What an awesome, awesome race, can't believe I almost backed out of showing up this morning (another night of very little sleep). I am soooo glad that I showed up, it's not that I had an especially good race (25:01, right where I've been stuck at) but getting to see all these ladies line up to run and/or walk their first 5k was exceptionally uplifting.
After my finish I grabbed a water, said hi to James and Mike and walked back down a little ways from the finish line to cheer on the other finishers. Got some thank yous and huge grins, one of the biggest smiles was from a little girl. She beamed this humongous grin, made my day! Just absolutely amazing seeing all different sorts and sizes, some were very determined, others just happy to be able to do the 3.1 miles. Yeah, yeah I'm kinda gushing here but y'all should have been there. As a matter of fact if there's anything like that in your area I strongly urge you to get out and support the racers. You wouldn't believe how much it helps to have people, esp. strangers cheering you on.
While I'm gushing here, just have to throw in some flowers (truckerspeak for compliment) to the Cabot Cruisers. The most fabulous and supportive running club in the state! I'm very proud to call these ladies (and guys!) my friends. I ran today with a very nice woman from the other side of the state (Paris) who was so impressed with the club that she's considering joining us, YAY! While we were running together, I was getting "Go Gabbys" from the Cruisers that were the clinic leaders and from a couple of other non-Cruiser friends and she told me that I was very popular, LOL. I told her no, it's just how supportive my running group is!!!!!!! BTW, have to give an extra thank you to Miss Vic for personally escorting my lazy butt up to the front of the start line (I had lined up about 1/4 of the way back).
Ok race performance review, as I mentioned already I finished in 25:01. However my Garmin showed 24:58, and the clock had just ticked over to 25:00 when I went by it. Also spoke to a couple of other friends that their times posted were different from what was on the clock and/or on their watches.
The only time we saw the sun was just before race start and during it. Since it had been raining just an hour or two prior that made for some steamy pavement, ugh. Anyhoo, hot and humid! I also didn't have enough of a warmup--less that 3/4 of a mile and that was stop and go so I could talk to different people. According to Garmy mile 1 was 7:31, mile 2 8:14, mile 3 8:08, mile 3.13 1:04. My stomach did start to cramp a little around mile 2 but thankfully that went away fairly quickly. I think that I finished 24th overall counting clinic and open racers and was 1st in my age group.
Not a bad race and my foot was ok, just a slight soreness right now but that's because I didn't stretch immediately after. And any race where you make a new friend and get to meet back up with one you haven't seen in almost a year does make for a pretty good day ;-).
8 comments:
Thank you Gabby, I appreciate that. Years and years ago (in my 20s)I use to run some 10Ks. I ran the Helen Keller in Alabama and was so amped to post a good time, I had trained and gotten my time down around 40 minutes. I ran it in 56 minutes, I was crushed, lol...Keep in touch
Jimmy
Jimmy, I can never predict how I'm going to do or feel in a race. Well, except for 5ks, I've been staying in the 25ish minute range no matter what lately, LOL. It's very, very, very frustrating when the training has gone perfectly and the race doesn't go as planned (been there, done that, have the t-shirt!).
Gabby
Hey Girl....Thanks for the magazine.. I think I may have found a little inspiration! Started on a program, and maybe, just maybe, I will be determined enough to stick it out this time. My problem, I try to hard in the beginning weeks and burnout quickly. Hopefully, I can follow this guide (even though it seems to start slow) and build into the runner I want to be!! Thanks again!! And YES, I ran in the rain this weekend! Now that is progress, and one less excuse to use!! LOL
Yay Terry!!!!
That was one of my problems when I first started running--trying to go too fast or too far too early. Hey I just set a record for the # of 2's in a sentence I think, LOL. Running in the rain is great in the summer, gives you some relief from the heat and I love it unless it's flooding &/or lightning.
And you're very welcome for the magazine, I subscribe to it but don't usually get the issues until after it's been on the newstand for at least a week. I tend to get impatient and buy a copy before mine arrives. BTW isn't that supposed to be one of the reasons for a subscription is to get it before newstands?
Make a deal with you.....
Pick a 5k in Sept/Oct, and I will come out and run with you. That should give me enough time to get back into the swing of things!! and not be too dreadfully hot!!
Terry, I'll take that deal! Do you want a flat course or something a little hilly? Give me a week or two and I'll email you some options.
Gabby
CONGRATS Gabrielle!
HA....I would prefer something flat, of course that is me being lazy...Hills would be fine too! I think I should be ready for either in 4/5 months time. Let me know what you come up with..... YAY!!
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