Florida 10k

So where did I leave off?!

Ah yes, a 10k in Florida in February 2015.

Two days before the 10k, my boyfriend proposed!!  So I ran the race with a sparkly diamond on my left hand.

So the race...when we showed up, it was a little chilly for Florida since the sun was behind the clouds.  We arrived really early, got our packets, drank a ton of water, and generally just talked to people.  I think we did a quick warm up.  By the time we lined up, the sun was up, and it was really warm already!  It wasn't a huge race, so the corral was easy to navigate and soon we were off.  My boyfriend fiancé went to the very front of the pack, and I stayed behind everyone who looked fast.

This was never going to be a PR, plus we had stayed up the night before drinking wine and talking, so neither of us were well rested or ready to run.  The first mile was nicely downhill.  Unfortunately it was an out and back course so we had to run up the hill at the very end.  Mile two was shaded and we crossed a little wooden bridge.  Mile three and four were very open, and man it was hot.  I really started to slow down by that point.  I saw my fiancé around this point and he was 3rd overall male.  Mile 5 was back through the shade, and mile 6 was up the hill to the finish. There was no crowd support along the course, but at the end there was quite a few people and it was awesome.  Lots of supportive cheering.

I ended up 2nd in my age group so that was fun.  My fiancé hurt his calf towards the end of the race, so he finished 6th overall, and was hobbling around after.

52:40.  Not a PR, but a good effort and fun race.  Crossed off Florida!!

Wisconsin 10k

So this has been awhile coming!

I've had better ideas than running a race, in Wisconsin, at the start of winter (November!).  I arrived at the race with just a few minutes to grab my packet, walk back to my car to dump my outerwear, and then walk to the start line.  The first mile or so, we headed straight north, right into an ice cold wind.  Eventually we veered a bit inland, so we had some wind block, although not much.  We ran right along Lake Michigan, which was beautiful, but I hate that lake wind!

By the turn-around point at the 5k, I was getting a little tired from the wind.   I was trying to maintain a good pace (8:10-8:25), but the wind resistance was making me struggle.  The turnaround should have felt awesome, but I kept thinking I'm only halfway!  Around mile 4, I kept trying to tell myself I was more than halfway, the wind was at my back, and I needed to push.  I didn't have a set goal, but thought physically 52:00 was a realistic goal.  The last couple of miles were hard; I got passed by a lot of males, but no females.  The finish line wasn't visible from far off; the last half mile or so felt awful, but I went around a curve and I could see it!

Final time:  50:09, which is a new PR!!!

One of my tentative goals of 2014 was to break 50 minutes in the 10k.  I didn't know I was so close in this race!  My Garmin Forerunner 10 seems to have a hard time tracking accurate distances, so I only clocked 5.9 miles, even though the course was USATF certified and everyone else clocked 6.2 miles.  I'm back to running with my Nike watch now, which always seems to be more accurate.

Virginia 5k

Last year my Lovey and I signed up for a Thanksgiving Day race on a whim.  Waking up and racing on a holiday, in the cold, was a bit challenging, but we ended up loving the feeling of starting off a glutinous holiday with some endorphins.  Plus, when I met a plethora of his relatives later that day, many of whom are runners, are married to runners, or have track stars for kids, it gave me an automatic ice breaker to mention the race that we have run a few hours before and my shiny new 5K PR that stood for 10 months. 

This year we decided to do the same thing, except we were going to be in Virginia this year.  That counted as a state for me, so sign me up!  Same feeling of drudgery in the morning; tired, slow to wake, a bit late for the race, and sore legs from driving in the day before.  Unfortunately this time, that blah feeling didn't ever really exit stage right so I ran a pretty mediocre race.  Hills + cold = 25:26.  We ran a little more than a mile up a straight road, then made a right turn into a neighborhood where we winded around and curves and up and down hills.  Around 2.5 miles, we exited the neighborhood in a different spot than where we went in, and ran back down the same road where we started.  A cute little loop to be sure, with lots of crowd support.  It takes a special person to stand outside your house, in the cold, on a holiday, to cheer people on.  Go Virginians!

