Run for Boston 5K Race Recap

23:30.05 - Garmin only measured 2.92

This morning I ran the Run for Boston 5k at the Independence Grove Forest Preserve in Libertyville.  I signed up for the race right away as soon as I found out that 100% of the proceeds go to the Who Says I Can't Foundation to help those that lost limbs a a result of the Boston Marathon bombing.  Also, I was super excited that the race was held in Libertyville, which is the town next to mine.  Yay for local races!  I convinced my parents to run the race too so it became a family affair.

We headed to Independence Grove around 8 and snagged some free parking, which was conveniently located right by the start line.  My dad picked up our packets the day before, but they were also handing them out at the race too.

It was somewhat cold - in the low 60s and it looked like it was going to ran.  I had time to kill so I decided to walk/jog a bit so I could get the blood flowing to my legs.  I did not want to be sore after the race like after the North Shore Half.  That wasn't pretty at all.  Illinois Bone and Joint (a PT place) was out and they lead a pre-race warmup, which was really helpful.   I did a few of the exercises before I decided I was warm enough.

The founder of Who Says I Can't, Jothy Rosenberg was at the race!  He thanked all of us for participating and assured us that our race fees would go to a great cause and help people get back on their feet.  After that, we had a moment of silence for Boston, which was very touching.

And then we were off!  The race was not chip timed, but I still decided to start my Garmin as I crossed the starting line.  The course was basically a big loop through the forest preserve and was ran on the path and not on the trails.

Source

I hate looped courses for several reasons.  First, you can see the other runners ahead of you.  Second, you can see where you are versus where you have to be and it seems so far away.  Third, I like to be surprised, which happens more with point to point courses, I think.

Can you find me?

Mile 1: 8:16:  The start was a little crowded as most race starts are.  I was able to get into the groove once I dodged past slower runners.  I wanted to be conservative with the first mile, but not run it too slow since this race was only a 5K.  I was pleased to see a time in the low 8s, which I haven't seen in ages.

Mile 2: 7:56:  A sub-8 split?!  What?!  Who am I??  Needless to say, I was pleased since I haven't run a mile under 8 minutes in ages as well.  After Mile 1, I tried to hang with two women who looked about my age.  But, they were too speedy for me.  I passed up a few people on the way to Mile 3, but other than that, I was pretty much running alone.  I also kinda wish I had stopped for water at the aid station past mile 1, but again, it is only a 5K so I could do without it.

Trying to keep up :-/

WTF is up with my arms?! :-o

Split for 0.92: 8:13:  We climbed up a bit hill and the finish area was to our left.  However, we had to run around this circle to get back to it.  I was less then pleased.

The bad thing about running with headphones is that you can hear the sound of feet pounding and approaching you.  I had been running alone for quite some time and was like, "Ok, well let's just get it under 24 if you can and not let any other people pass you. If it's a guy, ok, but not a woman."

DOH.  Spoke too soon.  All of a sudden this chick comes up behind me and she is really gunning it.  I mean, like hardcore - good form, wide strides, arms pumping - the whole shebang.  I, on the other hand, am just dragging my ass toward the finish at this point having already exerted myself in the miles prior.

But, in the back of my mind I'm like, "Ha, I have an epic sprint in the bag so as long as I stay close I can reel her in and take her down!"  She must have read my mind because she sped up really fast after I surged a tiny little bit ahead of her.  She had the epic sprint that I was hoping for and finished ahead of me.  Boo.  Oh well, shit happens sometimes, I guess.  I can say that I didn't want to kill it and have that groin pain I had post North Shore Half, but let's face it - I just didn't challenge her because I couldn't.

Where'd that chick go?
Oh, shit, she is way in front of me!  Oh well.

Are we there yet?!

Checking Garmin as per usual

I watched my dad finish the race.  He ended up with a 29:xx.  I then tried to watch my mom finish, but missed it since I overestimated how fast she would run.  After the race, we munched on some great post-race goodies which included bananas, Oreos, pizza and 312 beer.  

