Burgers & Beer 5K Race Report

What’s the best way to end a Monday?  How about with a 5K race?


To read the rest of this post, come on over to Chicago Now!

Lincolnwood Turkey Trot 5K Race Report

In 2009 and 2010 I ran the Lincolnwood Turkey Trot 10K and loved it. I've set two 10K PRs at this race AND I get the opportunity to indulge in post-race pancakes with my work running group buddies.

This year I was torn between running the 10K and the 5K. I'd already PR'ed at the Frank Lloyd Wright 10K this year but I'd be thwarted at all of my 5K PR attempts since February.

In the end, I decided to make that 5K my bitch. I registered the morning-of, which is one of the things I love about this race. They have all the perks of a big race (including expensive professional photos this year!) but all the atmosphere of a low-key race.

My only concern was my knee. I didn't want to push it too hard and prolong my ITB issue. I mean, I do have a marathon in two weeks.

But I just couldn't pass up running this race and seeing what I could do.

I met up with some of my lunch time running group and we decided to do a warm-up. Well, their version of a warm-up is a little different than mine. They did about a quarter mile and called it a day. Uh, I thought, that's not going to work for me.

So I handed off my jacket to Jason and took off for another mile or so. I didn't have a lot of time, though. The race started at 8:45 and it was already 8:30.

I managed one more mile. It wasn't an encouraging mile. I picked it up towards the end at the 8:30 pace didn't feel so hot. How was I ever going to hold an 8:00 minute or faster pace for the race?

By the time I got to the start line I had to weave my way through people to try and find a good starting spot. Of course, it doesn't really matter since the first half mile or so of this race is always crowded. I spent most of it dodging people.

When my watch beeped at the Mile 1 marker I looked down to see 7:58. Hmmm, I thought. That might have been too fast. But maybe I can see if I can do all three miles in times that start with 7s. That would be a first for me. Why not?

I saw Jason shortly after the mile marker and threw him my arm warmers. Even though I'd been freezing at the start line at this point I almost wished I was wearing a tank top.

The 10K runners split off and I realized how happy I was to be running a 5K. I only had two more miles left and they had 5!

By the way, 3.1 miles feels really short when you've been training for a marathon.

I saw Jason again near the two mile mark but barely even looked over at him. I was really trying to push myself. It worked and I ran mile two in 7:50.

Just one more mile, I thought to myself. You've probably got a PR in the bag if you don't lose it during this last mile. 8:00 minutes. That's all. You can do anything for 8:00 minutes.

At one point I glanced down at my watch and saw my current pace in the 8:30 range. Nope, I thought. Not gonna work. You need to speed up. I'd fallen into the trap of just running and not pushing myself. So I pushed.

With a quarter mile left to go I felt like I was going to puke. A woman in front of me was shouting to her running companion, "Come on! Almost there!" Since he was running next to me I turned to him and said, "Are you gonna let her beat you? Go on!" The fact that I was able to do this tells me I wasn't running hard enough. Good to know.

Still, I rounded the corner to the finish line and pushed a little harder.

Final finish time? 24:32! A 22 second PR and good enough for 5th in my age group (and, yes, there were more than 5 people in my age group).

So the Lincolnwood Turkey Trot keeps its place as a PR race for me. But this year I didn't get my post-race pancakes. I got post-race matzah ball soup instead. And some of Jason's blueberry pancakes. What can I say? I like pancakes.

Lincolnwood Turkey Trot 5K by snmnstrz21 at Garmin Connect - Details

PTOS & FAPTO Innovation 5K Race Report

As I mentioned last week, I signed up last minute for a 5K taking place a few miles from my hotel where I was staying on business just outside of Washington, DC.

For the first time in a long while I was at a race with no friends, no husband, no running group. And, as it turned out, no gear check. But it wasn't really a problem.

This race was sponsored by the Patent and Trademark Office Society and took place in front of their building in Alexandria, Virginia.

After parking my rental car I walked through a beautiful campus of federal buildings and into the lobby of the building. Did you know the Patent and Trademark Office has a museum? It wasn't open, sadly. Still, it was fun to see the inside of a building that I'd never really given much thought to.

