This was a big, real big goal for me. Beginning with the fact that just a year ago I couldn’t even finish a 3k. But I started adjusting my training, started walking more, doing yoga a couple of times a week and ran two other 5k with almost no issues. So I decided that running a 10k would be something I could give a try. So yes I signed up for the Statesman Cap 10k in Austin, the largest 10K in Texas and the sixth largest in the nation. This year the race was set for in person, but they made some adjustments because of COVID and changed it to a virtual format to follow the city's guidelines and keep the community safe, which I'm all about as well. The virtual race featured 10 different routes across Austin area, the Austin Coffee House 10k Sunrise Tour, hosted by local Coffee Houses and Breweries.

I really liked the idea of going to Austin and running one of the 10 routes. My husband also signed up for the race because he loved the idea of the 10 different routes, and we felt like it was not going to be a crowded event, and took advantage of the nice weather and made it a fun weekend getaway, we are just 2.5 hours from Austin.

The day before the race we went to the contactless drive-thru packet pick-up. (I was supposed to get mine in the mail but I didn’t get it on time) my husband got his packet including his bib, medal and t-shirt. Mine was on route but they still gave me the goodie bag and a T-shirt. The goodie bag was great, included snacks, drinks, and supplements for the run. The event was very well organized, volunteers were very helpful, everyone was wearing their masks and it felt super safe.

We ended choosing the Das Weg Läufer 10K
Hosted by Stouthaus Coffee + Pub. This route was mostly a trail run, it seemed fun and I wanted to give it a try.

We decided to start at 8am, the weather was going to be just perfect. We met at the coffee house with his cousin and were surprised that there were actually people from the race cheering us on.

This was a self-guided and self-paced run, with no street closures or directional signage marking the training route. We downloaded the RunGo app, like the race recommended and it was perfect. It guided us step by step, there were some white markings on the ground that helped for sure. I did get off route once, but the app gave me the notification and I was able to get back on track right away.

The trail was amazing, I absolutely loved it, with lots of trees and beautiful wild flowers that are blooming at the moment, and time went by fast. I couldn’t believe that I was actually doing it.

I know that most of you are missing the big crowds and the sense of community that you get when you race, but let me tell you my experience was incredible. My husband and cousin went ahead of me and I was just comfortable, I was not competing with anyone, I didn’t feel rushed, I took a break when I needed it to stretch my IT band and walked a few times as well.

Not having that pressure made it all extra fun and exciting to accomplish something that I was looking forward to, it was very special and I ran my own race! This has been my favorite race experience by far. The Stateman Cap 10K is until April 30th, you still have time to enjoy any of the routes that are featured.

At the finish line there were some of the volunteers cheering for us and that made it even better. This is my kind of fun, looking forward to next year's race already!