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After the C25K - Continuing the Journey

guest — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 16:58:23 GMT

On Saturday, I participated in one of the best events I have ever run in my very short running career.

This race was the first running of what I hope is an annual event. From packet pick-up to finish, everything went smooth as silk. The trail (Lost Bridge Trail) was gorgeous, the weather (brisk 50s and sunny) was perfect, and the whole thing was just well-organized and fun.

Packet pick-up was a sign of things to come, because it was quick, orderly, the volunteers were friendly and the swag bag was fun and cute.

The race itself was a 5-mile point-to-point, so shuttle busses took runners to the start point. There was plenty of parking and port-a-potties.

There was a bit of a cluster at the starting gun, but it cleared up quickly. The course was beautiful (enough so that I slowed down to snap a few pics), well-marked out, flat and, fast. Water stations were well-stocked and the volunteers were encouraging.

The finish was again well-stocked with water, Gatorade, granola bars, apples, and bananas.

The tech shirt is nice and every finisher got a medal. I don't know what the overall and AG winners got, but they also had a drawing for door prizes. Guess who won a free pair of any Saucony running shoes from the LRS? That's right!

Macmillan predicted a 1:26 finish so I went conservative and decided my goal would be 1:25. My chip time? 1:17:54! I beat my goal! Not just beat it - smashed it!!!

So it was a really good day all around and a wonderful race. The RD and all volunteers should really give themselves a pat on the back. I'm already looking forward to next year!

50 and over, 5k and beyond - Race Reports

guest — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 16:52:35 GMT

On Saturday, I participated in one of the best events I have ever run in my very short running career.

Packet pick-up was a sign of things to come, because it was quick, orderly, the volunteers were friendly and the swag bag was fun and cute.

The race itself was a 5-mile point-to-point, so shuttle busses took runners to the start point. There was plenty of parking and port-a-potties.

The finish was again well-stocked with water, Gatorade, granola bars, apples, and bananas.

Macmillan predicted a 1:26 finish so I went conservative and decided my goal would be 1:25. My chip time? 1:17:54! I beat my goal! Actually, more than beat it - smashed it!!!

So it was a really good day all around and a wonderful race. The RD and all volunteers should really give themselves a pat on the back. I'm already looking forward to next year!

What do you use to keep your iPod on while running?

guest — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 14:45:49 GMT

I have to second the SPIbelt recommendation. I have one and it fits my iPhone, keys, gum. It doesn't bounce around and I often forget I'm wearing it until I get back to change. For less than $20 it's totally worth it!

Re: After the C25K - Continuing the Journey

guest — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 00:04:01 GMT

Hi everyone! I'm back. I haven't been around for a while because between the July heat and going back to work after summer break, I haven't done anything for a month a so. I just started back this week. It's been a bit hard-going trying to get my groove back, but it's coming along and I'm really glad to be back at it. How is everyone else doing?

Re: Starting C25K week of March 13

guest — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 23:56:22 GMT

Hey! Looks like the old thread is dead. I had been incommunicado because between the July heat and getting back to work, I hadn't done any running in about a month or so. I just returned this past week. It's been a bit of a struggle getting the ole groove back, but it feels good. I sure miss you guys. I've been posting on the Dailly Mile so if any of you are still around, let me know. I hope everyone is doing something to stay off the couch, even if it isn't full-on running. Let me know! Miss my "week-mates".

Re: After the C25K - Continuing the Journey

guest — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 23:04:57 GMT

So this morning was my latest 5K race. As I mentioned in my post about signing up, Scheels is a giant sports emporium (it has an indoor ferris wheel) that opened up a few weeks ago. So when I signed up, I kind of was expecting a nice swag bag - you know, samples, maybe some coupons to the store,or even a ticket to ride the ferris wheel. When I went to pick up my packet on Friday evening, first of all, they didn't have me as registered. Luckily, I had my receipt on me and showed it and was able to get my bag. I open it up and nada! Just my shirt (cotton tshirt at that), bib, timing chip, a map of the race route, and a raffle ticket for one of 3 door prizes. Not even a store insert or anything. I was honestly stunned. But I convinced myself that it must have been because I got a "late registration" bag instead of what *should* have been my *real* bag. I just kind of shrugged my shoulders and dealt with it.