Dad in yellow running along

And, I took a picture with the Chicago Running Bloggers!  I definitely saw some familiar faces since I read their blogs.  And, I introduced myself to Pete B (aka The Lakefront Trail) who has commented on my blog before.


Chicago Running Bloggers post-race

Overall, it was an excellent and well-organized race.  I definitely would run it again if they decide to make it a yearly thing.

Belated North Shore Half Marathon Race Recap

1:57:40 (8:59 average pace)

Post race showing off my medal

This race was a course PR since I have never run it before and most importantly, it was the first sub-2 that I've run since the Big Sur Half Marathon back in November 2011.  So, needless to say, I was pleased with my performance and results.

The day, however, did not start out well.  It was cold and it was drizzling.  These are good conditions to run in, but having to wait to run was not fun.  Thankfully the wait was nowhere near as bad as the wait for the Soldier Field 10 Miler.  I only had to wait 9 minutes as opposed to 26 minutes.  My legs were definitely stiff since I wasn't warm.  I really have to do something about this in the future.  Maybe I need to get there earlier so I have time to run around some so I can warm up a bit.  I was also very worried that it'd start to rain harder, but thankfully, the rain held off.

While waiting, I could have sworn that I saw this guy my mom and I chatted with last year after we all ran the 5K.  He was waiting for his "lady friend" to finish the race and he brought his awesome dog with him.  I saw them in my corral for the half.  I wanted to say something since I think he noticed me, but didn't want to be creepy so I left it alone.  I never saw them on the course so I assume that they ran faster than me.

Anyway, I had no expectations going into the race.  The 10 miler went well, but my longest runs haven't gone over that so I didn't know what to expect.  I figured that I'd go for a sub-2 since the weather was good for running.  If all else failed, I really did not want to go over 2:05 and if even worse than that - just sub-10s.

Splits per Garmin:

Miles 1 & 2: 9:28 & 9:02: The first two miles of the course were run through part of downtown Highland Park and by Ravinia.  I recognized some of the paths I ran on when I raced a 10K there in 2011.  This was the same race where an overweight man flew past me on the way to the finish.  My boyfriend was shocked upon finding out that he had finished before me.  Running along that dirt trail brought back memories of him blowing past me, but eh, it happens.  I also ran past Baker Boys and I really wanted to pull off and shove my face with cupcakes.  Alas, a pit stop was not in the cards...

Miles 3, 4 & 5: 9:02, 8:52 & 8:48: Along the way, I saw a woman wearing a shirt that says "Stronger people are harder to kill".  I decided that I didn't want her to finish ahead of me.  (Spoiler alert: she didn't!)  At this point, I also decided that I hate Sheridan Road with a burning passion.  The course had these slight elevation changes that kicked my ass.  The roads were also a little windy so I wasn't sure when we'd get off the elevation and onto some flat roads.  I thought I was going to scream if I saw another incline.  Spoiler alert: there were more of them...

Miles 6 & 7: 8:57 & 9:01: I freaked out when I thought my Garmin wasn't working because evidently I can't read the signs correctly.  I saw the 1 Mile Maker for the 5K and thought it was Mile 6 for me.  My Garmin was way off so I was starting to panic since I've become so dependent on Garmin nowadays.  Thankfully I saw Mile 6 and knew that I was still on pace to go sub-2. 

Also, what genius decided to include a hill on the course after running 7 miles?!?!  That is just wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong!!  I knew it was coming since I'm a 5K vet (2010, 2011 and 2012) and have seen this hill before.  But, I like to block it out since it kicks my ass every single time.  I tried with all my might to slow myself down on the downhill leading up to it, but I could only go so much slower.  I rounded the corner to meet my fate with the mother of all hills.  *BIG SIGH*  I knew that I had to trot up it even if it hurt since walking would cost me a lot of time.  I managed to "run" up the hill at a slower pace of 9:30 so I was pleased.