The packet pick up was located on the lower lobby level. Everything in the area seems to be built on a hill so even though you go in on one level you can almost always exit on completely different one.

Source

I grabbed my race number and my t-shirt from the tables in the center and took the shirt back to my car. And, of course, pinned the bib on my tank top. The morning was chilly but the sun was shining. I kept my jacket on while I did my stretches and my warm-up jog. I decided to run to the first mile marker on the out-and-back course to get an idea of what I'd be in for. I'd looked at the elevation chart and was a little worried.

That huge hill? A freeway overpass. And, yes, it was a pace killer on the way up.

I was sweating something fierce by the time I got done and was happy to ditch my jacket. With no gear check, though, I was a little worried. So I put my phone back in the car and asked a nice lady at one of the tables if I could leave my jacket and car keys there.

Everyone at this race was really nice. You could tell that most of them work in the building or at least knew each other. There were about 300 people total and most of them were clustered in groups of friends, joking, and laughing. When the PA system wouldn't cooperate and play the National Anthem someone shouted out, "Hey! Why doesn't Jerry sing it??" And a bunch of people laughed. I guess Jerry is a good singer? Or maybe a bad singer? Anyway, someone else stepped up and we were treated to a less-than-perfect version sung by a willing volunteer.

The race was chip timed but I didn't want to start too far in the back lest I get stuck with walkers or less experienced runners. I had some delusional visions of winning my age group or some such thing since it was a small race.

I'll tell you, though, those DC-area runners are FAST. Or at least they go out of the gate fast. But I'd already run up that hill so I knew what to expect. Which means I wasn't too worried when I slowed down on the uphill.

My Garmin beeped exactly at the 1 mile marker. Exciting! 8:16. Hmmm, not as fast as my last 5K. Oh well.

There was a water station before the turn around point but I eschewed water. We saw the race leader go by the in opposite direction minutes ahead of everyone else. Then it was our turn to do the 180-degree turn and head back.

The Garmin beeped after the mile 2 marker which had me slightly concerned. But then it was time to tackle the big hill again which was slightly less steep from this side. Still, it wasn't easy. I didn't even look at my pace.

A slight downhill and then a long, gradual incline up to the turn to the finish. And then another hill! What? Where did this one come from?

I'm not in this photo but you can kind of see that final hill


I did my best to power up the hill and passed the mile 3 marker at the top. Then, suddenly, I was at the finish line.

The clock said 24:50-something and in my either sleep-deprived or oxygen-deprived state I was bummed. 24:50-something? What a poor showing! Especially when I looked down at my Garmin at it said 3.04 miles instead of 3.1. Bummer!

It wasn't until I looked up the race results later that I realized I'd actually run a pretty good race! I wasn't able to stick around for the awards ceremony (had to get back for conference stuff) and they were only doing awards two deep in 10-year age groups (so I was in the 30-39 age group). Turns out my official results are a time of 24:50 which was good enough for third in my age group and tenth woman overall!

Too bad the race was a hair short so I'm not counting it as a 5K PR. Still, that time translates to an average 8 minute mile even with some decent hills.

And too bad I forgot to reset my Garmin before going for another run a few days later so my stats (and map) are all messed up.

Finding this random race to run was a great decision. Sure, I could have slept in on Sunday morning before the conference started. But this way I was able to see somewhere I'd never been, run a small, fun, friendly race, and get in a workout. All wins in my opinion. So, if you've never done it, I highly recommend searching for a fitness event in the area where you'll be traveling. You never know what you'll find!

Park Ridge Charity Classic 5K Race Report

It's been awhile since I ran a 5K race. The last one I attempted back in August was a little bit short of a 5K. And with my marathon a week away and not really training for speed this summer I had no intentions of pulling out a fast race last Saturday.

But, I've been told this is a great race. It's only 30 minutes from home, tons of OPRC members were doing it, and the course is an easy out and back on flat roads. Plus, I need the miles if I want to get a CARA participation award. So, at almost the last minute I signed up for the 5K and figured I'd just run for fun.