There wasn't much of an after party, although I did get handed a race beanie which I love.  Within a few minutes of the race being over, I became really chilly.  We didn't stay long after that, Lovey tried to find some friends but forgot his phone, so it wasn't worth standing around anymore.  I wasn't even that disappointed in my time.  Some days I just don't have the mental strength to run a balls to the wall, run but don't die feeling associated with 5k's. So I used it more of a hard training run and embraced the hills since I don't normally run on them.

Then we started the glutinous part of the day and all was right with the world:)

Charleston 10K

Oh, Charleston.  My first time in Charleston, SC was worth the wait.

We (Lovey & I) spent 4 days in Charleston and accomplished (in no particular order); Boone Hall, Isle of Palms, the USS Yorktown, walked laps around downtown Charleston, ate copious amounts of delicious seafood, and oh, ya, ran a 10k.

One of the best parts of destination racing is experiencing a totally new course, not just the locale, but also the feeling of hitting different ground under my feet, sucking different air into my lungs, experiencing different sensations, textures, feelings.  Running Charleston was so perfectly different.  The challenge is in embracing that difference.

The race course ran around a plantation.  When we signed up, race information was sparse, as it was a small race geared towards locals. When I heard (saw) "plantation," I thought "fun! scenic! Southern!"  I did not think "trail race!"

My bad.

So the race: the plantation was a hard to find spot, a right turn off the main road onto a grassy path cutting through trees so thick it immediately become dark.  Parking was easy, we were directed onto the LAWN by a very young race volunteer about 20 yards from the start line.  We stretched and jogged around in the company of gentle rain, giant trees with hanging Spanish moss and pristine white egrets watching us.

Eventually that time came; RACE TIME.  The race start line was in the midst of a grassy knoll in an otherwise forested area.  The clues were starting to come together at this point.  A muddy, rocky, somewhat grassy-ish trail was the only way out.  Oh, that, that's the course!

And then we were off, the 5kers and 10kers together.  My goals, which had been to race smart and run hard, quickly morphed into 'don't fall or die, and please finish.'  I didn't see Lovey after the first few yards; he disappeared in the blur with the other fasties and I didn't see him again till the near end.  The group stratified immediately, the fasties, the middles (me), and the slowies.  After getting a feel for the group, I passed quite a few, and settled into the front of the second pack behind a group of 3-4 guys.  Once the settling into position happened, I really started focusing on the run.  Luckily it had stopped raining, but when grass gets wet, it gets slippery.  The parts that weren't grass had turned very muddy, so most of mile 1 (really most of the course) was dodging around giant puddles or braving it and running right through them.  I'm not very mud puddle brave.  I hit mile 1 in 8:44.

With that came the realizations that 1. I would not PR, (ha!), 2. my legs were working really hard, 3. I was already kind of ready for this to be over.   Mile 2 (9:11) was spent mostly in my head.  Trying to lose the negativity, trying to figure out how to stay upright, trying to stay positive and focused on such unfamiliar terrain. I was using my arms for stability, not really propulsion, so my legs were working a bit harder. 

But, wait, isn't that the WHOLE POINT of  destination running?  To experience something different?  If I wanted a flat, fast 10k, I could have stayed home.  Mile 2 was insanely long, but really just the right distance to talk myself into letting go of race expectations and enjoy something I never could have done at home.  Mile 3 (8:58) was about learning to embrace the difference.  Most of it was running over knobby roots that protruded out of the ground every 12 inches..  How do you run over roots that are at every foot??  Whatever, work the stabilization muscles and get through it.  It is a different experience racing while looking at the ground non-stop. 

The course was two loops.  At the split, the guys I was following turned left for the 5k finish, I alone turned right to complete another loop.  At mile 3.5 I turned around because I was alone. It was eerie.  In the far distance (Luckily this stretch of the course ran along power lines, so it was pretty straight until we turned off and went back into the trees) I could see two runners behind me.  By mile 4, I turned around again at the were right there.  They passed me with a "hello, how are you?"  Even while racing Southerners exchange pleasantries.  Running in the South is like running in the bathroom right after someone has taken a hot shower.  Holy humidity.  