Mile 8: 9:05: Shockingly enough, the hill didn't slow me down that much.  Nevertheless, I was still desperately seeking some flatter roads.  I knew they would come as soon as I got to Fort Sheridan.

Miles 9 & 10: 8:54 & 8:56: The last split time worried me a little so I tried to speed it up some.  Along the way I saw a man running without shoes.  We ran past a group cheering and they cheered loudly for him.  He had his chip tied around his ankle.  First of all, that's got to hurt.  And second, I don't want a guy without shoes to beat me.  I think I was ahead of him, but I'm not sure.  I saw my dad entering the Fort Sheridan area as I was leaving.  We acknowledged each other and he told me to hurry.  It was nice to see him and get some support.

Miles 11 & 12: 9:02 & 8:59:  My inevitable crap out started around Mile 11 and the course just seemed to keep going and going.  However, I knew that I would break 2 hours even if it took me 20 minutes to run 2.1 miles, which I hoped would not be the case.  I bumped into two guys who were trying to keep their pace at sub-9.  We chatted for a little bit and they said I could try to hang on with them.  I tried, but they surged ahead of me.  Part of me thinks they sped up so I wouldn't chick them.

Mile 13: 8:49 & 0.12 sprint to the finish was completed in 48.30 seconds for a crazy fast pace of 6:37: On the way to the finish, I see J from my marathon training group this summer blow by me.  I was pretty much fading.  I wanted to keep up with him, but there was no use.  I finally saw the mile marker for 13 approaching and then I gunned it to the finish picking off a bunch of people with my trademark epic sprint.  Sub-2 accomplished!

After the race, I bumped into J and another runner from my marathon training group (R) as I was trying to get my finisher picture taken.  I was super excited to see them again so we took pictures together and chatted for a while.  They're both training again this summer with CARA in Libertyville.  J's moving up to the 9:30s, but R is still going to run with the 10:00s, I think.  I was excited to see familiar faces.

R and I post-race!

Unfortunately, it was not my dad's day and he took longer than he intended so I had plenty of time to wait for him.  In retrospect, I should have taken the time to stretch and get warm.

Funny/Cool things I saw while spectating:
- I saw two men finishing the race wearing Running Sucks shirts.  My first thought was to wonder why they are running the race, but I found them more hilarious than anything.  I really want to get one and run the Chicago Marathon wearing it.  But, I think it would be bad mojo... and goodness knows I need all the good mojo I can get for that one.

- Runners in matching outfits finishing the race together.  Tutus always make me smile for some reason.

- Little kids helping their parents run to the finish line & a sprint off between a kid and his dad.  I think the kid won too.


Bottom line: great race and I'd consider running it again (especially if the weather is nice and cool like this year).  The course is pretty and challenging, which made finishing it in under 2 hours feel a lot sweeter.

Post Race Week:

My legs hurt really bad post race.  Normally, they aren't sore and I can do something two days later.  However, it took me a long time to recover.  My legs hurt really bad Tuesday and my right hamstring was spasming - probably because I was dehydrated as well.  Stretching pre or post race and hydrating pre, during and post race unfortunately have never been my fortes and I definitely was paying for it.

So, I decided to enjoy the stress-free life of a runner not training for a marathon.  I decided to blow off the last week entirely and will start up again this week.  I'm using this training program.  In addition, I need to sign up for CARA's marathon training and get an injury screening so I can see what's going on with my legs.

Would someone like to lend me theirs for the summer so I can run the marathon??  I promise I'll give them back to you and I'll try to keep the black toes/ ITB issues to a minimum!

Big Sur Half Marathon Race Recap

The Big Sur Half Marathon is probably my favorite half marathon ever.  First of all, the weather in California in November is PERFECT and far better than the cold in Chicago.  Second, the course is amazing.  I ran this race last year and spent time with my family in Salinas, which is close to the race.

Image Credit  For more information on the race click here.  The course is nice as well - it is fairly flat, but there are some rolling hills, which makes it a bit challenging as well.