We arrived early enough to do packet pick-up, use the REAL bathroom, and launch into our warm-up routine.

Then we did an almost two mile warm-up run to scope out the finish line. I've been told it's a good idea to do your warm-up through the finish line if you can so that you know what to expect toward the end of the race.

Park Ridge Warm Up by snmnstrz21 at Garmin Connect - Details

I tried to pick up my speed a little bit toward the end of my warm up but, really, I still had no intentions of coming close to a PR at this race.

Of course, I always say that and then I end up racing all out. This time, though, when the gun went off I hit "Start" on my Garmin (no timing chips at this race) and settled into what I thought was a comfortable yet slightly aggressive pace. Imagine my surprise when I realized I'd done the first mile in just over 8 minutes.

Imagine my surprise when I hit mile 2 in what seemed like record time. I didn't look at my Garmin but the race clock had me still going at a pretty good clip.

Between mile 2 and mile 3 I caught up with a redheaded woman who would speed up every time I got on her heels. She'd slowly slow down and allow me to catch up again and then she'd speed up. A little game of cat and mouse, I guess. It made me laugh.

We kept this up until the 3 mile mark when I told her to go ahead. I wasn't planning on pushing much harder then I already was. Until, of course, Coach Holly yelled at me to run faster. Redheaded woman still beat me but only because I wasn't in the mood to puke up my peanut butter and bagel breakfast.

Still, when I looked at my watch after exiting the finish chute I was amazed to see that I'd come within 3 seconds of beating my 5K PR that I set back in February.

Official Park Ridge Charity Classic 5K time? 24:57. And it didn't even feel that difficult. Imagine if I didn't have a marathon looming over my head and I could have pushed it just a little bit harder. Still, I ran an awesome 5K, finished with a smile, and got a post-run cinnamon roll and rice krispie treat. What could be better?

Park Ridge Charity Classic 5K by snmnstrz21 at Garmin Connect - Details

River Run for Ryan 5K Race Report

A few weeks ago when Kim and I were planning our weekend trip to Guttenberg she discovered that while we would be visiting there was a local 5K taking place on Saturday morning. After getting our 18 mile run out of the way on Friday we decided to do the 5K on Saturday morning.

When we woke up the sky seemed threatening. Lighting and thunder and rain kept up until just before we needed to leave for the race. Then the rain let up and we were able to run the 2 miles to the race start. Yay for small town races!

However, not only did the rain let up but the sun came out and I swear the temperature rose by 10 degrees! I admit, I was looking forward to another rainy run. But when we arrived at the registration tent I already had sweat pouring off of me. At least it made the volunteer comment that we looked like "serious runners". That made us laugh. I was a little worried, though, because our warm-up 2 mile run felt rougher than I would have liked. My legs basically felt like lead.

Run to the River Run for Ryan by snmnstrz21 at Garmin Connect - Details

I decided to run in my just a running skirt and sports bra. Good decision. It was warm! But not as warm or humid as my last few 5K races. Thank goodness.

Anyway, this race was very low key. The purpose of the race was to raise money for the National MPS Society and to support the son of the race organizer. There were probably less than 150 people running and I think most of them were friends of the family. We started on the track at the town's athletic facility and after we lined up the race organizer gave us a description of the course.

He counted down from 3 and we were off. About 200 meters on the track, a brief bit across the grass, and out onto the streets for the first half of the race. I wanted to really get negative splits this time since I came so close the previous week. When my first mile beeped at 8:21 I thought "Crap. I went out too fast." I'd even warned Kim about going out too fast when we were still together at the start!

But I decided to see how well I could do. We turned off the streets near the halfway point and went up onto the walking path that borders the Mississippi River. There was a lovely breeze blowing in off the water. It would have been even better if it had been blowing in from the side instead of straight into my face, but I was still grateful.

