11 Miles w/ a 5K PR

I signed up for a charity 5K (The MaDee Project) with my running buddy Patty. I kind of wanted to race it and try to PR over my first (and only) 5K back in May (I don't count Color Me Rad because it's not timed).

I knew it would be challenging to try to race it to PR since my first 5K was an 8:45 average and I generally run 9-9:30. Patty explained the route was hilly and we may just be better off to build it into a long run. I agreed and we made a plan to run to the 5K from the park, run the 5K and then run back to the park.

Friday night I realized I didn't calculate the entrance to the museum grounds where the 5K was being held, that would add almost 2 more miles, making it 11 miles. I also realized it was going to be a hilly 11 miles. I got scared and texted Patty. She convinced me it'd be OK (because we'd have some rests built into our run).

I didn't "fuel" well the night before either... I had crabcakes with some spicy sauce at a new Mediterranean restaurant. So I texted my other running buddy Kuhlmann (who I went to Baltimore with) and he basically said "you ran 13 miles last weekend, you'll be fine." I'm convinced I could tell him I'm running 20 miles tomorrow and he'd say "you can do it/you'll be fine."

I often let my mental game get in the way. Thank goodness for my running buddies because they always convince me I can do things.

 Saturday morning came and Patty & I started out at the park. We ran 3 miles to Sheetz, bought a drink and headed towards the museum. As soon as we hit the entrance we realized there were no street lights on the mile entrance to the museum... YIKES. I didn't wear my hat light because I knew it'd be daylight after the first 4 miles. Luckily, I had my cell phone in my spi-belt for emergencies (we went sans-music), so I turned on my flashlight app and we kept going. We were definitely lucky, that would not have been a fun mile with absolutely no light.

We had picked our bibs up the day before so we were ready to go for the race. We spent the half hour stretching, hydrating and chatting with other runners/walkers. I hadn't planned to wear my long sleeve pullover (Lululemon Star Runner Pullover in Purple) but I am so glad I did... it was cold!

We started out at the front of the line (wow! never done that before) and took off. We took off pretty fast but reeled it in a bit. We were still going fast but it felt good. There was a girl in pink (part of the "Rack Pack" for breast cancer) that was in front of us the entire first loop (race was 2 loops for 5K). At the start of the second loop I said "I want to pass her!" - probably a bit too loud (sorry!!) - but I meant it in the nicest way possible. She had been keeping me going and was pulling away. I suddenly decided I might not pass her but I wanted to keep her in sight. We sped up trying to stay with her and the run started to hurt.

I found out later she had heard me, but was VERY sweet! When we caught up to her running she told us we were doing great (as was she!) and encouraged us. Patty had more to give so I told her to GO. For the rest of the run I had Patty up ahead "pulling" me on and Awesome-Rack-Pack-Runner right on my heels pushing me forward. I would not have ran that fast if not for them... I yelled at one point "THIS IS NOT MY HAPPY PACE."

It was a hilly 5K with pavement, grass and gravel. I was so HAPPY to see the finish (although it did go by very fast!). And as I crossed the finished the timing guy said "26:17" and I was so excited that I had a new PR!!

I chugged water, ate an apple, relaxed a bit and thanked Rack Pack Runner for being my "rabbit" (her term that I love!). Then we hit the road for the 4 miles home. It was a bit hilly at first and I was so thankful for a long downhill. We kept up a really good pace and ended with a nice average pace for the day! It wasn't the same as a straight 11 mile run but I know I ran my heart out, especially during the 5K!!

Thanks to Patty I achieved a new PR AND had a heck of a long run!

Hot Pink Compression Sleeves in the Background

13.1 Round Two... Oh How I Love Thee

Saturday I ran the Baltimore Half Marathon (my second Half Marathon). It (thankfully) was not nearly as challenging as my first Half Marathon (Virginia Beach RnR).

I was not prepared for how cold it was Saturday morning. I brought a throw away shirt but that's it. Thankfully I was given a pair of old throwaway gloves. Next time I will have a shirt, gloves AND pants that I can wear until right before the race starts.

Pre-Race - I had to ditch the headband in my bag before the race

I went with Kuhlmann (middle), who I run with at home, he ran the full marathon (and killed it). We stayed with his college friend (left) who also ran the half marathon (and did awesome).

Pre-Race

13.1 Miles – 

Miles 0-2 were frustrating because I was constantly dodging people.. but that just comes with the big races I guess (25,000 people running). I dodged people through the rest of the course but the first couple miles were not good. I was in corral 3 based on my estimated 2:15 finish time and for the first quarter mile I was going around a 11/min pace because I couldn't break out of the crowd.

Miles 3-6 were good, I kept reminding myself I do 6 miles almost every day so this was just another run so far. I turned on my music – which I had issues with the entire race. First it was stuck on repeat, and then it wouldn’t skip songs. I didn’t let it get me worked up tho, there was a great crowd of fans and tons of runners. I enjoyed listening to the runners around me talk. Well except for the guy who took the business phone call and yelled at the person about how he was running a half marathon and they shouldn’t be calling him…

Miles 7-9 I ate my gatorade shot blocks around mile 8 and just settled into enjoying the run. I felt relaxed at this point and focused on just getting to mile 10. At this point I realized a) I was drinking a lot less water than I did at VA Beach Half AND b) I was not dumping a cup of water on me at every water station. These things were good signs to me.

