Saturday, April 10, 2010

A Race Report And A PR In My Own Mind!

Yesterday was Friday and it was a day of over indulgence in terms of my diet!! I am getting sick just thinking about it:( I have a new manager at work and he wanted to get the entire department together so we decided to do a potluck. Yea, you know....where everyone brings food that looks so good but maybe you wouldn't normally eat. I am still cursing my co-worker Laura for bringing those damn freaking chocolate brownies!! Anyway, let's just say I ate a crappy lunch. My daughter started her spring basketball league and there was a welcome party at one of her teammate's house last night. Yep, you guessed it...potluck again. This was a little different because it was a backyard BBQ. I am telling you that my hotdog tasted fabulous:) I ate some more of the normal potluck food and had a glass of red wine! I totally caved under the peer pressure:) I am a stupid woman!! I got up this morning at 5:30 AM to take a shower and get ready for my first official 10k of the season. I drove to Golden Valley by myself. I was a loner today...my family decided to sleep in and let me fend for myself. I got there and walked right in and made my way to the pre-registered table to pick up my bib and t-shirt. Number 92...hmmm, I wonder if this is going to be lucky number 92? I pinned my bib to my running pants and walked to the bathroom...the first of about five times before the race started:( Let me just say that it was going to be that kind of day, if you know what I mean!! It totally sucked to be me today!!

I went back to my van and pulled my hair back into a pony tail and put on my running visor. I sat in my van for a few minutes but wanted to make it to the rest room one more time before the race started. The 5k people were already standing by the start line. I made it back and was able to watch the start of the 5k. As soon as the runners all made their way past the start line all of the 10k people slowly made the way to the start line too.

This was about ten minutes before the start. Here is a picture of the people standing behind me.

This was my view of the people in front of me. I was trying to chat with people to see what type of pace they were planning on running. I met this really nice thirty-three year old woman who told me she was going to try to run a seven minute mile pace. Yea, that wasn't going to work for me:( I then saw two women who looked like they were in their late 40's to early 50's. I asked them what pace they were going to run. They said 7:30 to 8:00 and I thought maybe I could keep them in my sight and shoot to run faster than my training 8:30 pace. I really don't know how long it took me to make it up to the start but it was here that I really wished we were chip timed. I just kept on thinking of the seconds that were ticking away as we shuffled up and ahead. I started my Garmin and ran right behind the ladies. Wowzer, did they start fast!! Okay, I guess I started out fast too because I was trying to keep up with these speedy chicks! I felt like I was going way out of my comfort zone! Mile one 7:15....WTH!! These ladies kicked my butt:) I had to slow down because my breathing was out of control. I was gasping for air and something was off. The start of mile two had some hills and I was so thrilled to be making my way up them. Just kidding...they sucked! It was at mile two where my stomach started to act up and my GI system decided to have a little fun with me. One thing that I didn't mention earlier was my last trip to the rest room included me grabbing a handful of TP. I was desperately looking for a place where I could pull over. My eyes scanned for a tree, bush or fence! God, just give me something..please!! I had to run for maybe 400 meters before I spotted a huge pine tree. I have never been so excited to see a pine tree in my life!!! I ran behind the pine tree. I really have no idea how long I was there. I was just hoping that no one was attempting to take a peek:) I was also praying that the owners of that nice big pine tree were not looking out of any of their windows during my little visit. I am now back in the race and really still struggling to keep my breathing regulated. This race was not feeling the greatest so far. Every time I looked down at my Garmin it was around 8:20 to 8:30. It was at mile four where there was a water stop. I grabbed two cups of water sucking them both down. I was so thirsty that I went back for one more. This is my own fault, I should of never ate like crap the day before a race or drank wine!!! Like I said, I am a stupid woman. I started to slowly jog and get my pace up to something respectable. Mile five was terrible because there was a very steep hill that wrapped around a parkway!! Oh my God, just flipping shoot me now!! Once I got up the hill I was totally out of breath again. I was telling myself that I just had a mile left and to suck it up and try to move faster. Where and the hell is Denny when I need him? Denny is my new runner dad who would of helped me to move my ass and finish strong! I was thinking that if he were there he would run faster and I would try like hell to keep up with him. I looked ahead of me...a few men and two younger twenty something girls. I passed the two girls and just kept on trying to get closer to the guys. Little by little I inched closer and closer. I pass guy number one!! I started to hear people cheering and a flit of joy bounced in my heart!! Thank you God!! This means that the finish line is coming and I will be done with this race! I turned the corner and started sprinting...I passed guy number two and kept on running as fast as my legs would take me. Right before the finish line there were six freaking walkers from the 5k in my way!!! There were two shoots, one for the 5k runners and walkers and the other for the 10k people! Excuse me runner coming through...you need to move out of the way!!! I had to run around them to make it into my finish shoot!! This made me so crabby!! I think it is great that people are getting out and walking but someone needs to explain to the walkers how things work during timed races where people are attempting to run fast and possibly PR! My official time was 52:37 which is 11 seconds longer than my first 10k last summer. I ran my first and only 10k around Lake Nokomis in Minneapolis last summer. That course was a dream compared to this one!!It is flat and fast!! So here is what I am thinking...in my own mind I think I PRd! I unofficially PRd because of the visit with the pine tree, the date with all of the hills, the little walk around the water table, the seconds that ticked away before I actually started, and the Homer walkers who got in my way:) This race sucked, I felt terrible during every part of it until the end! I am going to chalk this race up as character building and move on:) It is sort of funny now when I think about it!! I took fifth place for my age group and guess what my official pace was...8:30...shocker I know:) I am going to run the Bolder Dash 10k again this year on that beautiful flat and fast course!! I am going to seek redemtion and flipping PR...I promise you and I promise myself!!


