*RECAP* Gone For A Run's Run Now Beer Later *Virtual* 10k

Note: I received complimentary entry into this race through my ambassadorship for Gone For A Run. All thoughts are my own. Ain't nobody got time for lyin'! 

What would you do the day after a half marathon? Relax? Put your feet up perhaps? Maybe sleep in?

Well I completed the Gone For A Run Run Now Beer Later *virtual* 10k. I had planned on doing this BEFORE said half marathon, but my schedule had different plans! :P

According to the site, Gone For A Run wanted you to complete the race between September 25-27. Well I already had the ZOOMA Women's Half on the schedule for September 26, which left two possible dates. That is where work threw me a curveball leaving me with enough time to squeeze in a 5-miler on September 25. So the 27th it was.... 

Now in actuality since this is a virtual race and you are not submitting times to Gone For A Run, I could've completed it anytime I wanted. BUT I tend to follow the rules... occasionally! ;) 

On Sunday, my entourage (aka my wife and my dad) and I headed to the Cape Cod Canal. This would mark my final run along the canal in 2015. We have had some amazing times there this summer. Me running and my wife and dad on their bikes.

It was a gorgeous New England Fall morning and I was ready to shake the legs out with a relaxing 6.2 miles along the water.

I was ready to get some stares while I ran. Why? Because I was rocking my race bib. I take virtual races just as seriously as actual races. :) We joked that people probably thought I was either winning the race or WICKED lost! Haha.

The groupies were ready and I hit start on the Garmin. Oof the legs were sore. Luckily it only took 1/2 a mile for the legs to warm up. 

I kept the plan simple. Run 3.1 miles down the canal, turn around and run 3.1 miles back to the car. Think you could follow something like that! ;) Nothing fancy here. 

The path along the canal has slight inclines and declines to them. Nothing really too noticeable until you are 1) wicked tired, 2) not in a running mood or 3) faced with incredibly annoying headwind.

Thankfully I was loving the run after Mile 1 and didn't even get grumpy at the headwind. <<insert shocked face>> Headwind is usually my nemesis.

Mile 1: 8:49
Mile 2: 8:31
Mile 3: 8:32

We stopped halfway through to have a quick water stop. Good thing about having my crew with me means I don't have to carry water or food on me. I was so ready to run that morning that I forgot to grab my mini luna bar. Thank goodness the run wasn't longer than 6. I knew I could power through. 

Usually we all look at the camera, but clearly I was trying to do a sneak attack here. Haha. They were both distracted by the large sailboat coming our way. It was a 40-footer at least. Pretty pretty boat. 

No matter how long the run is - it is always sweet to hit the turnaround point. You know you are coming down the home stretch. I was shocked by my pace on the first half, especially after a 1:47 half the day before. 

It was rather calm along the water, which made me suspicious. And I had a right to be. We turned around and BAM!

Hello Headwind! GAH! :P

I expected my pace to drop on the back half, but I wanted to try to post a nice consistent run. I didn't, however, want to pay too much attention to watch. I wanted to listen to my body. So I flipped it over so I wouldn't be tempted to check it. Instead I only looked when it beeped for a Mile.

Mile 4: 8:33
Mile 5: 8:33
Mile 6: 8:31

FINAL: 53:11 (8:35 min/mile pace)

Yahoo!!! Love that sweet medal. :)

Overall the run went well. It was evenly paced. I didn't feel like I was pushing it at all. I was properly hydrated. I had a gorgeous view and a motivating crew. I just wish I had remembered a mini luna bar for my mid-way rest stop.

Big thanks to Gone For A Run for sending the bib, medal and swag out ahead of time. I like having the medal in advance so I can put it on as soon as I finish the run. We actually kept it in my wife's bike bag while I ran. :P