The second mile ticked by at 8:16. Okay, I thought. Now to see if I can pull off an even faster third mile. I decided to try and pass as many people as possible. I picked out people ahead of me and tried to pick them off one by one. I don't think I got passed at all the entire race, but especially not towards the end. Even though I was dodging the 1 Mile Fun Walk participants I was still gaining on people.

There's a girl in pink who had taken off at the beginning. I wanted to pass her so bad. She wasn't in my age group but I still wanted to beat her. When I pulled up alongside her I looked over and said, "Don't worry. I'm not in your age group." And then I pulled ahead.

We had to run down a steep grassy hill and then practically come to a stop in order to squeeze through the gate to get back onto the track. But since I love me some track I was excited to sprint to the finish.

Instead of a race clock they used the clock on the football score board. I was pretty excited to look up and see my time started with a 24! But then I looked down at my Garmin and was disappointed to see the race was only registering as 2.99 miles! Boo!

Also, this race is so low key that they don't have a website and they don't use any kind of timing company. So for my "official" time I'm going by what my Garmin says. Which is 24:33. But I'm not counting it as a PR since the course was over a tenth of a mile short. However, I totally ran negative splits! Goal accomplished!

Then there was my not-so-secret goal of wanting to place in my age group. They did 10 year age groups instead of 5 year ones so I had no idea how well I'd do. Turns out I did well enough for second place!

Kim did really well, too. She came in a bit behind me but got a medal of her own....also second place!

Hooray for matching medals!

This race was such a different experience from so many other races I've run. No mile markers, no water stations, no chips or clocks or prize money. Just a community coming out to support one of their own. And it felt good to be part of that.

River Run for Ryan 5K by snmnstrz21 at Garmin Connect - Details

Just Book It! 5K Race Report

On Saturday Kim's running club put on their first 5K race. The Just Book It! 5K was a fundraiser for the Grayslake library and took place on a path and in the neighborhoods surrounding the library.

It also served as an unofficial blogger meet up! Obviously I already know Kim, and I'd already met Bobbi, but at the race I got to meet Lauren and Marcia as well. So many fun ladies!

Instead of doing a warm-up, we got recruited to assist with directing people to the kid's dash. That was okay by me because I didn't really have a plan for this race. Run for fun, run with friends, just see what I had. Any of those were okay with me.

We lined up at the start line a little before 8:00 AM and I decided I'd just run my best to see where I was in terms of 5K fitness. Bobbi and Lauren both wanted to come in under 30 minutes for the first time so Kim decided to be their pacer. Marcia, like me, just wanted to see what she could pull out.

My goal was to run negative splits. I'm not very good at this at the 5K distance. But when my Garmin beeped at mile one and I saw 8:45 I figured I had it with no sweat. Well, okay, there was sweat. A lot of it, actually. It was humid! But thankfully overcast.

My right shoe came untied during mile 2. A first for me. I stopped to tie it at the corner where Kim's husband was course-marshaling. Then I practically sprinted trying to make up for the lost time. Consider my second mile was 8:24 I think I may have sprinted a little too much.

There were lots of water stops on the course. Many more than I would have expected for a 5K. That was fine by me. During the third mile I stopped at one, grabbed a cup, swished the water around in my mouth and then poured the rest of it down my back. It sort of helped. I was hot. My legs were tired. My brain tried to trick me into slowing down. And I sort of did. Mile three beeped at 8:25. So close!!

The finish was great in that you could see the finish line from quite a good distance away and there was no uphill to get to it. I could see Marcia up ahead of me. I tried to pick it up and my pace for the last .1 sure reflects that.

I crossed the finish line at 26:33. I guzzled water and then began walking back along the side towards the incoming runners. When I saw Bobbi and Kim I glanced at the clock and knew they were going to smash her sub-30 goal. I ran alongside cheering and yelling encouragement. Then it was time to run Lauren in. Same drill. She says it helped her also go sub-30. Yay! New PRs for both of them!

Marcia also had a great race, coming in second in her age group. So of course we stuck around for awards.

My time was not spectacular even though I came in 5th out of 26 in my age group. I just do not do well in the humidity, I guess. I ran this same 5K time back at the end of April and I wasn't even trying. I'm really hoping that I get a nice, cool, humidity-free day for my next 5K.

