Thanks Dan! I love your idea and will give it a try. I think my problem may be bigger, though. I jumped into a 5k last night that a friend was running. Thought having no anticipation and the world's easiest course might help my performance problems but run was the same as all the others. It was 80 degrees and down-hlll and only 1.2 mi. in and I was convinced I had to stop running and walked the rest. Last Sunday evening I ran 4 mi. in the same time with three short walk breaks. I've got a serious mental problem that messes my race runs vs. my training runs.

Anyone have suggestions about how to address and conquer this? 

Mary Kay

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!  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!

Marie,

Ironically, I believe the other runners are responsible for themselves. It's not your job to make them happy. I was annoyed by the kids because they were playing this game, "No matter how slow I go, I am not letting that old lady get ahead of me" and I was the old lady. My collegue who runs recognized it right away and said he'd done it. I probably recognized it because in some way other than racing I've done it in the past, used the behavior of an aged person as a milestone for the limits of my weakness, for the floor of my performance spectrum, if I get so lethargic, lazy, whatever, that I'm like that, I will have hit rock bottom and will have to do something immediately about it. So, it wasn't that the kids were rude, except for the youngest one who ran so darn close to me when she sprinted away. It was that I wasn't happy enough just being able to participate in the race; I let myself get distracted by how they were flaunting their youth and boundless energy while I struggled. I need to find ways to get thicker skin.

You need to enjoy your race!!!! There will be many others using the same method. You'll be surrounded by walk/runners and all that matters anyway is what you are doing.

Meanwhile I injured myself somehow weeks ago and am not recovering. I"m off to the doctor's tomorrow to learn that I need to lay off for at least two weeks which means when the Thanksgiving Day 10k rolls around I'll be lucky to be running 3 miles. So, I guess I'll be learning the walk/run method so I'll be able to complete the 6 mi. without walking for an hour. Wish I could be running.

Mary Kay

Hi everyone!

WOW!!  It was ideal temps for the RnR in Phoenix yesterday!! 

My last training run was on Wed., ran 12 miles so decided to give my muscles and knee 3 days of rest instead of pushing it on Thurs.

Iced my knee for two days, had a massage on Fri., stretching each day, hydrating all day on Saturday.

I've noticed that I have been getting some pretty bad blisters on inside of my right big toe from the 'newer' road shoes I had from last year, mostly from the two marathons so I decided to buy some new lighter road shoes at the EXPO on Saturday, and some new socks.  I know, I know, that you shouldn't try anything new for a race but I am using this race as a 'training' run for my upcoming HMs and FMs this Spring ...........

Slept well, got up at 5, ate 1/2 bagel, a small banana, a bottle of Powerade, and got to the race around 6:45 am.

Stood in line at the porta-potty, some slight stretching, and had the Gatorade Prime (pre-game fuel) around 7:15, waiting for race time at 7:30, didn't cross the starting line until about 7:45 am.

I ran about 10 min/mile, took one minute walk breaks after each mile up to 7 mile when I begin to feel a muscle cramp, OMG!!!  The hamstring on the back of my left thigh, never had one before so I slowed down, and told myself that I need to stop and massage it, RIGHT NOW, at this approximate halfway point!!  "You still have quite a ways to go, STOP NOW!"

That was a tough decision as I was REALLY feeling good about my time, and knew I could possibly finish under two hours.......... bummer!!!  I forced myself to stop and stretch and massage it, lost about 5 minutes there ......... had to readjust my mental state too. 

I slowed my pace and didn't stop for my walk break until at the 9 mile marker, massaged the hamstring again, lost about 5 minutes again!!  darn it!! and lost sight of a couple of my 'pacers' .....

At the 10 mile marker, it started to go 'downhill' so I up my pace and ran a 9 min/mile and took my last walk break at 11 mile.

I finished strong the last 2 miles, passing so many runners on their last 'leg', could see the exhausted expressions on their faces and some of them walking to a crawl, but I got a sudden burst of energy the last 1/2 mile!!

Overall place:  5379

Finish Time:  2:07:59

Overall place in Division, female (50-55):  125

My knee made it!!  Some swelling but I iced it asap, massaging it as well, hamstring is sore today but tolerable. 

For road courses, I am use to finishing under 2 hours, with a PR of 1:42 but I know that it's when I am in a healthy condition, and have trained longer. 

So, overall, I feel good and satisfied with my time. 

Not bad for only 7 days of training though, after not running for 3 months!

I KNOW I CAN BEAT THAT NEXT YEAR!!! 

Course was so much better this year.  They changed it, much more scenic, and less waiting time too because they separated the HM runners from the FM runners with different starting points but finishing at the same place. 

My husband was very supportive throughout the whole race in PHX yesterday, didn't want me walking back to the truck so we took a ride on those bicycle driven 'cart'.  Thank goodness, it was such a distance from the event and the traffice was terrible.  He couldn't believe how well I did although he knows how competitive I am, he knew I could do it but kept telling me to be careful and not worry about the time .......... he didn't have a chance to take any photos of me!  He was waiting for me at the 12 mile marker but there was so many spectators that he didn't see me.  When I called him, he couldn't believe I was already DONE!!  "WHAT? You crossed the finish line already?!?!"  haha!!  Anyway, having family/loved one nearby is such a motivator in itself.

And, NO BLISTERS!!!  No problem with the new shoes either. 

BTW:  I am a shutter bug, a hobby, amateur photography.  My husband got a GoPro camera for me for X-mas AND I took some photos/video during my walk breaks and a few during my running .......... CRAZY!  I have used it during my harley rides and of course, our 'babysiting' time with the grandbaby ...... she is soo funny when she stays up waaaay past her bedtime, haha!    No 'curfew" with grandma and poppa!   

Will see if I can post a couple of them ...........

So, it's RECOVER time for me, will run Wed, then have to fly out of town on business for a few days ............... searching for my next race and I will give it more time to train, would prefer a trail HM though ..........lol!!  February is right around the corner............

CONGRATS to everyone else who ran!! 

I ran the Hot Chocolate 5K in Dallas this morning with a wind chill of 25 and loved it!  I wore shorts, ls tech shirt, ss tech shirt over, Hot Chocolate wind jacket, knit cap, and gloves.  This was only my second race.  The first one had 290 5Kers.  This one had 6400 registered!  Guess I over-hydrated or it was really cold because I hit the first portapotty at 1 mile.  I jogged all the first mile, about 2/3s the second, and about 1/2 the third.  There were a couple of steep hills that challenged me.  There was gharidelli? chocolate at the finish line and hot cocoa and choc fondue inside the after race party building.  There were another 4800 registered for the 15K so this was a huge event and very intimidating.  Heck, they're all intimidating, but I'm having fun and plan on sticking with one a month if possible.  Anyone going to one of these mega events should plan on arriving 2 hrs early for a stress free good time!