Hello all!
You'll be happy to know that not only did I find the race location, show up with ample time before the race, make a new friend, and create a make-shift ponytail hat, but I finished the race in under an hour! If you're a repeat reader, you'll know that I signed up for the Steve Cullen Health Heart Club Run awhile back and was thinking, "8K, pssssh, that's totally doable!" Then it got closer and closer and then it was today! Eeep.
You'll be happy to know that not only did I find the race location, show up with ample time before the race, make a new friend, and create a make-shift ponytail hat, but I finished the race in under an hour! If you're a repeat reader, you'll know that I signed up for the Steve Cullen Health Heart Club Run awhile back and was thinking, "8K, pssssh, that's totally doable!" Then it got closer and closer and then it was today! Eeep.
I practiced my long distance running at my friendly YMCA and did some weight training because I knew there would be hills, but WHOA, this was harder than I thought.
First off, let me tell you that the ponytail hat rocked. It kept my head warm and my hair out of the way. I had a couple of other runners mention it. Whooot! I cheated a bit and instead of sewing around the edges like I mean to do, I just snipped a hole in the back about where my ponytail would be. Wearing it also helped keep my iPod earbud in place (I only race with one in so I can hear other runners). Like I said, it rocked!Second, I didn't train for as long as I should have. While I'd like to blame the signs posted in the Y that say "Usage on all cardio machines is limited to 30 minutes!", I know that it's mostly me going to the Y late at night and saying "2+ miles is long enough." I took my average mile time, added a minute or so and then guessed that I would like to finish in about an hour since an 8K is about 5 miles. Then in a slight panic, I checked out last year's race times to make sure that they kept timing that long (5K events usually cut off between 45 minutes and a hour). Yay for me they time until 1 hour and 20 minutes!
Race day comes and I don my spiffy new hat, layers of shirts, running capri tights and then track pants because IT WAS COLD! The friendly weatherman said the high today was 25 degrees F, which means while I was running in the morning was probably around 20 degrees or less. *shiver*
So I drive over there with plenty of time and park in the WLC lot because it's close and free! This other lady, Suzette, climbs out of her car once she sees that she's not the only one to park there. We become fast friends (no pun intended), and walk to the race together to pick up our snazzy t-shirts, race numbers and assorted goodies from the sponsors and Badgerland Striders who were big supporters of this race.
While we're walking, she's telling me about how her sister-in-law keeps her signing up for races and then backs out so she's so glad to have met me. She's so nice! She's also paranoid that she won't finish the race. Suzette doesn't believe she's a good runner. She's wrong.
We get all settled and head out to the race start line with our music and timing apparatuses (apparati?) and she's freaking out a little. Suzette, if you ever read this, please know that you're awesome. I tried keeping her calm and saying that if we should get separated, she should just try her hardest. The horn goes off and after saying good luck to each other, the woman takes off! Like lightening! The first mile is up hill (boo), and by the first turnaround on Swan Blvd., I say hi to Speedy Suzette and shout out a few encouragements to the really fast people, and then quickly realize that it's me and a bunch of people older than my parents. That's right, I'm running with the AARP crowd. First off, kudos to them because I'm sure when they were my age, they were super fast. Second, they have lots of good tips and aren't afraid to share them with a friendly 26-year-old woman who is trying to not slip on the snow. Gotta love people! Runners are generally a friendly bunch. I think it's the endorphins.
Miles 2-4 are pretty level (map of course), but slippery due to the snow and I only had to jump out of the way of one dude trying to pass another once. The sun was shining, the volunteers were cheerful, and the water stops were perfectly placed. It was a beautiful February morning. After cheering on Suzette as she whipped past me after the second turnaround, I knew I had to pick up the pace or the AARP crowd was really going to show me what for.
Suddenly, my old exercise Boot Camp instructor's voice came in my head. "When you think you can't do any more, do 5 more. When you think you can't hold on any longer, count to 30. When you think you can't go faster, pick up your feet and do it," Sandi said. I listened and soon I was passing people at the end of mile 3. Mile 4 looked easy-peasy until my side-ache hit. "Nooooo!" was my only thought. I hadn't had to slow down at all and I had just passed people. Darn it.
Fortunately, I kept ahead of my AARP crowd with only 1 of them passing me during the uphill mile 4. That last mile was a killer, but when I crossed the finish line and saw my official time overhead, I was such a happy camper! After getting through the alleys at the end of the race, I met up with one of my AARP crowd who told me that he's been running for over 40 years. AWESOME! He was so encouraging, I felt so good about my time. I met up with Suzette in Wil-O-Way building, grabbed some Cullen Family Chili and then we walked back to our cars.
Now, I sit here in bed writing this and waiting for some Advil to kick in. I love running, but perhaps the 5ks are the way to go. That or no more running in snow. We'll see. Either way, it was an exhilarating way to spend a chilly February morning!
Next up: The Blarney Run.
