Partners for Life Police Appreciation Run 10K, St. Petersburg, Florida, May 5, 2013: race recap

For some reason, I signed up for a 10K-5K challenge. One of those things that sounded like a good idea at the time …

The 10K started at 6:59 a.m. It was early, but I was still worried about the possibility of heat and humidity. Thankfully, a cool front came through the area, and it was actually chilly at the start. Yes, chilly in May in Florida. (And yes, 67 is chilly.) Not sure how that happened, but I’ll take it. 

It was nice to know so many people running this race. And, it was great to be able to run with my running buddy, Lori, because, boy, did I need her. 

This race felt uncomfortable from start to finish. I just never felt in the groove. Each step took effort.

And, having to run a 5K after it was always in the back of my mind.

And, having to run on my running nemesis in both races was bothering me, too. 

We hit the pesky pier within the first mile, and it really wasn’t that bad. Granted, nothing was great in this race, but as far as the pier goes, it could have been worse. It was a little windy, but not terrible. 

Mile 1: 11:09
Mile 2: 11:51 (oops, probably started too fast)

After getting off the pier, we noticed a 3-mile marker sign that was backward, and we definitely weren't at mile 3. We figured we must turn around and hit 3 miles on the way back at that point. Well, we kept checking our watches and waiting for our turnaround, but realized that wasn’t going to happen. We kept running and hit 3 miles at a completely different spot. 

It was a little confusing, but not much makes sense to me while I’m running. My mind does not function. I guess all energy is used to run (especially this race).

The course had pretty fantastic views of downtown St. Petersburg and the bay throughout the course. As much as I complain about the pier, it really is a pretty beautiful place to run.

We stopped at each water stop and walked through to drink, but made sure to pick a spot to start running quickly after each stop. Thank goodness Lori enforced this. The way this race was feeling for me, I could have walked for miles instead of a minute.

Mile 3: 11:29
Mile 4: 11:21

Before the race, we talked about what we needed to do to get a personal record (PR). Lori needed under 1:13:16, and I needed under 1:10:37. I was really hoping we could get Lori’s PR; I didn’t want to hold her back. Thankfully, I kept up with her even though it never felt good.

We both started to tire around mile 5. It was actually pretty hot in the sun (but chilly in the shade), and we both needed a break. So, we walked for a bit, but made sure to point out a landmark to begin running again. This was the best walk break ever. I felt rejuvenated after this break, and I knew I had enough in me to finish strong.

Mile 5: 10:56
Mile 6: 10:52

We ran hard the last mile, and as we made the turn into the park toward the finish with about 0.2 miles to go, Lori said we had under 1:10. So, we gunned it. 

Thanks to Lori's husband, Chris, for the photo
(and for being an awesome spectator).

And, we did. Our official gun time: 1:09:54 (the chip time should be lower, but I don't see it on the official scoring site; my watch had 1:09:16). PRs all the way around! Yay! 

 

I was just not feeling it this day, and I’m actually pretty shocked that I pulled out a PR. But, it really doesn’t have much to do with me; it’s all Lori. Thanks, running buddy!

Oh, and that backward mile marker? We found out after the race that the course leader took a wrong turn at the start. I would have never known (I’m a terrible map reader, so even though I saw the course, I had no idea we went the wrong way); we ended up with a 6.2-mile course, so it seemed to work out fine.

We finished around 8:10 a.m. So, I had 20 minutes to recover and get ready for the 5K, which you can read about tomorrow.

Have you ever run a PR in a race that you just weren't feeling? Do you have a PR that you owe someone else the credit for? I sure do!

Carnival Classic Half Marathon, Long Beach, Mississippi, Jan. 26, 2013: race recap

This race was completely last minute. On a running high from the race with the big bridges, I happily agreed to travel to Mississippi (Long Beach in da house) for a half marathon the next weekend.

It wasn't all about the race. My boyfriend and I usually take a trip at the end of the year. Instead, our house was packed with guests from Dec. 20 until the first week of January. We really needed a trip after that (just kidding, family ... kind of). 

