The weather was great, the course was pretty and I was able to get a good night's rest the night before. I had to drive about 45 minutes south to get to the race, so I was up at 5:30. Traffic was light, so the drive went fast. I parked a mile away so I could leave the race as soon as I was done (the course was closed until all of the runners finished, and on-site parking would have kept me there waaayyyy longer than I wanted to stay).
The race was supposed to start at 7:15, but there were some issues with a severe lack of portable toilets, so they waited until they could get the lines down before they started the race and the start was delayed about 20 minutes. I've found that I've become more of a race snob with the more races I've run — I am particular and judgmental about how well organized things are, including whether they start on time, things are well marked, etc. This race wasn't the best in terms of organization, but the turnout was good — not too many people, but a decent crowd.
I haven't been able to train as much as I've wanted — I just can't handle long runs with the stroller, and while Elle is good with being stuck in the stroller, I don't like to test her patience too much. It was extremely nice to not push the stroller on race day, but I missed my little training buddy a bit :) I don't have the tolerance or time for longer treadmill runs, which is where I run on weekday mornings.
The weather has been getting warmer fast, and that makes for some not-so-enjoyable training runs as well. The weather on race day was a little bit humid, but it was along water, so there was a nice breeze for the majority of it, too.
The 6.2 miles was the longest race I've run. I was prepared to walk a considerable bit, but when I got out there I hit a good rhythm and ran about 95% of it. My pace was good for the first three miles, but my endurance definitely wasn't where it needed to be to keep up a good pace for the entire run, so I finished with an 11:30-minute mile pace. This isn't terrible considering I ran an 11-minute mile pace at the Thanksgiving five-miler I ran ... and I could barely walk for the next three days after that. I think I was in much better physical shape this time and recognized my limits while still challenging myself.
This time I wasn't in much pain until yesterday and today, when I have been sitting a lot more. My ankles hurt the first two days post-race, and yesterday my legs were tight, but I wasn't hobbling around or hearing joints pop and crack with every move. I have found that when I'm running a lot I crave dairy products — last weekend on my longer run days I wanted cheese, cheese and chocolate milk. Even during the 10K, I was imagining ice cream and cheese. And subs. With cheese. I headed to Subway for lunch and felt like I could die happy.
When I register for these races, I think it's a great idea. But when I get up early, staying in bed sometimes sounds like a MUCH better idea. Sheer stubbornness and knowing that I've already forked over the registration money are what get me out of bed. Some people are motivated by others, but running by myself is pretty normal for me, and crossing the finish line without anyone there to see me is what I'm used to, although I admit it's a little anti-climatic.
I sometimes wonder why I continue to register for these runs — paying money, losing sleep, etc. But it feels good. It feels good to have something for me, take the time for myself. It feels good to see different parts of the state during these races and get fresh air. It feels good to meet new people, like the woman I walked with from the parking area to the race area — I'll probably never see her again, but we talked about running, our kids and the event (dis)organization in the 20 minutes before they told us to start. It feels good to put the miles in and burn the calories and get stronger. It feels good to step away from the computer, the chores, the stresses and demands of every day life, and hit the pavement to let my mind wander.
The 10K was a good time to think, definitely, but not stress out. I saw women passing me with double strollers and I said a silent "You go, Mama." I saw some funny shirts, including "I forgot to train" worn by a group of women and "Race official: Do not pass" worn by two women who were definitely not race officials. I thought about all of the high school classmates I know who run now, too — we didn't run in high school, but the "bug" bit us a few years later and now there are a lot of people posting statuses about training, registration and race results. This race wasn't run for a specific charitable cause, so I wasn't overly emotional like I get during the breast cancer 5Ks I've run. I was happy with my finish and knew I'd a) finished strongly and b) have plenty of room to improve. I'm not all that interested in running longer races, so improving my time is a definitely obtainable goal.
The last few weeks marked a change in my runs — instead of feeling like it was an obligation to run, I wanted to go run. It was my escape. Elle was particularly fussy and disagreeable one Saturday morning, and I had been planning on taking a run with her after her nap. Even though I knew she would fall asleep and possibly ruin her nap time, we headed out in the stroller before lunch, because I just needed a break and figured she'd enjoy the scenery. She was happy and calm for the 20 minutes before she fell asleep, and then I just kept running. It was peaceful, it was refreshing, and I came home feeling renewed and ready to face more whining. (Well, not ready, but in a better place, perhaps?) Instead of coming home with a list of things to do or blog about or worry about (the things I normally fill my running time with), I feel like my mind has wandered more, relaxed more, during my recent runs. During the race, I daydreamed up a possible weekend trip for the three of us, but that's about it — I didn't pack my mind with to-dos and deep thoughts and stresses, and I remember more of each mile marker and the scenery than I can remember about most of my races.
Last Sunday, Tim was home, and I could have left Elle with him as I went out on a long run, but she wanted to come with me when she found out I was heading out for a run. I took her out for three miles and listened to her sing and chatter while I sweated and pushed through my normal neighborhood loop. It makes it easier to head out for a run when she's looking forward to it, too. When I brought her home before heading out for another two miles on my own, she was really upset and kept asking to get back in the "troller." I love that Elle gets excited when we go for stroller runs and she can see both Tim and I as active role models, but it was sooo nice for me to be able to finish my run without pushing 30+ pounds of baby gear and toddler.
The rest of Saturday was quiet, and I tried to not back ALL of the calories I'd burned that morning (the sub and any subsequent cheese or ice cream were necessary, though). Elle and I went to the open house of a new swim gym on Saturday when I got back from the race. She went in the bounce house, got her face painted and made a new friend (playing in puddles: bringing toddlers together since the beginning of time).
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| Me, post-race; Elle, post-face painting |
Not running at my normal weekend times felt odd — we didn't have to worry about going for a run before dinner, because I had done my run for the day. But on Sunday, it felt weird to not run. We went for a two-mile family walk in the morning, but then ... my day was open. It's nice to have breaks like that after you've been training for an event. I'm heading back to the gym tomorrow morning, but these last few days of walks and stretches have been really, really enjoyable.
My "race season" is unofficially over until fall - it is just too hot to run outside in the Florida summer. I have plans to take some spinning classes (thank you, Living Social deal!) and we're looking in to joining a new gym, which would allow me more workout options, especially on the hot weekend days when I am just not going to drag Elle out in the stroller for what will then be an agonizing run.
A day late, but linking up with Move It Monday:
Ashley has been setting mini-goals for the last two weeks, and I've got a few of my own this week:
* Drink 72+ ounces of water each day
* Lose a pound
* Workout four or more days
* Track my calories five or more days
So far I'm good on the water and have tracked two days of food ... the workouts begin tomorrow!
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