Spud Run 5K

I love small local races, especially ones close to home. This race is in the next city and much of the course is on the trails where I do much of my running. Once again, this was less then ideal race conditions: Temps of 70, but 90% humidity and rain coming and for some reason the mosquitoes were awful! Since this was a gun time only race I decided to start right behind the line of guys with the local high school cross country singlets. After a little warm up run, Matt and I got in line as we eyed up the other runners at the front, making guesses on who was out of place and who truly belonged up there.

After Thursday's tough workout my legs were still screaming at me (although a little quieter now), luckily the warm up helped but I knew this combined with my lack of speedwork was not the ideal picture for a 5K, my goal was a better time then I ran at this race 5 years ago (22:40) but Ideally a sub 20.

We were off and as expected many of the front row runners faded quickly except some of the guys one other woman who took off. I figured she was either truly fast or really stupid, I soon found out she could hold her own and fast! Okay, but just keep the others behind you and maintain 2nd place. After Mile 1 she was pulling further ahead and I knew she was out of my reach. And the legs are telling me they are still tired, keep pushing ahead this is only 3 miles. Mile 2 and I was starting to fade, I could hear others behind me and had no idea how many or how close they were, then we turned a corner and I saw only one guy, nice! I finally see the area we started and know the finish is just around the next corner, my sub 20 goal is long gone but I can still beat my last run on this course. I give a last push to the finish and hear "and here comes the 2nd woman" and done 22:00. Good for 2nd woman, 20th overall and 1st age group. I later found out fast girl was young and wins this race every year, her time 19:30.

Soon after I see Matt coming down the road and he crosses for a time of 24:30 48th overall finish. We give O the high fives she's been waiting for and watch the rest of the race as we wait for her race to start.

The kids ran a 1/4 mile race, which I think she doubled in warm up! She ran so much waiting for things to start that she was tired before her race began. But she was thrilled out there running and is now asking for the next race. My little runner.

My 1st place AG finish was good for a medal and a gift certificate to a local running store, yay! Guess it turned out to be a free race for me. I love small local races and need to look for more. I learned I need to be doing more speedwork and my leg is ready.
A giant potato, what could be better?


    












Comments

  1. Rachelle QJune 17, 2012 at 1:47 PM

    Awesome! Great job! Love the smaller races:)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Laura BollJune 17, 2012 at 7:50 PM

    Yay, Jen!! Congrats on first place ag! Running in the heat and humidity is so tough- you had a great run! I'm considering a local 5k July 4th, but remembering that after the last hot one I told myself no more racing in these conditions! So we'll see.... awesome that you got a gift card, too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Coach JenJune 18, 2012 at 6:16 AM

      Thanks Laura :) Summer is tough for racing since you never know what you will get for weather.

      Delete
  3. Angela @ Happy Fit MamaJune 18, 2012 at 7:32 PM

    Great job! Your little one racing is so cute! I think my 2 are on the verge of wanting to enter. They love to run so why not in a race?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Coach JenJune 18, 2012 at 8:06 PM

      Thanks! She has such fun running and it just shows that we are provinding her a good example of fitness. The kid races are so much fun for them :)

      Delete
  4. sea legs girlJune 19, 2012 at 9:58 PM

    That is such a great time in the heat and humidity! Congrats. I love that picture of you running. You look so tough and in shape. And by the way, I'd like to see that young girl beat you when she's a mom!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Coach JenJune 20, 2012 at 7:26 AM

      Thanks Tracy :) By the time that girl is a mom I will be way too old to beat her...lol!

      Delete
  5. Jen @ Mom's Gotta RunJune 25, 2012 at 1:17 PM

    I had a similar race on 6/17 - except I placed 10th in my age group(which is amazing for me). I love local races because it's always easier logistically so no stress about rides and babysitting and parking.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Coach JenJune 26, 2012 at 11:39 AM

      Congrats on the great race! Don't forget not having to get up so early when the race is local :)

      Delete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A few Races...

Image
Stillwater half was my final pre-marathon race. The weather was a mess, hot humid and gross! I ran with the 1:40 pacer to keep a nice pace and actually held myself back the first haf but yikes then we turned to the road and no shade and it all faded! I struggled to keep the "easy" pace as did everyone around me. I was happy to finish just 45 secs behind the pacer 1:40:45 and not too far off my goal of 1:38. That heat was brutal... Photo credit Stillwater Gazette Grandmas Marathon  For those who don't follow me on IG  @marathonmom28  here is the short version... I started great, on pace to PR then I became hypothermic (yes in June) and once the rain started it was painful (thank you Raynaud's). I finally walked off the course between mile 19-20 where Matt met me with dry clothes and a warm car. Grandmas this is strike 3, I think I am done!  I spent the car ride home thinking of next races and wondering if I could jump back in, (dumb I know). As we drove...
Read more

GoMacro Thrive Review and Giveaway!

Image
All runners know that post marathon week(s) are filled with the fight to keep eating healthy yet indulge a little. I try to carry healthy snacks wherever I go to avoid the munchies. Needing gluten free makes finding healthy foods quick even tougher. I have my go to foods but love finding new options with such variety. I think my only complaint is the carb to protein ratio which for each bar is 3 or 4:1. I prefer a snack more along the 2:1 carb to protein ratio. To help this I add a few extra nuts to the bars when I have them for a snack, problem solved! Like all GoMacro products, Thrive are USDA-Certified Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, Kosher, Gluten-Free certified, 100% Vegan, and soy-free. Thrive is currently available to purchase online and will become available to Whole Foods this month! GoMacro is offering 30% off to all my readers with code Thrive30 for online purchases Here The Thrive Bars come in 6 flavors: Caramel Coconut, Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip, Blueberry ...
Read more

Friday Thoughts: PB Cake & a Giveaway

Image
This post is going to match my mind lately as it races from thing to thing… I’m sitting here post-holiday craziness, on the verge of vacation and ready to go! Bell Plantation Peanut Butter Single Serve Cake (Gluten Free) 2 tbsp PB2 1 tsbp water 1 tbsp Almond milk 2 tbsp applesauce ½ tsp baking powder 2 tbsp coconut flour 1 tbsp raisins or choc chips Mix all together and microwave bowl and cook for 2 minutes. And guess what I got so excited after I mixed it up, I never even took a picture of my yummy creation! Any fun snacks you’ve been eating lately? So what else is going through my mind today…This weather sucks and I continue to stalk the forecast for Dopey! Guess what we get on Monday, -50 wind chills!! I thought last weekend was bad, yikes! I can’t wait to be in sun and warmth, I see people complaining about running in upper 70s but I figure I’m not racing so I plan to have fun, enjoy the weather and be happy being warm! Now on top of this we are ...
Read more