So, after too long of a drive, we arrived in Mississippi on Thursday. I know so many people love road trips. I do not. I love flying. If the drive is anything more than two hours, I want a plane. But, the drive allowed us to take this crazy girl.

She's worth it ... I guess.

The race started at 8 a.m. on Saturday. That seemed late to me. I'm used to 7 a.m. starts. But, I actually got a great night's sleep, and I thought I was ready to run. I thought wrong.

The first 3 miles were completely painful. Not just as in an "I'm totally not into this," which I wasn't, but an "Ow! My calves are cramping," kind of painful. This is new. This hasn't happened before.

I think part of it was because I felt like everyone took off at the beginning of the race, and I was left by myself (this isn't completely true). I ran faster to try and keep up with the pack. And, part of it was probably due to not drinking my usual Nuun the day before. I like to drink a few tablets worth of it to up my electrolytes. Whatever the cause, my calves hurt!

Mile 1: 11:11 (Eek! Started too "fast")
Mile 2: 12:02
Mile 3: 12:09

After slowing down and grabbing some Gatorade at a water stop, the calf pain eased, and I felt better. Still not great, but at least I wasn't in pain.

Mile 4: 11:58
Mile 5: 11:47 (I took a GU gel around mile 4.5)
Mile 6: 11:47

It wasn't until mile 6 that I felt totally in the race. Prior, I had dreams of stopping, calling my boyfriend to come and pick me up and booking it to New Orleans. Not that I was going to do it, but it was fun to dream. 

I came into this race wanting a personal record (PR). I thought it was finally my time to get that PR I've been chasing for almost a year, knowing it was a super-flat course. Before mile 6, I really didn't think it was going to happen.  

Super-duper flat

Mile 7: 11:36
Mile 8: 11:46
Mile 9: 11:31 (I took another GU gel around mile 8.5)
 
I started to get more optimistic after mile 9. I finally felt great, and I wanted to get to New Orleans.

Mile 10: 11:12
Mile 11: 11:14
Mile 12: 11:07

Coming into the last 1.1 miles, I knew I had a fabulous shot at that record. I wanted it, and I hoped I could at least keep up the pace of mile 12.

Mile 13: 10:45 (Holy crap! My fastest mile of the entire race was the last full mile!)
Mile 0.1: 0:43

My official time: 2:30:54. FINALLY! I took off almost 3 minutes from my personal best. 

Super-duper happy with my PR!

Pretty sweet medal

This course was gorgeous. It was an out-and-back of this view.

Maybe the repetitive scenery made me run faster?

But, it was the same thing for 13.1 miles. I know there are worse things in life to look at for 13.1 miles, but it got boring. I need variety ... waaah, right? I'm such a baby. 

But, the after-party made up for it. 

Homemade gumbo? Yes, please.

Beer? Yes, please.

=

On the beach? Yes, please. 

Oh, they also had hot dogs and pizza ... but, why? 

This race is ideal for a "fast" time. It's super, super, super flat (yes, it deserves three "supers"). And, at the end of January, it shouldn't be too hot (for a race in the South) — it was actually warmer than I hoped, but it wasn't unbearable (70s by race-end). As an added bonus, it's only about an hour's drive to New Orleans. YES! 

Have you ever had calf pain during a run? Do you know why? What did you do to resolve it? Has it even taken you 6 miles to warm up? Ever run a race right along the coast? Ever get bored with the same scenery (no matter how beautiful) during a run?

Rotary's Run Around the Pier 5K, Sept. 29, St. Petersburg, Florida: race recap

I thought a Saturday evening 5K was the ideal race for me ... well, besides it being a 5K. Perhaps it would be ideal if I didn’t spend the whole day running around getting a car loan and starting the car-buying process (and not drinking enough or eating properly). And, if I didn’t rush to the race with 10 minutes to spare. And, if it wasn’t 87 degrees at race time (my potential new car has a spiffy temperature display in it). 

Fortunately, I already picked up my race packet. Handy that they had packet pickup at my running group location on a running group night. 

 
So, all I had to do was find a restroom (a real restroom – hooray!), find my coach (who was pacing me) and run this thing.

