Monday, December 17, 2012

Ryan's Reindeer 5k

So I decided last minute, and I mean last minute, to actually roll out of bed Saturday morning, for the third year in a row, to do Ryan's Reindeer 5k. Meh...it's just a 5k.

The race start was 8:30 and I got up at about 7:15, still undecided. Of course I had to take a poll on my facebook page (big mistake) and it was nearly unanimous that I should get my rear out of bed and race. So I did. I wasn't really looking forward to it since all my friends were busy. It is a busy time of year after all.  I was almost to the race site when I was stopped. I had to wait for a stupid train that came to a complete stop. I thought I was going to miss the race. After waiting about 5 minutes I decided to find another way...surely there was another way!


And there was!!  So I rolled up to the race and registered with about 10 minutes to spare. It was cold but not freezing like last year, so I left my jacket in the car.


While waiting to register a short, cute blonde chick cut me in line. I almost punched her in the back of the head....then I realized it was my friend Andrea and The Heezie!  For the record, I would never punch anyone in the back of the head for cutting in line. That would be really mean. I was so excited to see them and to not be racing solo. Last year at this race The Heezie paced me to a 5k PR. I knew it wouldn't happen this year.  I had a plan to chillax, just run, you know like out for a short Sunday stroll, on Saturday....



This race is actually a fairly difficult 5k in my opinion. The first half mile is uphill. It is a pretty significant uphill at that. Once the race started I still had plans of just lopping along. It was crowded and I had started near the back with a lot of walkers, dogs on leash, kids in strollers with adults, and just other little kids who like to weave in and out and get under your feet. But once I got to the top of the hill the crowd has thinned a bit and I was warmed up and felt like going just a bit faster. Not to mention up the hill and turn then there is a nice quarter mile downhill. So down I went....then up again.  Just before the 1 mile mark the road levels out a bit with only smaller ups and downs. At the turnaround I was going at a pretty good pace. I'm not sure what it was but it was certainly under 8:30. Once I made it up the steep quarter mile hill to round the corner toward the home stretch I was feeling a bit queasy...but I was almost done. Half a mile down down down.....This is where this race always gets me. It is a fast finish and sometimes I am just not supposed to run that fast. The last half mile was under a 7 min pace....and I had to work hard at not throwing up my breakfast. Gross. My time was ok...I'm not sure exactly what it was but it was 26 something. Certainly not a PR but it certainly could have been had I started out with that as a goal and not been near the back (gun start). My first mile was over 9 minutes. That killed my pace.

I'm glad I got out of bed to run.



So what's next? I need to start working on my 2013 plan....

7 comments:

  1. Holy smokes - yeah you were smokin'!!! Nice job on the sub 7 mile! Glad you got out of bed!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Way to go!! That is an awesome time!

    ReplyDelete
  3. 5K is a long way. I did run for 5K before. It was a marathon. Very nice experience.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I am glad that you made on time and It sounds like an interesting race and I glad that you did great.

    ReplyDelete
  5. WE have a Reindeer 5K in JAcksonville FL. I heard its lots of fun!!

    I am a runner too. Check our blog out = )

    http://myhealthymindset.blogspot.com/

    Hope you like it!

    ReplyDelete
  6. In order to make your runs better and better your body should be able to perform its best. I have found a way to keep good shape without overtraining and without exhausting my body. Right nutrition is one of the key factors. Still, sometimes everyday meals can not provide all necessary nutrients. That is why I am taking nutritional supplements. As I am strongly opposed to all kinds of chemicals, I was looking for the natural supplement, consisting basically of vitamins. And I have found the one - Multipurpose High-Potency Super Nutritional Complex by Military Grade. It keeps me toned and prepared for my best runs.

    ReplyDelete

You're pretty much awesome!!

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails