While searching for the race I wanted to run for my birthday, the heart breaker half was the first to jump out at me. Close to home, but far enough away to feel like I was traveling.
The only problem was that I hadn’t run more than 2-3 miles since December. While I knew I could do it, I didn’t know if I wanted to suffer through the pain of pushing myself in a race that I hadn’t trained for. Lucky for me, this race also had a 10K option. Perfect.
The race started right outside of Liberty High School in Hillsboro, Oregon. I was so thankful the gym was open for everyone to wait in, because it was so unbelievable cold I began to question why I ever signed up for races in the winter. My entire body hurt.
After waiting for what felt like an eternity in the frozen tundra of Antarctica, we finally started the race. My legs were so heavy, and my fingers were numb. I was convinced I was just going to run this 10K with the hopes of not wanting to die. I had no intention to “race.”
This was hands down THE most gorgeous course I have ever run. Rolling hills of farm lands, pigs and cows, and amazing trees welcoming the sun on the horizon. I didn’t stop to take any photos (sadly), but it was sort of like this.
Actual photo from the race I found on IG! This lady was great.
The course was enough to make standing in the cold worth it, and I was quickly reminded of why I decided to run. The joy I get from discovering new areas on foot is indescribable. I found myself comfortably running about a 9:30-9:50 pace and decided I was going to try and beat my previous 10K time. I decided I was going to “race” instead of just run.
I’m growing another human out of my neck, to keep warm in winter.
I beat my previous time by 1 minute and 28 seconds. Every second counts, if you’re a runner you will know what I mean. I was FOUR seconds away from getting UNDER an hour, but was still more than happy with my end time of 1:00:04. I stopped for about 10 seconds at mile 4 to get a drink…those damn 10 seconds..
The race was amazing, but my favorite part was moments after I crossed the finish line. A woman came up to me and thanked me, I had unknowingly paced her the entire time. This was her first 10K, and the excitement just poured out of her. She thanked me over and over for helping her complete this race, and told me my pace was amazing.
We matched..how cute.
I am by no means a fast runner, but to know that my 9:41 pace inspired someone else to push it to the end was something I’ll remember for a while. She made my race complete. Needless to say, I was on a runners high the remainder of that day.
One of the best medals I’ve received!
Q: What’s your ideal scenery for a run? Or bike ride? Definitely this.
Blissfulbritt 
49 thoughts on “Heart Breaker Half…errr…10K”
Alex @ therunwithin
way to kill it girl, especially haven’t not run that kind of mileage in a while. pretty jealous of that weather too – I hope my races end up being the weather where a long sleeve shirt will do and not layers and layers of clothes
Lauren
That’s pretty impressive to hop into a race you haven’t trained for AND get a PR. Maybe that’s nature’s way of saying shorter runs are the way to go!
Alex
Congrats on the PR and the great race!!!! The scenery looks just gorgeous. And that was so neat about the lady you unknowingly paced–i love those little extra stories from races, they make the memories even more epic 🙂
Amanda @ .running with spoons.
Congrats on the great race, lady! And how freakin’ awesome is that story of the woman you helped pace. It’s kind of amazing how we may not even be aware of how our actions help others, eh?
Laura
This was a beautiful course – and congrats on an amazing race! I think I want to find one for my birthday now!
runner1313
Sounds beautiful! Congratulations!
katalysthealth
OMG that place is gorgeous. Seriously, that is my dream town right there. Quite and scenic. No huge buildings or freaking traffic. Or smog. Stupid LA….
Anyway, way to rock it girl! I think its so awesome that you helped pace that woman….even if you hadn’t intended on it!
Ashley @ Married to the Game
Congrats on beating your previous time!
pickyrunner
Woooo congrats on an awesome race! I feel like those unexpected pr’s are the best. I’ve been told before after a race that I helped pace someone unknowingly and it’s an amazing feeling. I’m glad you had such a great race ad that course does look gorgeous!
Britta
Wahoooo! Congrats buddy!! I love the story about you unknowingly pacing that lady – so incredible. I would be on a runners high ALL WEEK! I am sure we do this to so many more people during races than we know and vice versa. Gorgeous scenery. I think the best races are always the ones where the views are amazing because it gets your mind off running and you are able to enjoy it so much more 🙂
Amy @ A Desert Girl
Ahhh I love that you paced her race without even knowing it. How inspiring!! And great job on the PR – in cold conditions and you rocked it!
karla @ finding my fit
i think i’d die if i tried to run over a 5k right now. running is pure torture now ironically.
those medals are kickass & you are beautiful!
i once ran a 10k in 1:00.01.. yeah.. i was bummed.
Brittany
I would have punched someone. So close…
Lauren @ ihadabiglunch
I’m totally with you about the “seeing the world by foot” thing. Whenever I travel I have to run because it’s just the best, most beautiful way to see the world. Congrats on the race that’s an AWESOME pace and the best part is you’re glowing – I can just see how much joy it brought you!
Rach @ This Italian Family
Congrats on your PR! And I love that you paced her race! And that she told you about it. And that you guys matched. 🙂 So great! 🙂
Heather @ HeatherRunsFast.com
Way to get a PR without even trying! B B B Baller! And how cool is that medal? My ideal race scenery is anything new! I love exploring a city through running 🙂
Amy
That is seriously the sweetest story about the woman using you as her pacer. And that she would come up to you and thank you for it — my heart is glowing for you two! It’s a beautiful reminder that there are some really good people out there in this world, and that sometimes we end up being role models for complete strangers. So happy for you!!