I got out to the store this morning and ran into the same mom of one of my kids at school (we joked that we must now be official running buddies!). We compared notes on the swag bags and I found out the only thing more that was given in the other bags was a $10 off coupon for E-85 gasonline. I have no idea if my car can even take E-85, so I figured, no loss. We lined up behind the runners and in front of the walkers to wait for the start. One of the walkers, a lady named Karen, chatted with us a bit; sharing that this was her first road race and how nervous she was. We assured her she'd be fine and since she said her walking pace was about our "running" pace, we said we'd stay close. The gun went off and off we went. The temp was about 75°, but it was cloudy, so things seemed well in that department. The route was actually on the road, so no shade, but very well marked and manned by volunteers. At about the first half-mile, we pulled away from walker Karen. I knew we were going pretty fast, but I felt good. As we got close to the first water station though, the sun came out and things started heating up. A little after the first water station, we passed the 1-mile marker. The volunteer shouted out "14:xx"! Oh no!!! That was entirely too fast. No way I'm going to be able to keep up that pace. And of course I couldn't.

Needless to say, the rest of the race was a jog/walk (mostly walk). I had spent nearly everything in the first mile and had only enough to not be passed by the walkers (including Karen) who were being escorted by the sweep car. As I rounded the last corner to the finish line, I saw the clock was ticking towards 50 mins. I tried to push it enough to come in under that. I thought I did.

When I checked Runkeeper, it said that the distance was a bit short (3.05 miles) and that I'd done it in 50:44. However, the official race results put me at 49:27. Which do I count? Just as a side note, the official results of last week's race put me at 30:59 versus Runkeeper's 31:34. The after race snacks were good and the best part of the day? Walker Karen won one of the door prizes!

Anyway, I learned a few lessons:

Just because a big group puts on a race, don't expect good swag. Or even any swag.
Don't give it all up in the first mile. Especially when your all isn't even that fast.
Running only once in the week prior to a race isn't a really good idea.
Neither is baking a double layer devil's food cake with Mascarpone and cream cheese icing and eating it all by yourself.
Even without swag and not running and with eating a whole cake by myself, races are about the most fun thing ever!

Re: After the C25K - Continuing the Journey

guest — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 22:30:20 GMT

Good job, Virginia! The weather sounds perfect. So true about drinking while running - I just walk through water stations now. Nearly choked myself during my first 5K trying to drink and run.

Re: After the C25K - Continuing the Journey

guest — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 22:27:29 GMT

Great job, Snowy! You are right to be proud of yourself. And you're right, the road race bug *is* better than the Oreo and reality TV bug - even if it's a bit more expensive!

Re: After the C25K - Continuing the Journey

guest — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 13:59:23 GMT

Morning all!

It's been crazy hot here the last few days - heat indices over 110°. I took a short walk yesterday around 7 a.m. and it was already ridiculous, so I went out at 6 a.m. this morning and did a 2-mile run/jog interval run. It was really a challenge, but I'm pretty pleased. According to Runkeeper, at least for a little while, I was running at an 11:30 mm pace. Naturally, I couldn't keep that up for long, but it's nice to know what my body is capable of. I really tried to concentrate on keeping good from and picking my feet up sharply during the jog intervals. I think it really will make a difference as distances get longer to keep good form even when I get tired.

Richard, thanks for all the info you share with us. I have learned so much, even when you are NOT directly addressing me.

Hope everyone has a great day and remember to keep cool!

Message was edited by: M.J. in Springpatch because leaving out a word changes the whole meaning of a sentence.

Re: After the C25K - Continuing the Journey

guest — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 16:04:08 GMT

Just wanted to pop in and say I just registered for another 5K. Scheel's (a midwest sports emporium which just opened here a couple of weeks ago) is having its inaugural 5K on Saturday. I figure the swag bag should be pretty good - LOL! This addiction is getting expensive.