My results:

I am so proud of myself for actually finishing this race!  I really was worried that I wouldn't finish because I really have not been training like I should.

I'm still getting over the lazy bug that I developed post-marathon (see post below for more on that).  I ran 2 miles 9 days after the marathon.  I ran 8 miles on November 2nd and then ran only 9.5 miles from November 2nd to November 14th.  I think I ran maybe 3 times and all the runs were on the treadmill during work.  The runs were capped out at 4 miles since that was all I could fit in during my break at work.  I was going to run on Thursday with my dad, but I got super sick after the flight so I rested instead.  I ran 5 miles on the treadmill Friday and it went OK.

However, the course totally kicked my ass.  I dominated it last year and almost got a PR, but that was not the story this year.

First, I violated my rule of not eating too much fiber in the days before the race.  One of my aunts ordered this delicious pasta that was served with a salad with an awesome dressing, which I gobbled up.  I most certainly regretted the fiber choice the following morning.  So yeah, note to self: no high fiber foods before the race!!

I was super worried and nervous before the start since my stomach was churning.  Also, I felt super unprepared for the race.  It's funny because I really didn't feel that nervous for the Chicago Marathon at all.  Then again, I had my running buddy Cindy with me most of the time so I had something to distract me and take my mind off running.

This was not the case with Big Sur.  My dad ran the race as well, but he started way back in Corral J whereas I was up in Corral C.  My goal was simply just to finish.  A PR was definitely not going to happen since I haven't been training for speed.  Also, I've been running half marathons around 2:11 and 2:15 while training for the full.  So, I figured that ever going sub 2 would be a bit of a stretch.  So, I'm happy with the 2:02.

Jim, Dad and I got to Monterey a little bit before 6:00.  We parked the car and walked on over to the McDonalds which is right by the start.  I figured using an indoor bathroom would be better than using an outdoor one.  The McDonalds is always packed and the seats were full, but at least the line to the can was short.  At this point, my stomach was in absolute knots.  Things were not looking good at all.  I love how my stomach and nerves can literally give me the shits.  TMI, I know, but this is what I was dealing with before the race started.  I blame my lazy self for undertraining, but there was really no turning back at that point.

I wanted to go again, but got distacted talking to a group of runners about the Chicago Marathon since I was rocking my shirt.  One of the ladies was originally from Chicago so she got it when I mentioned points I had run to along the marathon course. 

The lines to the bathroom were long and I was cutting it close to 6:45 so I decided to forgo the bathroom and get into my corral.  I was super nervous, cold and trying to do my best not to shit my pants. :(  Not a good way to start off a race whatsoever...

Miles 1 through 4:  These went by OK and I was still running at a sub 9 pace.  We ran through a tunnel that seemed to have a little incline, which killed me big time.  By the time we reached the hill in Pacific Grove I was pretty much dying and wondering why the hell I was even out there.  My lazy bug was tempting me to drop out and go back to bed.  But, I forced myself to keep on running.

Miles 4 to 7:  I pretty much had a shit fit at this point.  Mentally, I just wasn't feeling it and I really wanted to stop.  My body wasn't really hurting - I was just mentally out of it.  At this point, I passed Lovers Point and was running up to the turnaround at Alsolimar State Beach.  Also, I started spotting bathrooms and I was debating whether to use one and lose time or try to hold it through the finish.  There were bathrooms right past 7 miles so I pulled off to use one.  I felt so much better after my short break and returned to the course with some energy.  Also, I decided to take off my headphones and enjoy the atmosphere.  If you listen closely enough, you can hear the waves, which is nice.  The scenery is pretty amazing.

Mile 7 to Mile 11:  My pace slowed from slightly under 9 to around 9:15 - not too bad, I suppose.  I felt much better having taken a break and taken off my headphones.  I willed myself to keep on going and reminded myself to take deep breaths and focus on finishing.

