I have learned some things since the marathon, friends.
Things I have learned since the marathon:
I really like running 3 maybe 4 days a week as opposed to having to run 5.
I really really like getting to add other things like swimming and biking and step class into my routine.
I really really really need to be using My Fitness Pal. And I have been. But I can’t stop and I have to be more diligent with it. I’ve been maintaining the last few weeks, but I’d really like to be losing.
It
never
gets
any
easier…
So last weekend I got to run the Care 4 Breast Cancer 5K in Woodstock as The Running Depot ambassador. If you have never run this race, you HAVE to sign up for it next year. It was FANTASTIC! It was the most organized and supported race I’ve ever been involved in. This is typical of the larger and more expensive races, but even before race day, I received a few emails from the organizers with information about packet pick up and race day details.
The morning of the race, I got up early and got dressed in my The Running Depot gear.
Things I have learned since the marathon:
I really like running 3 maybe 4 days a week as opposed to having to run 5.
I really really like getting to add other things like swimming and biking and step class into my routine.
I really really really need to be using My Fitness Pal. And I have been. But I can’t stop and I have to be more diligent with it. I’ve been maintaining the last few weeks, but I’d really like to be losing.
It
never
gets
any
easier…
So last weekend I got to run the Care 4 Breast Cancer 5K in Woodstock as The Running Depot ambassador. If you have never run this race, you HAVE to sign up for it next year. It was FANTASTIC! It was the most organized and supported race I’ve ever been involved in. This is typical of the larger and more expensive races, but even before race day, I received a few emails from the organizers with information about packet pick up and race day details.
The morning of the race, I got up early and got dressed in my The Running Depot gear.
The race started and ended at Woodstock North High School like The Girls on the Run race. I had planned on getting there early because I wasn’t able to pick up my packet the day before. The emails said that there would be shuttles from the municipal building to the high school, but in order to get to the municipal building, I would have to pass the school. I was pleasantly surprised to see that since I was so early, there was still parking at the high school. However, if I had already had my packet and was able to sleep in a little and get there later, the shuttle would have been mighty convenient.
It was a beautiful morning; a little cold, but it was one of those mornings that you know your run is going to rock because the sky is blue, the sun is shining, and the air is crisp and alive.
It was a beautiful morning; a little cold, but it was one of those mornings that you know your run is going to rock because the sky is blue, the sun is shining, and the air is crisp and alive.
As I entered the building I was greeted by a gaggle of girls from the area school’s cross country teams and cheer teams. Their energy and perkiness was infectious! I was very impressed with these ladies and just the idea of recruiting students from the area schools to help: Genius.
Packet pick-up was super easy and since I didn’t have to shuttle it to the high school, I had some extra time. I had read that there would be coffee and water and even food before the race, but when I looked around the cafeteria where packet pick up was, I didn’t see much. I was disappointed until I saw the sign that said “Expo” and an arrow pointing down the hall. I followed the arrows and was amazed by what I saw: tents and tables and food galore!
Panera bagels, Country Doughnuts, Dunkin Donuts, Sam’s Club with chocolate milk and bananas and yogurt. And Starbucks. Oh Starbucks, how do I love thee? See how I mention the food first?? But wait. There was even more than just food. There were tables for many other businesses like massage therapists, spas and of course, The Running Depot!
Packet pick-up was super easy and since I didn’t have to shuttle it to the high school, I had some extra time. I had read that there would be coffee and water and even food before the race, but when I looked around the cafeteria where packet pick up was, I didn’t see much. I was disappointed until I saw the sign that said “Expo” and an arrow pointing down the hall. I followed the arrows and was amazed by what I saw: tents and tables and food galore!
Panera bagels, Country Doughnuts, Dunkin Donuts, Sam’s Club with chocolate milk and bananas and yogurt. And Starbucks. Oh Starbucks, how do I love thee? See how I mention the food first?? But wait. There was even more than just food. There were tables for many other businesses like massage therapists, spas and of course, The Running Depot!
While looking around, I ran into one of my friends from when I was working with half-marathon training group at The Running Depot in the summer of 2014. Linda and I had run together a lot during those training runs. Well, I ran behind her trying to keep up with her a lot too, if I’m being honest. We ended up sticking together until the start and it was nice to catch up. We even caught up with one of the coaches from our training group, Melody.
Since it was a short race, I wanted to work on my time and see what would happen if I tried to run it fast. I hate running fast. I don’t do it often enough in my training like I should so I’m still unsure during these short races exactly how to pace myself and how fast I can go consistently for 3 miles. I really wanted to run a little before the race to get my heart rate elevated before I started. There were some of the really fast people doing that so Linda and I just joined them. I felt a little self-conscious like maybe those really fast guys were thinking, “What is she doing?” But, I realized that I would have to tell that little inner mean girl to shut the heck up because I had a race to get ready for.
We got back to the corral and waited for the start. My legs felt great (I’m SO glad I rested and started back up easily the first two weeks after the marathon!!!) and the chilly weather was actually perfect for running. I was glad that we pushed ourselves close to the front of the pack because even where we were, it was bit congested for a little while at the start. But the race was chip-timed so I knew that my time wouldn’t start until I went across the mat.