I immediately saw people in my running group (and my coach), so I signaled I was heading to the restroom. I managed to meet them in time for the national anthem and start of the race. Whew!

The race started right on time. My coach’s plan for me:

• Mile 1: tell her a story
• Mile 2: have a conversation
• Mile 3: she’ll tell me a story 

The idea: start off easy and run harder throughout the race.

So, I started off telling her the story of my day. I told her how painful it is to buy a car, how I was kind of sad I’d be saying goodbye to my old car, and how I ran around all day long (bank, car dealer, lunch, back to car dealer, airport to pick up lost luggage, home for 10 minutes before heading to race).

Even though I was talking almost all of mile 1, I knew I was going a little fast for me (especially in the heat). But, being the stubborn, competitive person that I am, I kept going.

When my coach picked up the pace in mile 2, I knew I was in trouble. When she asked about the pace, I admitted that I needed to back off a little. So, we slowed a little, but not much. The main problem: the heat. This course was sunny. I’ve run into problems with the Pier before, and I was again. It’s long and hot and miserable. 

We finally hit a water stop about halfway through the course. Normally, I don’t even use water stops in a 5K. I had to this race. I was looking for it, and I was so relieved to see it. I slowed down to drink what I could while still running and then dumped the rest over my head.

The rest of the race, I just kept thinking, “It’s miserable now, but as soon as you cross the finish line, you’ll feel better.” I really don’t remember the last half of the race besides remembering I wanted it to be over. I also remember my coach talking a lot (in a good way … I needed a distraction).

As I made the final push at the end, I felt fuzzy and wobbly. But, I kept thinking, “Just finish, and you’ll feel better as soon as you cross the finish line.”

Fuzzy and wobbly, but almost to the finish line

It's about to get better, right?

As I crossed the finish line, I still felt fuzzy and wobbly (Man, I lied to myself the whole race! I was supposed to feel better now). I do remember getting asked if I wanted my towel (part of the race goodies), so I grabbed that. Then, I remember more wobbling and my coach taking me to sit down.

I don’t remember much after that. I know I sat down for awhile, and then I decided to move away from people because I felt nauseous. I made it to an area with less people, and then sat down again. I tried drinking water, but that made me more nauseous.

The race had food and beer, so my coach graciously offered to grab me some food, thinking it might make me feel better. She came back with a roll (she said the food line was out of control, so she grabbed the only thing she could). I nibbled on it, and eventually I felt better.

We said our goodbyes, and I apologized numerous times for a rather dramatic 5K. 

Finally feeling well enough to stand

Why did this happen? I have some theories:

• It was hot.
• I didn’t drink enough water during the day.
• I didn’t eat enough during the day (because of the whole car-buying extravaganza, I only ate one meal around 1:30 p.m. – not smart).
• The whole day was a rush.
• It was a combination of all of the above (probably most likely).

What I do know is I don’t want it to happen again … even if it does result in a PR. Yep, a personal record! My time: 33:20, a nice 1 minute and 12 seconds faster than my personal best (thanks to pacing by my wonderful, patient, caring, kind coach). OK, maybe it was worth it. Or it at least made it better.

I did get faster for the first two miles (as the plan called for), but that last 1.1 was a little slower (due to the wobbles).

As for the race itself, the parts I were able to participate in were great. The packet pickup was easy. The race started on time and started in a nice location with real restrooms. The problems didn’t start until after the race (or so I heard). I can’t verify this personally because I was sitting on a bench trying not to puke. But, I did hear from reliable sources that they ran out of T-shirts, and they were in the process of running out of food and beer (part of the advertised draw of the race). Oops.

Shirt and towel (I think Gateway Radiology was a sponsor)

Would I run this again? I wouldn’t rule it out. I’d give the organizers a chance to fix the issues of running out of food and beer; it was an inaugural race, and I think they can work that out. But, I think it would be a race-time decision. I’d wait and see if the weather wanted to cooperate and was a few degrees cooler. The Pier, running, hot weather and I just don’t get along that well.