Miles 11 to 13.1:  I lost it again here and slowed down some more.  A woman at Mile 11 yelled out 1:53.  I started 9 minutes back so that put me at 1:44.  I did a little mental math and figured out that a sub 2 would not be happening since there was no way in hell I was going to run 2.1 miles in 16 minutes.  So, I accepted that my run would be over 2 hours.  The 2 hour pace group also caught up to me a little bit past Mile 12.  I knew I had to keep them in my sites and if I finished in front of them that I would be finishing sub 2:03 since they were in the corral behind me.

On the home stretch, I passed the 2 hour pace group leader so I knew I went sub 2:03.  I felt like complete crap afterwards and my lovely stomach decided to act up again, which made me super cranky.  And, Jim decided to wait by the hotel as opposed to in this plaza area where the runners were being filed into after the race so I was not thrilled about having to walk over there.

We waited a bit for my Dad to finish (2:41 for Dad - he struggled @ the end and cramped up in the final stretch) and then went back to Salinas.

If you are looking for an awesome race to do in November, I highly recommend Big Sur!  Oh, and there are no clocks along the way so if you want to know your time, have your watch with you!

Arlington Heights Frontier Days Stampede 5K Race Recap

I really enjoy this race and am beginning to run this yearly.  The course is fast, flat and residential.  It's also very organized and recently implemented chip timing, which is even better.  And, I love how some people who live along the race course will turn their sprinklers on so we can run through them.

I finished in 25:06 which was good enough to get 3rd in my age group.  I won this super cool race themed glass.  My time was disastrous, but thankfully, not my worst time ever.  *WHEW*

Mile 1: I really HATE how the 5k and 10k runners start together.  The start is VERY crowded and it's really hard jockeying for position.  Also, we arrived at the race with about 25 minutes to go.  I really didn't get a chance to warm up since I had to pee prior and the lines were somewhat long.  It was so weird since there was a huge line for all the potties.  Usually, each potty has a line of people.  I found that a little weird. 

Anyway, I couldn't really get into my usual speed on mile one.  In the past races I've done, I get there in around 7:30 and that's me being "conservative".  Today, I got there in 8:18.  Oh shit!  Way too slow!!  So, I immediately revised my goal to running 9 minute miles as opposed to running sub 8:00s and breaking 25.  I really doubted that breaking 25 would be possible with that slow of a start. 

Mile 2: The legs definitely were feeling sore from yesterday's 10 miler.  But, I figured that I could try to make up for lost time.  I tried my best to run with people so I could just drift along with them.  The strategy must have worked since I ran 7:40 for Mile 2.

Mile 2.5 to Mile 3:  The course splits around mile 2.5 and I was so glad that I wasn't running the 10k because I really couldn't deal with that at the moment.  My legs just felt fatigued and I felt fatigued.  My ITB and knee weren't bothering me, but honestly, I was just TIRED.  And, it was starting to get HOT.  And, we all know how much I HATE running in the heat.  Mile 3: 8:07!

Mile 3 to 3.1: We round a corner and I can see the start line in the distance.  For some reason, long straightaways to the finish really just beat me up mentally.  I had no energy whatsoever to sprint it in.  I started to pick it up as the finish line got closer, but I knew that it would not be a sub 25 effort.  I crossed the line a little past 25.  I sighed, shook my head and walked over to the hydration tables to down some water and Gatorade.  Mile 3 to 3.1: 1:01

I definitely am going to move toward the front the next time I run this race.  I lost a lot of time in the beginning jockeying for position and getting stuck behind slow runners.  I think I'd rather try to go a little faster at the beginning to improve on my time.

But hey!  I got a course PR! :)  And, I got 3rd in my age group!  It was so weird because originally, the results showed that I got second, but I checked just now and I was third.  Thankfully, I was third.  Otherwise, I would have to give my glass back!

Great weekend of running and look forward to next week.  I keep saying that I'm not going to race anymore and that my next race is the Chicago Marathon, but who knows what else might pop up along the way.  Besides, I'm just running 5ks so it's not like it's that crazy!

