Twilight 8K

After a few strong runs on the TM, I was feeling good about maybe running the Twilight 8K at 10:00/mo and finishing it in just under 50 minutes. After getting annoyed with the gym in general, I moved my runs outside and have been struggling a little bit due to heat, humidity and hills. Tonight was no different. I ran mile 1 in 10:15, and was slight peeved that I didnt kick it in gear when I was at 9:50 and could see the mile marker up ahead. The course lopped 1.5 times around a HILLY ass neighborhood before finally kind of flattening out and detouring. I haaattttteee rerunning sections. I ran to Marine Corps cadence the whole time but for some reason wasn't as pumped up as I usually am when that stuff comes on. It did help me keep pace for a bit, but after the first of 3 hills I started slacking of a bit. I got a mean side stitch that dulled and came back with avengance 3x, but finally got through that. Thoughts of defeat as I saw my split times getting further and further apart also contributed to slowing down a little bit. I only took water at one station and walked maybe 5x, for about 30s each. I refused water at the final 2 stations b/c I knew it would make me walk and b/c I was over half full on my Camelbak. Speaking of which, I think I took 4 sips period from the damn thing. I originally bought it b/c I couldn't run more than 1 mile without getting cotton mouth.Maybe I have learned how to run more efficiently and/or breathe a little bit better? It could also be the 4 cups of water I drnak in the hour before the race that made me have to pee 4 times before the race, including the time where I waited in line, hit the porta-potty, got out and got right back in line. Nervous bladder much? Long story short, I finished in 56 minutes and I am disappointed with that. That's essentially zero improvement over my 1st 8K in March. I feel slightly better knowing that I sprinted the last 0.2 miles and that some guy on the sidelines said "whoa look at that girl take off!". I felt good passing people who has been exchanging positions with me all race.

Gotta get in 9 miles tomorrow. I have an out and back course planned that shouldn't be too too bad. Hopefully my legs feel good tomrrow!