But, really, a great clock-time is not why I ran this race in the first place. I ran it to support my friend Kim and her club and I ran it to have a great social-time. And since I accomplished both of those I have to say it was a success.

Just Book It! 5K by snmnstrz21 at Garmin Connect - Details

Roselle Run for the Roses 5K Race Report

I really wanted this to be a good 5K race. Really, I did. I even tried my strategy of just thinking of it as a fun run in the hopes that it would take some of the pressure off. I do better when I don't think about it as much. I decided I'd do my best to keep up with my former pace bunny Maribeth and hopefully not go out too fast.

In the end, though, I think my strategy backfired. Maribeth had an awesome race. I did not. She pulled away early and I couldn't keep up. I went out too fast and tanked during the third mile. I even contemplated walking! In a 5K! I can run longer distances than that without walking. What was I thinking?

During my warm-up I felt pretty good. Hot, though, so I ended up running in just my sports bra. First time I've ever run a race that way. Felt nice, although I could have done without the guy hitting on me afterward.

The first mile was okay but definitely too fast. The second mile I started strong but couldn't hang on. The third mile was just a struggle. Seems to be my M.O. for 5Ks. Just before the turn to the finish Coach Holly yelled, "Come on, Erin! Finish strong! You're a sprinter!" and I remembered that, yeah, I do like to sprint. So I sprinted to the finish. Too little too late, though.

My final time? 26:09. I'd been hoping for something like 24:50 so this was way off.

What happened? I wish I knew. Was it because I rode my bike 2 miles to our carpool meeting spot before the race? Was it because I've been fighting off this stupid cold? Was it that I'm just not used to the warm weather yet? Or maybe I'm just raced out. Feeling flat from trying to run hard too often.

My next two race events are totally new experiences for me (a relay and a duathlon) so I have no prior times or races to compare them to. I think that will be nice.

But don't get me wrong; I didn't have a bad time overall at the Roselle 5K. I didn't even cry about my finishing time. I just shrugged my shoulders and congratulated my teammates who had great races. I cheered for our unofficial club mascot (the toddler in the photo above) who "toddled" a 600 meter race, and I clapped for club members who won awards. And then I got my post-race carbs. Mmmm, waffles.

Roselle Run for the Roses 5K by snmnstrz21 at Garmin Connect - Details

Illinois 5K & Half Marathon Race Reports

So, if you hadn't figured it out, Kim and I ran two races this past weekend so we could get our "I-Challenge" medals. The above photo is from Friday night's 5K race. Which we tried to take easy, I swear. As Kim said, there aren't many times when you tell yourself to slow down during a 5K.

Anyway, we ran easy (for a 5K race, anyway) and enjoyed our finish in the football stadium.

Then it was back to my parents' house to make dinner and get ready for the goal race in the morning. Kim was sweet enough to print out a pace band and take charge of getting me to the finish line in under 2 hours.

The weather was a huge question mark as we did our final race prep. Highs were predicted to be in the 70s. And I knew that the 30+ mile an hour wind gusts that were supposed to show up could be brutal around the halfway point of the course.

We wore our matching blue tank tops and I decided to forgo wearing my fuel belt. The last time I tried that in a half marathon I totally bonked. But this time I thought I'd chance it. Still, I gave it to Jason so that he could hand it to me when I saw him on the course.

Kim and I ran a warm-up mile. My knee felt fine. My hip flexor was feeling okay, too. A little tight but not painful. And the weather seemed to be holding out. Overcast and low 50s at the start. And not too breezy.

The first few miles went by quickly although they were a bit crowded. Kim kept telling me to slow down a bit. We hung out behind the 2:00 pacer until about mile 2.5 or so. I was just so excited to be running through my hometown. The only downside is that you know just how far it is before the next turn on the course!

We ran through the campus where I went to graduate school, we ran past my former workplace, and when we ran past the strip club I asked the crowd of runners around us if anyone wanted to stop for a detour. No takers.