You Always Remember Your First...

In Honor of Father's Day!  He is my Dad's half marathon race recap:

Dad proudly wearing his medal!

After my usual light breakfast of a banana, yogurt, orange juice and coffee at around 05:30, my daughter, my wife and I headed to the race. They were running the 5K race and I was doing my first 13.1. We walked the 3 blocks from the parking lot to the staging area to stretch our legs and to sort of warm up as well. I did a few strides and a slow jug in place to get ready; no need to warm up as there would be plenty of time to do that in 13.1 miles. I got a little apprehensive when I realized that I forgot to take the 60 mg Naproxen pill that would have kept my muscles relaxed so my legs would not cramp up. I would just have to gut it out now, and the temperature has already reached 80 degrees by the time I crossed the start line. "Here it goes!"

I took the first mile at about 10:40, according to the Endomondo app on my iPhone, and I thought that was too fast for me, specially in the sweltering heat. I dropped it to an 'airborne shuffle' at 11:01 on the second mile and kept it around that pace until I hit what I call the "cardiac hill"past mile 5 on Waverly Road. Climbing up that hill on tired legs and a body that seemed to be running out of gas already was just impossible if I were to go the distance. So I walked the remaining 25 feet to the peak until I got to the aid station where I ate my first GU, drank some Gatorade and splashed water on my face.  A few feet after that, I drank from my own water jug; the first of many more to come.

I kept on tracking at just past an 11:00- minute mile pace while singing old Army cadence in my head for another mile or so:
 "C-130 rolling down the strip,
 Airborne daddy's  gonna take a little trip;
 Stand up, hook up, shuffle to the door,
 Jump right out and count to four.
 If my main don't open wide,
 I got another one by my side....", and soon, keeping a nice steady jog, one foot after the other.

 "I can run to Saigon just like this..."

When I passed mile 8, my feet seemed to be on auto-pilot that I could not seem to control, and any sudden change of direction to avoid a car or a crack on the pavement threw my gait off. My breathing was good and my rhythm was fine, but I could sense an early onset of cramping on my left calf muscle. I altered my gait by running on my thighs instead of my feet and kept my pace.

By the time I reached Fort Sheridan and the beginning of a 1.5 mile stretch of straight away road without a tree, I could feel the heat draining every ounce of energy I had in reserve, so much so that when I passed mile 10 my calf muscles were on full cramp mode and my thigh muscles were sending signals that they, too were aching. Amazingly, my feet that were on auto-pilot were not about to slow down.

So after I passed mile 11, I slowed down to virtual crawl for about 100 feet before I dropped to a walk. I walked somewhat sideways, favoring my left leg. I kept thinking of the finish line which was barely over two miles away and kept moving forward while trying to ignore the aches and pain on my feet, legs and shoulders. Got to finish this, no matter what.

After a few more feet, I ate my last GU, took more Gatorade and water, and started drenching my head with water from my own jug. Then I started on a brisk walk that turned into a slow strut and then a steady jog again and kept that up until I passed mile 12.

By this time, my shoulder muscles were really screaming of pain, together with my leg and thigh muscles while my feet felt like they were on fire. But there was no stopping now; not with the finish line almost in plain sight already.

That was when I finally realized what a marathon is all about: a true test of physical fitness and mental fortitude.

I made it to mile 13 on pure will power and not much more, and I simply had to drop to walk once again, out of gas and on dead legs.

Then I saw my wife and daughter who have been waiting for me for about 2 hours since they finished their 5K run. They were less than 100 feet from the finish line and were yelling encouragement for me to finish the race and get my medal. So with that and whatever else I had in the tank, I strutted and shuffled all the way across the finish line and claimed my finisher medal for my first 13.1 mile race. All the pain seemed to have gone away as I walked around eating a banana and gulping water like a very thirsty camel. What a relief!

I still cannot believe that I put every ounce of my 65-year old body through that grueling test and survived it.