Esprit de She 5K

This is how we hydrate!
After last week’s hot, humid 5K I decided to give it another shot at evening racing and was thrilled that the temperature was nearly 20 degrees cooler but still humid, yuck L Since we were both coming off injury and both of our husband’s were home, my friend GacGirl and I met early for a pre-race glass of wine J Why not? I knew racing was out of the question and after I ran into a friend/co-worker who is a sub 3 hour marathoner on the way I knew I had no chance of winning. Got to love speedy Midwest runners, this race was won 6-7 minutes faster than any other Esprit de She race across the US!
Me in the pink!

I had falsely thought this would be a flat course, wow was I wrong! Hills and 5Ks are not a good combination when you have just been cleared to start speedwork. I lined up at the front and ran into a couple college friends, it was great to catch up while we waited (an extra 15 minutes) for race start. We were finally off and I decided to push the first (flattest) mile and back off as the race went (dumb strategy but when you are only using it for speedwork training take advantage of the easier part).
Love seeing my sorority girls!
Mile 1: 6:58 Nice, but here come the hills. The course wove through neighborhood streets, past parks and streams. It was great seeing so many people out in their yards cheering. It continues hill after hill and finally to the turn around, I grab a sip of water and go. On the way back I keep my eyes out for the many other runners I know on the course and cheer them on as we pass.

Mile 2: 7:30 Yep, knew those hills would get the best of me! It’s okay my leg is pain free and the shoes are feeling great. Just keep running, push when you can and back off when needed. More hills and yikes, I didn’t realize how humid it was! I see final turn and the finish line! Oops guess I missed the Mile 3 marker. I give the final push and am done! Just under 22:00 ( I once again forgot to stop my watch and looked after grabbing water when I saw 22:09. Not bad for just being back to real running. Best part, No Pain! J
KT Tape love!
I talked to my speedy friend who took 2nd in 16 something, impressive! And waited for other friends to finish before changing shirts and enjoying the fun post-race. We hit Athleta to spend my gift card then grabbed our post-race wine, yes wine and not beer. This was perfect J There was also yoga outside, music and food. It was a fun event and great night to be out, the businesses did a great job of making things fun and not too crazy with the crowds. I am looking forward to running the 10K in our other local Esprit de She in September, but hope to race next time!

Do you race for fun? Or is it always about trying to PR?


Have a great weekend and stay active. Did you win the Drenched 5K giveaway

Comments

  1. 16 something?! WOAH! I'm with you- hills kill my speed in a 5k. But great job! And it sounds really fun. I enjoyed the Esprit de She in Houston a few months ago!

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    1. The winner came in at 16:20! There are a lot of speedy women runners around here, it is crazy! These races are great and I think they encouraged runners of all levels :)

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  2. Great recap! Sounds like a fun event. I was registered but unable to go.

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  3. Great job Jen! I am soooo glad you have no more leg pain!!! I almost always run for fun! That way when the PR happens I'm taken by surprise lol!

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    1. Thanks Mindy, it is so nice to be pain free again :)

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  4. That looks like my kind of hydration in that picture up top! Great job!

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    1. Me too! First time I tried it pre-race, why not? ;)

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  5. Yay for no leg pain and a speedy 5k! Love that picture of you at the start!
    I usually enter trail races and they are mostly for fun as the timing is way different. Entered a 5k road race a couple of weeks ago though and PR'ed!

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    1. Trail running is so different, I love the laid back nature of running trails :)

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  6. I find myself always trying to PR which I really really need to stop. I'm hoping training for MCM with the long distances will help me with that!

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    1. It is tough not to try for the PR, good luck with MCM training.

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  7. Speedy Midwestern girls for sure! 16 something? Yowza! The race sounds like a blast. Wine afterwards to celebrate? Yes please!

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    1. I know, I've never found wine after a race, so much happier than with beer :)

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  8. Never did an evening race before, seems fun. I've only done a few races, none of which were the same distance, so I haven't needed to worry about PRing yet.

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    1. Evening races can be tough with eating, but usually fun :)

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  9. 22mins on a hilly course, girl that's awesome! could you imagine if it was a fast flat course you would have def got a sub 20 time. Well done, even if you don't think so. I think that's an awesome time.
    And yay for no leg pain, another win.

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  10. Nice work! I've really only run two races so far so technically, every race has been a PR. But as I run a few more, I'm hoping I can find a good balance between running for run and running for good times.

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    1. The balance is tough at times but try to make it a priority and enjoy the run.

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  11. Wow great job. You are fast!!

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  12. Wow that is great. I wish I could do that well, coming back form an injury. I try to run my races for PR, but lately my running has been off.

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    1. Sorry your running has been off, it does get tough to not be where you want to be.

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  13. Was this the one in Edina? How did I not know you were a Minnesotan??

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  14. What a great event! I wish esprit de she would come to Cinci!

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    1. It was a fun, laid back event and really aimed at getting women of all levels involved :)

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  15. New follower here from Jill @ Fitness, Health and Happiness blog hop! Follow back at PUSH PULL Grind

    https://www.facebook.com/pages/Push-Pull-Grind/111572622362424

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  16. I am doing this race in my city too! Except here it is a run, bike, run. I'm not exactly a cyclist, but I know it's going to be *really* fun! We have a great group from MRTT representing!

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