Shortly after passing the "seedy" part of town

We passed Jason and Kim's husband, Steven, near mile 4 or so. Then it was through some residental areas before turning into my parents' neighborhood. I'd been so excited for this part since I found out the course goes within yards of my parents' front door.

The view from near the front of my parents' house

As we got closer and closer I was so excited to see my parents. "I can see my house from here!" I shouted.

Then we rounded the corner and I saw them standing behind a barricade holding "the sign" and shouting. My mom wanted to know if we were cold. I shook my head, pumped my fist in the air and yelled, "THIS IS AWESOME!"

The red arrow on the left is pointing to my step-dad.

The course goes up a long incline from that corner and even though I've run it plenty of times before, I'd never run it after running 6+ miles. It was rough. I distracted myself by eating my Shot Bloks and I was thankful for the water station at the top where I slowed down to drink some water. I'd been worried that the water stations would be too far apart but they were perfectly spaced.

When my Garmin beeped at the next mile marker I said "What mile is this? Six?"

"Seven," Kim said. Oh, yeah. Duh. I knew my parents were between mile 6 and 7. I guess that was just evidence of how non-functional my brain was at that point. However, my legs felt great and I was still running with a huge smile on my face.

We ran through Meadowbrook Park and past all the sculptures and statues. Up and down hills and over wooden bridges. I started to get a little whiny around mile 9. "My butt hurts!" I exclaimed. But I knew I had a spectator waiting for me after the park and Kim kept telling me we were right on pace.

"Do I want to know what finish time you put on that pace band?" I asked. I knew it was sub-2 but I didn't know exactly what it was.

"Do you want me to tell you?" Kim replied.

"Actually, no. Don't. I'll just get psyched out if I know."

We left the park and I started scanning for my friend who said she'd be there cheering. I saw her and screamed her name! A quick high five and I was gone.

My friend's cheering support crew

Then we had a surprise husband sighting as Jason offered me my fuel belt shortly before mile 11. I waved him off and smiled to let him know I was doing fine.

Kim and I took a short walk break though the next water station because we were both starting to flag. Another surprise sighting of my parents at mile 11 gave me a much needed energy boost but that mile felt incredibly long. I distracted myself by looking at the spectators' signs. "Gas is $4.30. Keep running. It's cheaper." read one. "You're doing Moovelous" said another held by a woman dressed in a cow suit.

Photo from The News-Gazette/John Dixon

I don't remember much of mile 12. I do remember, however, that as we approached the stadium and knew I was going to finish in under 2 hours I had to remind myself to breathe. We surprised Jason and Steven as we rounded the third-to-last corner and Jason sprinted ahead to get one last photo of us.

I think it's appropriate that Kim is looking at her watch in this photo as that's how she spent most of the race.

I heard Mica cheer for us as we made our final descent into the football stadium. "I don't want to sprint to the finish," I said to Kim. But we still clasped hands and I screamed as we crossed the finish line.

Then we collapsed into a hug. I did it. I really did it. I ran a half marathon in under 2 hours. 1:57:33 officially. Turns out Kim had put 1:57:59 on the pace band. I'm so thankful for Kim, for everyone in the OPRC who believed in me, and everyone who came out to cheer.

And the next morning you know what photo was on the front of the local paper?

Photo from The News-Gazette

Can you see me in the lower left hand corner? Yep, the race photo with me in it made the front of the paper! I know, I'm just that awesome. Too bad the photographer cropped Kim out of the photo!

Regardless, it was an amazing weekend. I ran with my best friend, I enjoyed my hometown, and I made my sub-2:00 goal. Now, don't mind me, I'm going to go bask in it for awhile longer.

Illinois 5K by snmnstrz21 at Garmin Connect - Details

Illinois Half Marathon by snmnstrz21 at Garmin Connect - Details

Race That's Good for Life 5K Race Report

These are my ladies. These are some of the ones in the running club who make me smile, who make me laugh, who make me strive to be the best runner I can be. They're some of the ones who encourage me and who tell me when I'm being too hard on myself. They're some of the ones that make running and racing with our club fun even when I don't run a perfect race.