After all of that I am still smiling:)

My daughter Kay wanted me to post this picture because she thinks that I am like this most of the time. She said that I look super dorky here and you can see my man arms:) I hope that everyone enjoys the rest of their weekends!! Happy running and keep smiling:)

Speedo Steve is hosting a Ryder Eyewear and Sugois Big-O-Bago giveaway!

Molly is hosting a Green Super-food Whole Food Energy Bars giveaway!


MCM Mamma is hosting a Gu giveaway!

Molly is hosting a Vitalicious Vita-tops chocolate yummy things giveaway!

Tara is hosting a Ryder eyewear giveaway!

Marcia is hosting a Chia Seeds giveaway!

Angie is hosting a Nuun giveaway!

50 comments:

  1. great RR Julie! Sorry about the GI issues ... we have all been there and know that feeling )-:

    That 8:30 pace was probably more like an 8:i5ish if you take out the stops.

    I'd be crabby about the walkers in the way too. It amazes me how many people have no idea what is going on around them ... very selfish!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I think your arms look great lady! So sorry your race left so much to be desired. Your attitude is wonderful though. Here's to keep moving forward! Cheers!

    ReplyDelete
  3. You got a "need to stop and use the Pine tree" PR, Julie - ain't that beat all!! You totally crack me up - you DO need to hop on a plane and get your butt over to Boston so that you can get my mind off the tast at hand...and help bring me in the last few miles (which is virtually impossible in this race! :( ). When I ran the Big Sur Marathon, you start 26 miles from the end. You take off and run. At mile 5, you encounter the 21-milers. At mile 13, you encounter the halves. At mile 20 you get the 10Kers....and I am here to tell you that the race got more crowded at the end, instead of thining out - AND they all walked like 5-8 abreast. Absolutely drove me bonkers!! I think you and I should petition for a single file walk lane, off to one side, for all races. In with me???

    You did great, girl. I think the 7:15 start tripped you up at the end but hey, we all gotta do those now and then so we learn NOT to do them :).

    HUGS!!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Good job running through all of that! I would consider it a PR too, with all of your troubles AND the hills!!

    PS - love your shirt, Im wearing the same one tomorrow :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Sounds like a really tough race but you finished it and you finished it strong, well done!

    ReplyDelete
  6. What an ummm... experience. I had GI issues on my last marathon but fortunately I had plenty of porta potty's. Which is good because I didn't see too many pine trees in downtown Columbus, Ohio.

    Congrats on you hilly 10k pr.

    There you go.