Miles 10-11 I kept thinking I was going to hit a wall. Looking back, I know I was just scared because of VA Beach (where I hit the wall hard at Mile 11). I started picking up the pace more and realized I could crush my goal IF I didn’t get injured, get a cramp, etc. I  saw a girl wipe out and eat pavement… that made me even more cautious of watching my feet and where I was stepping.

Miles 12-13.1 I kicked it in high gear and ran faster than I ever do on Mile 12 (around 8min/mile pace) and then I all out sprinted the last .10. I was running past so many people going full speed and I STILL felt good… how this is possible, I have no idea? I had more miles in me when I crossed the finish line at 2:03:10.

Afterthoughts: This race was just one of those days where everything aligns perfectly and I know those days are rare. It pains me to think the next half could be much, much different. I could not have asked for a better race day experience! I can imagine running 10 more races and this one still being my favorite.

Race Loves:

• Fans - there were fans throughout the entire course. In VA Beach we had 6 miles or so with no one around (other than fellow runners). I really enjoyed the fans AND the signs the fan had. From “Call Me Maybe” with a phone number, to “Your Butt Looks Great!” the signs rocked. I actually wished I was carrying a camera to snap pictures of my favorites (knowing I would forget a lot of them!).

• Course – I was a little afraid of a semi-hilly course (even though I train with hills) but I loved it. Probably because there were so many long, smooth downhills!

Things They Can Improve

• Water Stops – they should have either a) had them on both sides of the course in most places OR b) had more tables (so you can pass by the congested first tables and get to the next ones).

• Finish Line – VA Beach nailed this and Baltimore failed. The finish line area was so congested and messy at VA Beach. I ended up having to ask a little kid to give me a medal… it was a big mass crowd all trying to get their medal, a drink and some food. I almost missed the food completely and never got to the beer. VA Beach had a straight line where you just kept walking and people handed you first your medal, then a water, then it just kept going (snacks, wet towels, etc). I missed a lot of stuff in the finishers area because it was such a horrible mess of people. 

Race Details: 

Saturday October 13, 2012

Baltimore Half Marathon

Baltimore, MD

Time: 2:03:10

Hot Runs

I think I had the hottest run of my short running career on Tuesday.

On Monday I met up with a new running buddy and did 8 miles (with some hills!!). It felt hot, sweaty and amazing. Sure I was slow, just under 10:00/mile pace, but I was out there.

Tuesday we met again. The weather was scorching hot (okay, so like 85 & humid is scorching to me) and I mistakenly said 8 miles again sounded great. I will kick myself forever for not finishing that 8 mile run. I stopped at 7. I drank water and felt much better. What I SHOULD have done is stop for a water break at 7 and then finished that last mile. But I was exhausted and dying for water so I called it. It had been one of “those” runs from the beginning. I hurt after a mile in and not my usual ugh I hate running feeling that I normally get until about mile 3. I was winded and tired when we hit mile 2 and praying the hills to magically disappeared.

My new running buddy has been great. He’s a marathoner (Boston, New York, etc, etc.) and he’s fast (when not running with me). And he doesn’t complain (to me) when I run just under 10:00/miles. He also doesn’t run ahead of me. Actually he runs right beside me or behind me and doesn’t make me feel like I’m trailing behind.Yay for an awesome new running buddy/trainer!

Also, my compression sleeves for my legs came and so far I love them. Love, love, love them. I've been wearing them after my runs and they seem to help with shin splints and make my legs feel fresh. Maybe it's in my head, but I love them! I want to buy them in bright pink too!!

Running through it.

I LOVE the girls I run with on the weekends. I cannot say this enough. We are all at different stages in life (mom with young kids, woman no kids, mom with grandkids and me!) and it works great. I love hearing each of their stories when we run and having their encouragement (and expertise).

This morning's run had all odds against me. I came home early from work yesterday because I was sick, took a nap and then couldn't fall asleep until after 1 am this morning. Then I tossed and turned all night morning with horrible back pain until 6am when my alarm went off to get up to run. Not a good night, especially when I wanted to do my longest run ever (10 miles) this morning. That did not happen.

Thankfully due to my awesome running buddies, I did get a good 7 miler in. I got there 20 mins early and did a short warm up lap (1.4 miles) before they got there. I was hoping it would loosen up my back. I stretched some after that lap and it seemed to help. Once we started I felt better, but I honestly would have stopped early if it weren't for the girls. So thankful for the girls because they kept me going. I'm sad I didn't push on for 3 more miles but I knew I shouldn't push my back.

Tomorrow's plan: a lonesome solo run (Sunday morning running buddy is out of town) and a hike with friends!