Really, my main goal for this race was to run even splits. Preferably 8:00 minute miles. I didn't want to go out too fast and struggle at the end like I usually do during a 5K.





Note our new club tops. They have the logo on the back between the shoulder blades instead of on the front.

We did a 2.1 mile warm-up just to get the blood flowing. The temperature was much warmer than predicted and the rain they forecasted was nowhere to be found. I totally could have worn shorts and, as you can see, I ended up ditching my arm warmers before the race even started. I was a little worried, though, because the warm-up felt rough and when I tried to speed up it felt even rougher.

I am NOT a morning person. But I try.

When the gun went off I tried not to sprint out of the gate. I tried to find my happy 8:00 minute pace but it was eluding me. I managed to tough it out and finish the first mile in 8:03. Okay, pretty close. Not as easy as I would have liked, though.

The second mile went by in a blur as I struggled to hold onto my pace. When my Garmin beeped and said another 8:03 I thought "Yes!"

But I couldn't keep it there. I felt myself fading and when I glanced at my watch I saw paces between 8:15 and 8:30. I knew I had to pick it up. I swear I tried, but I just couldn't do it. It didn't help that on the straightaway to the finish the wind was blowing right into our faces and for the last quarter mile I felt like I was going to vomit.



I wasn't planning on sprinting to the finish. I wanted to just run steady. But when I saw the clock close in on 24:50 I wanted so badly to at least tie my 5K PR from February. So I tried to remember "fast feet" and picked up the pace.



I crossed what I thought was the finish line and hit "Stop" on my watch only to hear Helen yell, "NO! Keep running!" Turns out I'd crossed the preliminary mat designed to record our names, not the finish line mat designed to record our times. I hit "Start" and punched out the last few feet. Did I manage another PR?

Sadly, it was not to be. I finished in 25:01. Seven seconds slower than my PR. And while my first two miles were 8:03 even, my third was 8:12. So close but yet so far. When Jason found me panting at the finish line I'm not ashamed to admit I shed some tears into his coat. But then Coach Holly found me and told me I was allowed to be bummed for one hour and then I had to focus on the positives.

And there were some positives:

1. I didn't go out too fast.
2. I ran the first two miles at a dead even split meaning I have some ability to pace myself.
3. I set a personal course record by 22 seconds(last year's time was 25:23).
4. I learned that I need to be more disciplined and consistent in my running if I want to increase my endurance.

Some races leave you feeling exhilarated. Some leave you with lessons learned. This one was one of the latter. However, I also left with a few other things:


All female 5K finishers get a rose. I also won a free 1-hour massage and a tube of BioFreeze in the Volunteer Raffle

Official time: 25:01.8
Official average pace: 8:04
Overall place: 109/456
Age Group place: 20/76

Race That's Good For Life by snmnstrz21 at Garmin Connect - Details

Frosty Footrace 5K Race Report

I think the pictures tell the story of this year's Frosty Footrace 5K quite well. Big thanks to both Kim's and my husbands for playing the role of the paparazzi.

Finishing our warm up

Just before the start

Struggling hard just past the mile 2 marker

This hill SUCKS!!!!

Oh my god, the clock says 24 something!

I did it!

Click the photo to see larger

We finished!!

And look what I get!

First (Kim) and Third (me) in our age groups

My bronze medal

My splits were awful and I really struggled during the third mile (when the hills start) but Kim told me over and over again that I had this race. That I was strong. That I was capable. I'm so thankful for her encouragement. I'm also not ashamed to say that I grunted with every step during the sprint to the finish line. Those things got me my new 5K PR of 24:54 and third place in my age group.

I have several other 5Ks lined up for the year and I'm while I'm pretty sure my times will just keep getting better, I'm also pretty sure that this will be the only medal I get. Which is why I love the Frosty Footrace. Running a race with my best friend and I have a chance to win a medal? What more could I ask for?

Untitled by snmnstrz21 at Garmin Connect - Details