    You now have two different 10k pr's. A hilly 10k and a flat 10k.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Julie-
    I hate potlucks they are the worst for me!
    Totally lol "speedy chics"
    You had a nice run...especially given circumstances! I can't believe you did the pine tree move IN A RACE...I'll do it at 5am darkness on a solo training run...but I am now in awe of your race move! hahaha

    Actually seems a good start to some summer races for you with that run, you did good! I'm with Jill - "Pine Tree PR"

    ~D

    ReplyDelete
  8. Grat race recap... good for you... and I love you positive attitude.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Great job getting through this race Julie...and congrats on the PR in your own mind :) Loved reading this recap.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Great job, considering the GI! I think you definitely have a new PR (and will have it for real on your next non-pit-stop 10k!).

    I ran the 5K, and due to a GI issue of my own at home, made it to the start line about 90 seconds before the start.

    Everything after the first mile felt miserable, but I'm happy with the time. :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. UGH!!! Stomach/bathroom issues are my biggest fear!! But I agree with you, I think you PR'd because of all that other, pardon the pun, crap getting in your way.

    have a great sunday!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I think you definitely had a PR with all that crap going on - nice job pushing through!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Walkers have their place...just as long as it isn't in the way! You had quite a race, that is for sure. Good job and yes, you had a PR! Say...can you drop me an e-mail (runningonmytimemail (at) gmail dot com?

    ReplyDelete
  14. Great run. A hilly course, GI issues, and early in the season. Nice work. Also, very entertaining race report.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I agree that walkers need to know their place. Coming from a slow runner...I know how important it is not to be in people's way. I give anyone who is out there credit and I believe the roads are for everyone...but you are so right...it really sucks when they get in your way, especially if it is only seconds!!!

    And girl, I can rationalize anything into a PR so I am all for you calling it one!!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Races like this are so frustrating but they do TEACH us something in the end, right?!?? I am the queen of potty problems and I never know when or where these issues will arise in a race and they haven't improved with experience, even if I try to go 100 times before I start. I HATE IT!!! I also like racing off too fast at the start and usually wind up dying too...but hey, you finished and you're smiling! Good job, on to the next one! :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Sorry to hear the race did not go so well but it was a great recap. Now you know you could easily PR your next 10K!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Hi Julie-


    It's got to be pretty encouraging and frustrating to be so close to a PR despite all the, um, challenges. Thanks for your race report.

    Every week I try and get as many race reports I can find and link them over on the Minnesota Distance Running Assoication blog (http://runminnesota.blogspot.com). So I added yours this morning. Nice job again, and I'll see you at the races.

    ReplyDelete
  19. I like your attitude. You most certainly are going to run faster during your next 10K. I've never had to stop and find a tree during a race, but I can imagine how frustrating it is to have to do that, and how tough to get back into the race. And the walkers at the end of the race, ah, what a mess. I say at least an 8-8:15 for you during the next 10K.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Nice work finishing it out! You and you alone are the only person who can decide if it was a PR. But, for the record, I totally agree with you that this one deserves it!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Well this will certainly be a race that you will not forget any time soon. But you will get that pr. Yeah, I feel your pain with the walkers. My recent 10K in Mobile had the bob and weave thing at the end of the race, NOT fun. Walkers - please respect the pr thing even if you don't get it.

    ReplyDelete
  22. great job on your character building race.

    and i love the photos at the end. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  23. Way to rally at the end! Especially after the bathroom issues--you rock. And I think it definitely counts as a PR. (and I hate starting too fast--totally comes back to haunt you!)

    ReplyDelete
  24. Just FYI, you are precious, you and your awesome time suck (aka: I mean you are amazing) despite the bathroom issues (seriously?! You rocked that time despite having issues?! You are awesome!!!) and I think you had a fab run. Everyone deserves some wine now and again. :)

    Good for you!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Sorry to hear you did not have such an an easy race. I think you did well and rocked it! It's ok to indulge in different foods, but moderation is key. Know you know what doesn't work for the next race.