By mile 5 I noticed a hip pain/upper quad muscle pain that wasn't allowing my leg to fully extend backwards.  After some post-race foam rolling (yes, I brought it with me), and a Lovey massage, it was fine and hasn't bothered me since.  Mile 5 became the mile of self-motivating; ignore the pain, ignore the heat, ignore the feeling that I can't catch the people who passed me, gulp water at every water stop, and JUST MOVE.

At mile 6, Lovey appeared, cheered me through the turn, then ran over to the finish to cheer me down the long stretch to the finish line.  That .2 is brutal every time I run a 10k.

4th overall female; 1st in my age group, 57:00.

Not too shabby for my first all trail, trail race.

Lovey finished 3rd overall, 1st in his age group.  We both received stone plaques (so cool!) and a gift certificate to a local running store.

Trail running is a beast.  I admire people who tackle races like this regularly.  I enjoyed the challenge, but I don't know if its something I'd really get into.  I would love to trail run to train regularly.

South Carolina: DONE!

Nebraska 10K

Since I'm documenting races, I also want to document where I am in life at that specific time.  Running and "regular" life are so intertwined for me, they are hard to differentiate and impossible to separate.

Since my last destination race in Indiana in April, I finished graduate school and am now the proud owner of shiny new Masters Degree.  Running wise, I have altered my form and have (mostly successfully) stopped being a chronic heal striker and am now a mid-to forefront striker.  The one lingering problem is I'm still having IT band problems mixed with PFPS which has been plaguing me for awhile.  I'm working through that, but its taking time.

The race:

I ran a 10k in a small Nebraskan town not far from Omaha. Nebraska was not my real destination; I stopped here on my way to Denver.  Stayed the night in Omaha, raced the next morning, and then continued on my way.  A note of advice:  racing and then getting into a car for the next 8 hours is never a good idea.

This race was never going to be a PR.  I've been battling the aforementioned knee problems which ended plans to run a half marathon at the beginning of June that I trained for since mid-January.  This race morphed into getting 6.2 miles in since I haven't run a "long run" since mid-May, having fun, and seeing a new place in the best way possible: running!

Despite being advertised as a flat 10K, it was NOT.  For me, flat literally means a pancake.  Rolling hills is not flat!  The race started and ended in a minor league baseball stadium.  That was the only flat part of the course.  Mile 1, once we left the stadium, was a small downhill which turned a corner to a giant, lengthy uphill.  We then went back down hill, hit an aid station, and ran up 2 more smaller inclines.  That was a 5k, so we did the whole loop all over again. I went out strong, hitting mile 1 in 8 minutes flat, ran the hilly 2nd and 3rd miles in around 8:30, and then my right knee crapped out on me. I finished in 57:19, a long way off from my 10K PR, cursing my knee, and a bit frustrated.  Even though I knew this wasn't really going to be a "race,"  I guess I held out hope that I would kill the hills and run close to my PR (which was in San Diego on an almost flat course at the height of my training peak last fall).  Ha, clearly reality didn't meet my fantasy!!

And that's okay.  I did what I came to do, grabbed some yummy watermelon at the end (great post-race snack!) and jumped in my car for the lengthy drive.  They also had corn, because, you know, its Nebraska.

This was my first 10k that was 2 loops of a 5k course, not a large loop.  I don't really care for that format, especially on a not-knee friendly course.  The first time around I didn't know what I getting into, the second time around I did!!

The one awesome thing about the course was the organization.  For a first year race, everything was perfect.  Race day packet pick-up was a breeze, parking was plentiful, everything started on time.  There was also a kids fun mile, which I watched, and totally loved.  The other competitive race was a 3k in addition to the 10k I ran.  There were cyclists for the lead runners for both genders of both races.  The aid stations were great, the race had lots of volunteers, and the course was well marked.  If I lived in the area, I would do it again ( but run more hills in preparation!).

Next up:  South Carolina!

Colorado 5k

When I first started running FOUR years ago, racing was a completely foreign concept to me.  Slowly, I have learned that not every race needs to be a balls-to-the-wall effort.  Sometimes, races can just be about running the moment, in a beautiful place, enjoying those running around you.

Colorado was that race for me.

The best part?  My younger sister ran it with me.  And won.

Colorado has one thing that makes my inner runner quake in fear.  Altitude.  I live at about 123 feet above sea level.  I raced at 5,000 feet after only being there 3 days.  That's a big change.  I ran sans watch or phone.  This race wasn't going to be about time.

