Sunday, September 8, 2013

Angels on the Bay 5k Recap

 Yesterday morning I went down to the track, and ran some 200's, 100's and really, I had no plan. I just wanted to run faster (than I had been doing in these last few weeks) in preparation for the race this morning. I was hitting 7:30 and 8:00's - but it was not sustainable. I did almost 4 miles, and I left not feeling very impressed.  I wondered how it would effect the race today.

I was very nervous this morning. More nervous that I can remember getting ready to run a race. I got there in plenty of time - probably too early. I did a slow 3/4 mile around the track, and mulled around waiting for the race to start. I had Runmeter call out for negative splits, much like I did on my last 5k in April before my injury. I had been running and racing the previous fall and winter, and I thought I was in great shape, even though my heart rate was in the low 170's when I raced. I came in at 25:31, a PR for that distance.

When the race started, I realized that my headset had not connected to the phone. I was hearing Runmeter instead through the phone speaker. I didn't want to annoy anyone, so I lowered the volume. I barely heard what was being announced as the race progressed. There was one clock at mile 1, and I got there in 8:45. That made me happy - but I knew and felt that I had gone out too fast, and I knew that I would not be able to go any faster, or even hold on to that pace. It was an out and back course, with rolling inclines/declines. Past the turn around, the only water station sat - and I picked up a cup and slowed down to drink. About an eighth of a mile after that, I walked for about 30 seconds to bring my heart rate down from 175 to 165.
It got warm very quickly, it was 69 degrees when I left the house, and it was overcast to the east - controlling the rising sun's assault on us. By the time the race was 15 minutes in, the weather cleared and although there was a good amount of wind, it was a warm wind.

I came in at 9:01/mile - 2nd in my age group of 17 women. The 1st place winner (the same age as me) ran 7:30/mile. We posed together for a pic someone took.
There were 390+ runners all together, but I'm not clear on how many ran the 5k, and how many did the 10k. We started out together.

What bummed me out was that I really felt lousy. I so enjoyed running without the nastiness of breathing hard and feeling like I had no control. 

There was a 94 year old runner who did the 5k in 59:58! How wonderful! If I play my cards right, and consider running comfortably instead of knocking myself for a loop - maybe I'll still be running when I'm that old!


The back of his shirt said "Senior Feet" !


I signed up for CH. I kinda knew I would, but right now, at this very moment in time, I'm wondering how I will run it. Trying to stay at a healthy, aerobic heart rate, or try to PR it. I guess we'll see how I'll feel like training for it.

This week I start a part time job as a TA for a university out east every Monday. Combined with my full time job, that'll be 13 hrs on Mondays with travel. Nothing like making my life just a little bit more challenging!

Runmeter Data

12 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Thanks, A! He's the new love of my life.. so smiley when he finished, and he wasn't even breathing heavy!

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  2. Wow - congratulations on your finish! In 35 races I've only placed once in my age group. The lone plaque sits on the wall in my exercise room, mocking me during my workouts. I'm sorry that you didn't feel well after the race. Cow Harbor will be a new experience. You can run it at any pace that feels right.

    Congratulations also on your new TA position!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, ER!
      lol.. 'mocking me'..
      Ugh- my legs and scalp were all tingly like I was hyperventilating or something, and I had goosebumps, but wasn't even cold! Weirdness.
      I ran Cow Harbor last year - and I'm thinking I'm going to try to get as close to last years time as I can. My first half is in two weeks later. My goal was under 2 hours, now I'm not going to pressure myself because it will be my first. I'm just going to run it and finish it.

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  3. Wise decision to just run your first half, rather than to put pressure on yourself with time goal. I ran the LI Half back in early May, and my goal was just to finish it and have fun, until I suddenly started training at a faster pace a few weeks before. Two weeks before the race I did 13.2 in 1:58, and decided that I had to break 2 hours. Well, long story short, I had heavy legs the morning of the race, started out too fast in an effort to convince myself that I felt strong, bonked at about 9 miles, and finished at 2:06. I was pretty pissed, tho 2:06 was much faster than I had imagined when I registered. So, just run it and be proud of finishing, and worry about breaking 2 hours after you have one half under your belt.

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    1. I'm actually looking forward to it more now that I just decided to enjoy it and finish. I had been dreading it before that decision.
      Thanks for the vote of confidence and sharing your experience.. :)

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    2. In short -- Enjoy the Half this October; Destroy the Half next May.

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  4. Hi:

    I totally understand how racing and running just for fun are so different. I ran a 5K over the weekend, and did well, however, I too felt lousy. Heart rate very high, had to take a walk break (which I never do on a usual run) and finished feeling quite wiped out. That being said, I won my age group (however, not many in my advanced age group) which may have made it worth it.

    Good luck with your next race. It is hard not to go all out, it is a race, after all.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, you are so right. I still have to master the control aspect and not go all out at the beginning. It sounds like our experience this weekend was the same!

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  5. I really like your blog. I am in my 50's and really enjoy running. Have done a lot of 5K's and am trying to get up enough never to enter a 10K. I can definitely "run" the distance, but am not sure I can "race" it, without a totally collapse!

    I look forward to your next entry.

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    Replies
    1. Ahh.. well, that's where self control comes in, I guess. After over a year of running, I'm still trying to master it. I've got a good way to think about it. Since it will be the first time you 'race' a 10k, you can come in at any time you want to. As you progress in your training, your first 10k finish time will be the time to beat next time you register for your second. That's the way I'm looking at my first half in October.
      Thanks for posting and kind words!

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  6. Still catching up on your blog....

    2nd in your AG in a 10k!! Whoo hoo!

    I was surprised to see you running intervals the day before !? I would never do that. Nor would I bother with any running warm up before the race. (Ok, maybe for a mile or 5k I would)

    for my 10k Friday, I play to train as hard as I can the last few days, and then 18 hours of rest.the race is in the evening so that means I will run on Wednesday morning a bit.

    Yes, your advice above is spot-on...it's all about pacing refinement and without any previous races it is hard to do even pacing


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I appreciate you taking the time to read my musings! Thanks for commenting!