    ReplyDelete
  26. sorry to hear about your issues! :-/ guess you know what NOT to eat before a race at least? i have no self-control at potluck things myself!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Great job, especially considering your issues. I definitely agree it was a PR, even if the time didn't reflect it.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Mmmmmm, I LOVE freaking chocolate brownies, too!
    Oh, my dear, I certainly feel your pain and frustration in regard to the GI issues!!! We need more bushes and trees on God's green earth, doggone it! That's why I always wear a Camelbak - it's really full of rolls of TP! LOL! Not only do I love brownies, I love your lovely pink top - very nice.
    Kathleen

    ReplyDelete
  29. I am sure that the next 10K will be the race of your PR. Beautiful pics!!!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Congrats on your 10k and battling it out! And what a bummer about the GI issues; I battle them sometimes and I hate it. I think it is every runner's curse :-)

    Take care and have a great week!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Way to go! Great job!

    You still look so fab at the end!

    ReplyDelete
  32. Great Job Julie.

    It is great to see passion for these races. Makes me want to run 10ks again..... Maybe not.

    If it makes you feel any better, I usually fall of the wagon with food a day or 2 before a race.

    I had lunch at The Nook on Thursday. Yum.

    Your GI issues sound more like nerves.

    Thanks for the shout out on my race this weekend. Didn't go as planned, but I made it home alive.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Great job on your race! These little short ones are SUPPOSED to hurt :-) and that whole thing with the pine tree? That's #26 of "You know you're a runner when" :-D LOL... Great job, again!!

    p.s. Nice man-arms!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Good morning, Julie! I almost forgot - skirt info!!! The skirts I wore this weekend are from Skirt Sports - Gym Girl on Sat and Marathon Girl on Sunday. Gym Girl has light weight shorts underneath which I like but they tend to "ride up" my legs. Marathon Girl has a pair of built in panties underneath which are comfy - I just like to be careful bending down to tie my shoe. If you are interested in trying one of their skirts, www.sierratradingpost.com has the Marathon Girl on clearance (probably a previous year model). I sized up to a medium in the Marathon Girl just to make sure I had enough panty coverage for my booty! LOL! The cut of the small skirt was probably a better fit.
    I am getting ready to try one of the Running Girl skirts. Happy skirt shopping! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  35. Congrats on your race. You should be so proud of yourself for sticking with it based on all the GI problems you had. GI issues just suck!

    ReplyDelete
  36. ...a flit of joy... That's it, I will always ensure I am behind you in a race. I don't care if you take a ten minute potty break, I'll wait!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Nice RR Julie. After the race you had the pace was pretty darn good. Sounds like you still managed to enjoy it in any way. :)

    ReplyDelete
  38. Great photo of you and I enjoyed reading your race report (as did a lot of people - that's a lot of comments!)

    ReplyDelete
  39. Hello! Of course you PR'd? All that traffic and pit-stopping is way more than 10 seconds...so yes, I think you did great Julie!

    I loved your photo at the end! That is super sweet! Awesome job in your 10K! Woohoo!

    ReplyDelete
  40. Aww...you did well despite all the difficulties. Funny, my last 10k was also just not a good day. I am glad that I finished... and hoping to run another in the near future!

    ReplyDelete
  41. That was a great race report...and you totally PR'd!!!!That is called overcoming obstacles!

    ReplyDelete
  42. Nice job! A 7:15 first mile and a hilly course! You'll crush the next one for sure!

    ReplyDelete
  43. Hi Julie,
    Thanks for the comment on my blog. Goodness, you are a fast runner. I pray to God I don't ever have GI issues during a race. Have to remember the toilet paper idea though just in case :)

    ReplyDelete
  44. I think you saw a very friendly atmosphere near the starting line :) Great race lady Julie and you wrote a beautiful report!
    The white shirt is very nice. I saw that you'll run another race next week. Have nice running drills.

    ReplyDelete
  45. I stumbled on your blog tonight. I just ran my first half marathon this weekend.... but giggled thru most of your post. I was terrified I would need a bathroom..... but I did ok!!!!!!!

    So nice to meet you. Swing by my blog and see the running post that I did today if you have a minute!

    Blessings, Jennifer

    ReplyDelete
  46. My goodness Julie, you always have the cutest pictures!!
    Way to go on your unofficial PR!! An awesome time even with a "bathroom" break!

    ReplyDelete
  47. Sounds like a PR to me! Way to go Julie!

    ReplyDelete
  48. Excellent job on your blog: you've got 50 comments :)
    Good job, on to the next race! :)

    ReplyDelete
  49. Great report. I like the race report. Also you are doing great!!!

    ReplyDelete

 
Free Hit Counter