taking a short rest break, but then "powered through" and ran more than walked the last 2 miles, which was such a victory for me.

After I finished, I waited for Marian to finish. She had to walk the race because of some pretty brutal injuries, so I knew I had a little bit of time. I am a huge fan of HGTV's Fixer Upper, so I googled the address to Magnolia Market. Lo and behold, I was a 15-minute walk from there! I decided to walk down and check it out, even though I knew they're closed Sundays. I hope to actually go shop there at some point!

Magnolia on a Sunday

I walked back to the finish line and got there just after Marian finished. She got 2nd in her age group, super awesome! Her husband ran the half marathon, so she and I went to hang out at the finish line and cheer on the runners finishing the half. There were several mother runners with little kids waiting for them at the finish line. Several of the kiddos grabbed their moms'  hand and pulled her across the finish line, and oh my goodness, it was so adorable. I'm so hopeful and excited for the day I get to be a mom that gets to do that, because it was seriously the cutest sight.

Neat firefighter medal for finishing!

After saying goodbye to everyone after the races, I headed back north to DFW. It was mid-morning and I didn't eat the fajitas at the finish line because I saved room for Czech Stop in West, TX on the drive home. I'd heard rave reviews about how they have the "best kolaches in the world", and as a breakfast food aficionado, I of course had to test this out! Turns out, I absolutely agree! I had a sausage, egg, and cheese kolache along with a pumpkin cream cheese roll and both were amazing (to those of you judging, I DID just run 6.2 miles and walk more after that). 

Stop. Here. 

While I was on my way home, I realized the disadvantage to driving more than an hour for a race: I have to smell myself the entire ride home. TMI? Maybe. Do I care? Nah. Everyone sweats, and most people smell funny. Thankfully I had my podcasts and music to distract me.

Some of you might remember I just started running again at the beginning of January after taking the month of December off after getting a steroid injection in my foot. My foot felt great the whole month with running and other workouts, but unfortunately it was pretty stinking sore after the race on Sunday. Alas, as many people say "if you're gonna be dumb, you better be tough"; so I'm going with that I guess, because not running is just not an option right now. You will not hear about foot pain again (I hope)! 

PS If you watch the Bachelor, who are you loving? Because obvs we all can't stand Olivia.
PPS What's the prettiest college campus you've ever been on?
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