P.S. You are my HERO for signing up for a race in the winter with Renaud’s. I can only imagine how painful it was for your fingers and toes at the start… So proud of you for finishing AND setting a new PR!
apartmentwife
oh gosh, this post is so happy – i love the backdrop, that ‘heart race’ sign, and the fact that you broke your record (even without training). i’ve only done one race (a 5k last summer) but you’re making me want to sign up and get back to it!
Jan @ Sprouts n Squats
Well done on the race and ‘racing’ it! Also congrats on the PR!
The photos from the race are absolutely beautiful! Love the one you found of that woman on IG. I love the signs ppl make for cheering during races.
I love that you chose to do a race for your birthday. I think that is a great idea.
Matt @ Runner Savvy
Awesome race! I had a half marathon this weekend 🙂
Hannah
Congrats on the PR! And in the cold. I can’t even. Like not even a little… I went for my first run of the year just this weekend because it was like 65. 60+ degrees is a must or I’ll die. Super impressive, lady!
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets
Congratulations pretty lady. That is awesome news! And not surprising at all, even with the non-running leading up to it. Sometimes I think it’s more about what’s inside (your drive and ironically your heart) than about training.
When I went to Brussels last Spring, we took the slow train to Amsterdam and I sat with my face glued to the window the entire time. The scenery was amazing and very much like you described here: lots of land, farms, quaint little homes with backyard gardens and free range chickens running amok, cows grazing, streams, countryside bridges…it was a beautiful thing and one of my favorite memories. I wish you could have seen it. You would have really appreciated it.
Brittany
Ohhhh my, just this simple description tells me I would have swooned over this train ride!! I would have loved it!! So glad you were able to experience this!
Melissa @ Al Forno Mementos
what a cute name! and way to go for not even training really. ps. you are adorable in your pictures.
P
I’m glad your birthday race was special! I need to get back into racing—-I haven’t raced once since the dawn of 2014! That needs to change ASAP!
Amalia
I loved this!! Such a good update – I’m so excited you had such a good race, and I love the story about that lady. So many people have paced me, I should thank them!
Davida @The Healthy Maven
Awesome job Britt! I’ve decided that all runners should train like you. You’re living proof that overtraining is often a detriment and less is often more!
Way to kill it lady!
kathy @ vodka and soda
awesome job! glad you had a good race. you know how much i love running trails; the change in scenery is really important to me and when you run trails, you never tired of looking at all the nature around you.
GiGi Eats Celebrities
HEART BREAKER YOU’VE GOT THE BEST OF ME… But I just keep on coming back from SESAMEEEEE! OOO IIIII!! Didn’t have to play your games on me, I should have known, right, from, the starrrrtttt you going on and break my hearrtttt!!!
Brittany
Yep..youuu just went there.
GiGi Eats Celebrities
Dude, I’m Mariah. Don’t even pretend you didn’t hear me singing!
Kristina at damntenpounds
Congratulations!! The race I was most unprepared for was the one I PR’d at. Funny how that works, huh? I guess there’s something to be said for taking the pressure off. It looks like a gorgeous course and I love the medal! I’m all about the bling 🙂
Lauren
Damn girl, good stuff!!! Way to PR 🙂 — I don’t run, but if I did, I’d want to be alongside water or a beach!
jessielovestorun
Good for you girl! So proud of both your PR accomplishment, and just getting out there to begin with. My favorite course are ones along the ocean.
jessiebearwhat
Aww that sign is so cute! And same with your shirt (and your face)
Melanie @ Happy Being Healthy
That race looks absolutely beautiful and I love the medal too! I also love your cute jacket. Congrats on your time!!
PJ Sassifras
Pretty awesome story, I love that she thanked you. Great inspiration for both of you! I send all your running posts to a friend of mine who has fallen in love with running herself. You’re an inspiration to her, as well! Keep it up.
My favorite ride (I have horrible knees, running isn’t in the cards for me) so far has been The Bizz Johnson Trail in Susanville, California. I am accumulating a Bucket List rides, though, and Oregon definitely has plenty of appearances on the list so far.
Brittany
I just smiled a big ol’ smile about you sending my posts to your friend!! ❤
PJ Sassifras
BTW – I apologize for belated birthday wishes. 😦 Definitely going to have to dedicate a vegan & gluten free cupcake post to you soon!
Brittany
Aww, you’re too sweet!! Don’t apologize, when I get belated birthday wishes it makes me feel like my birthday just KEPT ON GOING! 😉 Thank you!
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An Unrefined Vegan
You were meant to do the 10k so you could pace a newbie! Sweet!
Christina Does It All
Awww love that you helped out a fellow runner and the pictures are so gorgeous!!
Femme Fitale Fit Club
How have you been Brittany. Long time no read. Totally my fault – got very busy. Glad to see you are still racing. My best view or scenery has been running on the NCR trail in Hunt Valley, MD. It is simply GORGEOUS.
Miss. Zoe
So proud of you! I’m actually planning a 5k Trail Run right now for work! Come run on the east coast!
Luv What You Do
That looks so beautiful! Congrats on an awesome race!
I love biking through Door County Wisconsin but I think I’d love to run and bike through the small towns in Europe. Maybe one day!
PNWRunner
Wahooooo way to go girl! Looks like it was a fun and beautiful run! I’ve always wanted to visit Portland and I hope to make it there before the marathon in Oct. The voodoo donuts are calling my name! Deeeeyummmmm!
Elizabeth
Yay!! You go girl!! Congrats on a super great RACE! and your medal– LOVE!!
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