The race course was around a lake at a state park, surrounded by the gorgeous Rocky Mountains.  Luckily, it was flat, but it was also a trail race, which I've never done it before.  Throwing all caution and expectations to the wind, I set out next to my little sister, determined to have a good time.  The race was really small, the smallest I have ever run.  More like a large family event, but since we have hiked this area extensively in trips past, it seemed like the perfect place to race. The race was an out and back, and we ran the first 1.5 miles together.  At the turn around, we were 1 and 2 for females.  I could already feel that 5k burn in my legs plus that awful, there's no oxygen in the air burn.  At the turn around, my sister slowly pushed the pace and I couldn't keep up.  I trailed slowly behind her until about mile 2.75, where she really stepped it up.  We passed one male in the back half.   Despite her living at 7500 feet and being completely used to the altitude, she really killed it.

26:22 for me.  8:30 pace.  For altitude and trail running, I'm pleased with it, despite it being a ways off from my PR.

This race exemplified the relaxation I strove to feel during the weekend.  I am currently finishing my last quarter of graduate school and flew to Colorado for a weekend break from school and work.  I came back into town feeling refreshed and rejuvenated and ready to tackle the remainder of the quarter.

At the end of the race, some bald eagles were spotted flying around the finish line, so some of the race photographers actually stopped taking pictures of the runners and started taking pictures of the eagles!  My sis and I went for a walk around a portion of the lake, and she pointed out some other cool birds.  We stayed around for the awards ceremony where we both were given gift cards.  She also won a sweatshirt in the raffle.  The third place female runner kept saying her goal was to catch us, but she couldn't do it.  She seemed so frustrated by that!  I have never been told I've been a rabbit before, but I guess I was one to her!

This was my first, but hopefully not my last Colorado race!!

Indiana 15K

Indianapolis was my first 15k, a distance I actually really like and hope to run again soon.

I know I've come far with my running when I not only register for and race 9.3 miles, but I actually like it!

Indiana came at a good time for half marathon training, so it was a fun race in itself, but also a good barometer of where I am at for June.

So let's see,

My first time in Indianapolis was for the race and I have to admit, I was rather impressed.  It was smaller than I imagined, but very clean with a fun little downtown area.  Like most of the country this spring, it was really windy, but luckily the wind turned to a nice breeze for the race.

The 15k started at the NCAA Hall of Champions.  The Boyfriend and I cruised through the museum at the start since it was a place to stay warm.  Indy was a little chillier than I had thought it would be, but I guess being April, the weather could have swung either way.  The race started right on time, a definite benefit of running a no-frills race.  Packet pick-up was literally just the bib; no other swag.  I appreciate the simplicity of not being handed a bag of stuff that is going to end up in the trash.

The race started right at 8am.  I lined up about mid-pack, while The Boyfriend went to front with the fasties.  My legs felt good and ready to run and my knees were braced to (hopefully) prevent any PFPS recurrences.  I started out too fast, most likely from an unfamiliarity with running longer distances and from just general excitement.  I hit the .5 mile mark at 4 minutes, even though I was trying to maintain a 8:50-9:00 pace (which is hopefully what I'll be running the half marathon in).  Way too fast!  I tried to slow down, but hit the mile at 8:15.  Since Indianapolis is completely unknown to me, I really had no idea where I was running, even after looking at the course map.  Not knowing, so far, works well for me.

Indy is slightly hilly, but nothing major.  Unfortunately, by mile 3, both my knees were starting to hurt. I told myself to make it to mile 5 and then decide how to handle the remaining 4.3 miles.  I was still holding a good pace and didn't want to lose that.  The breeze had picked up a bit and I was getting a bit warm.  I took my gloves off, and tucked them into the waistband of my running tights, but neither made it across the finish line with me:(

After the 5 mile mark, I told myself to push through to the 10k.  Despite my incessant knee pain, the rest of me felt great.  My legs weren't tired at all, despite the soft hills and the too aggressive start.  At the 10k, I told myself to just push through to the end.  Despite the last two very painful miles that slowed me down, I finished under my time goal at 1:22:22.

Thank you Indy for a great race!