I felt great the first two miles. My legs were strong, but my heart was beating fast and I was breathing quicker than usual. “Can I do this for 10 or 12 more minutes?” I didn’t have any music so I was just reaping energy from the crowd and my fellow runners. There was a dad and his maybe 10 year old daughter running just in front of me the whole time. He was so encouraging with her. I heard him tell her “We’ll probably break 26 minutes.” I was so proud of her! She was getting tired by the end, but honey, I was too! I felt her pain! She ended up gaining speed at the end and she finished probably 7 seconds before me. Once I got off of Ware Road and back on the school parking lot for the last .2 or so, I also picked up the speed. I had looked at my watch and knew that I was close to my PR. I realized that I probably wouldn’t hit it, but I would be close. With my arms in the air and a “YES!” I crossed the finish line and the clock was just under 26 minutes. I knew that my official time would be even less, though since I didn’t hit the mat right a the official start.
After a bathroom break and chatting with some friends, I hit the gym again. This time, I was ready for some of that Starbucks and food! I went all around the gym, got some coffee and food (BTW: the new Cherry Vanilla bagel at Panera is SUPER yummy!) I knew the awards were not going to start until 9:30am. The race was much bigger than I had anticipated, but I thought just maybe I might have placed in my age/sex group. I’ve worked so hard at this running thing. It would feel so good to finally get at least 3rd place in my group. Remember the scenario last year when they mistakenly told me I had placed at the half I did last October? So you can imagine my feelings when I went to the kiosk and looked at my results
We got back to the corral and waited for the start. My legs felt great (I’m SO glad I rested and started back up easily the first two weeks after the marathon!!!) and the chilly weather was actually perfect for running. I was glad that we pushed ourselves close to the front of the pack because even where we were, it was bit congested for a little while at the start. But the race was chip-timed so I knew that my time wouldn’t start until I went across the mat.
I felt great the first two miles. My legs were strong, but my heart was beating fast and I was breathing quicker than usual. “Can I do this for 10 or 12 more minutes?” I didn’t have any music so I was just reaping energy from the crowd and my fellow runners. There was a dad and his maybe 10 year old daughter running just in front of me the whole time. He was so encouraging with her. I heard him tell her “We’ll probably break 26 minutes.” I was so proud of her! She was getting tired by the end, but honey, I was too! I felt her pain! She ended up gaining speed at the end and she finished probably 7 seconds before me. Once I got off of Ware Road and back on the school parking lot for the last .2 or so, I also picked up the speed. I had looked at my watch and knew that I was close to my PR. I realized that I probably wouldn’t hit it, but I would be close. With my arms in the air and a “YES!” I crossed the finish line and the clock was just under 26 minutes. I knew that my official time would be even less, though since I didn’t hit the mat right a the official start.
After a bathroom break and chatting with some friends, I hit the gym again. This time, I was ready for some of that Starbucks and food! I went all around the gym, got some coffee and food (BTW: the new Cherry Vanilla bagel at Panera is SUPER yummy!) I knew the awards were not going to start until 9:30am. The race was much bigger than I had anticipated, but I thought just maybe I might have placed in my age/sex group. I’ve worked so hard at this running thing. It would feel so good to finally get at least 3rd place in my group. Remember the scenario last year when they mistakenly told me I had placed at the half I did last October? So you can imagine my feelings when I went to the kiosk and looked at my results
4th place?!? Oh well. I was happy with my time. I ran a 25:22 5K last year but the race was so small, they didn’t even record times or anything official. So this race is my “official” 5K PR and I was happy with it. And as my husband (so supportive, that guy) 4th out of 53 in my age/sex and 39th out of 506 of all of the women is pretty darn impressive. So it was a win.
THANK YOU The Running Depot for sponsoring me for this race! I had a blast!
Tomorrow I am running for the first time with The Flatlanders Ultrarunners group in Palos Hills and I can’t wait! I’ll talk all about that and my marathon recovery and my upcoming race plans next time. Maybe I’ll have a loss to report too? Hopefully! Fingers crossed!
Quick shout out to my special friend, let’s call her Pink Lady. She’s on an awesome track, taking charge of her diet and adding exercising into her routine. I went for a walk with Ms. Pink Lady last weekend and I couldn’t believe the pace she was keeping! Proud of you, girl! Keep going!!
Have a fabulous week, friends!!
THANK YOU The Running Depot for sponsoring me for this race! I had a blast!
Tomorrow I am running for the first time with The Flatlanders Ultrarunners group in Palos Hills and I can’t wait! I’ll talk all about that and my marathon recovery and my upcoming race plans next time. Maybe I’ll have a loss to report too? Hopefully! Fingers crossed!
Quick shout out to my special friend, let’s call her Pink Lady. She’s on an awesome track, taking charge of her diet and adding exercising into her routine. I went for a walk with Ms. Pink Lady last weekend and I couldn’t believe the pace she was keeping! Proud of you, girl! Keep going!!
Have a fabulous week, friends!!