Saturday, May 22, 2010

The Maple Grove 5K Race Report!

This morning I got up at 5:30 AM to get ready for my first 5k of the season! I ran in the Maple Grove 5K:) My daughter Kay was supposed to run this one with me but she did not. Last night she found out that there would only be six players for today's basketball games. Kay thought that she would not be able to bring her A+ game if she had to get up early and run a 5K. I don't blame her and ended up running solo this morning:) I had originally wanted to sign up for the half marathon but it was filled in late February. There were almost 600 half marathon runners and I had debated if I should run it as a wild renegade runner:) I was so close but chickened out at the last minute.
Look at this beautiful track:) This is my daughter's track....she is lucky to run on this baby every single day! It was just put in last summer and it is perfect! The start and finish of both the 5K and half marathon took place at the 250 meter spot on this track.
I watched the half marathon runners line up and the pacers found their spots. I have really enjoyed running with pacers for the past few half marathons and seeing them is what made me think about sneaking in on the half marathon action:) It was a little cooler this morning but I knew it was going to be humid. I know myself well enough to know that I do not perform well in heat or humidity. Yuck! I decided a 5K would be torture enough!
This picture was taken about 5 minutes before I took my spot on the track. When I was lining up I noticed that there really didn't seem to be very many runners for this distance. I had heard that there was supposed to be around 400 runners. I was thinking maybe there was about 200 of us standing in line. The gun went off and we all shuffled ahead on the track. We were off and running! There were several guys who just started out all gang busters and about 4 woman who passed me in the beginning. I just concentrated on keeping a steady pace and reminded myself that I was running this with a goal of just having a good run. I really didn't care what my time was...as long as it was under 25 minutes:) I was running fast but no too fast....well, that is what I thought. When I saw the 1 mile marker I looked down at my Garmin and it said 6:50!! WTH! I knew that I could do a mile under seven minutes! I had one training run where I attempted to run a fast mile and I think my time was 6:53. I was so excited to see that I was capable of doing a mile under that seven minute mark again! Woo hoo! After the excitement wore off, I said to myself, "Holy crap I better slow down or I am going to waste all of my energy!" Mile two was alright. I slowed down a bit and started to get thirsty. My mouth was dry and I really wanted water. Mile three is where I started to get a little tired. I had two guys pass me but there was never a female runner to pass me throughout the entire 5K! I had my eye on the woman in front of me who was in front of me since the beginning. When I saw her I guessed that she was in my age group. She pulled a little farther ahead of me during that last mile. I could see the football field coming up and I turned onto the road that led to the turnoff to the actual gates that led to the track. This part was up hill and I just kept thinking just make it onto the track and sprint it in! My feet hit that awesome track and it was glorious! God, I miss running on a track! It felt so wonderful under my feet:) I sprinted the last portion in and I felt fast and furious...I felt like I was flying...just like I did in my high school track days:) I felt happy to be running this morning and grateful to get a little time on my beloved track! I crossed the finish line and I smiled. I just ran an awesome 5K race where I felt incredible both physically and mentally! Honestly, that is all that I needed today and I was happy:)

Here are my official stats.....
I placed 20 out of 233!
I placed 5 out of 170 females!
I placed 3 out of 51 for my age group!
Final time 23:50!
This was not a PR for me but I didn't care. I was satisfied with how I ran and bringing home a little bling was nice too:)
I will link in everyone's giveaways tomorrow. Happy running, swimming, biking and lifting! Cheers to all of you!
Jamoosh is hosting a $20 Sombie Runner giftcard!
Jamoosh is hosting a $20 ROADID giftcard!
Jamoosh is hosting a Thorlo Experia Socks giveaway!
Chris is hosting a fabulous Black Diamond Gizmo Headlamp giveaway!
Adam is hosting a Scape Sunscreen and $30 giveaway!

62 comments:

  1. Nice run, Julie! This is the first year that I did not run the MG 1/2 :(
    It's nice to know you were there in my absence :)

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  2. top running julie..you're gethering speed there!
    all good training for your marathon

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  3. Great racing! I love running on the track too it feels so much more effortless than concrete!

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  4. That's good running, well done! 23:50 is fast and 20 out of 233 is awesome! That track is beautiful.

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  5. Dang girl! You did great for just going out to have a fun run! Congrats. That track is primo, wish we had one nearby then i might be more inclined to add in some speedwork more often. Have a great rest of the weekend.

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  6. Great job! That is a beautiful track, you're right. Again, I'm amazed at how much racing you can do!

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  7. Age group podium - woo hoo!

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  8. Wow, super race report. Since my bad knee makes my runs more like a fast walk, I hang on to every word of you posts. I especially liked the part where you hit the track and put it in high gear. Very exciting post today.

    Congrats on the AG podium!

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  9. Congrats on a great race and some nice bling! I'm envious of that awesome track!

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  10. SUPER fast first mile. Dang! Nice job, Julie. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

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  11. Congrats on your podium finish!

    That track is beautiful ... makes me want to go run on it!

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  12. Wow, awesome job! I wish I could run a sub 7 mile atleast once. Right now I'm pretty thrilled when I hit sub 8. I'd be more apt to do track workouts if there was a track like that in my community.

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  13. Congrats on your age group placing...that's really awesome. What a great time too! You are one speedy lady :)

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  14. You are a running machine! Congrats on your time and placing in your AG. That track looks new, nice that your daughter gets to run there. Have a great week!

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  15. great job Speedy! That's cool you got to get on that track!

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  16. Great race!! Nice bling.

    Hey, are you for really reals running the WI half in August? I'm trying to decide. I'll be there that weekend anyways.

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  17. wow Julie great time! I think you would do awesome in a half!

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  18. The stats say: Julie is a top runner! Congrats and as usual great pics.
    Another medal on the wall!!!

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  19. Great job on the 5k! That track looks awesome.

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  20. Great job Julie!! Nice bling and great track! Jealous!

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  21. Nice job. Hopefully that smokin first mile didn't hurt so much near the end.

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  22. Awesome job! Awesome stats! Glad you feel so great about it because you should - impressive.

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  23. Congrats on your 1 mile PR! You are having amazing races lately, you will do great in your marathon!!

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  24. Great final time 23:50, but it's important that during the race "you felt like you was flying". In other words, you felt good :)

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  25. I just love reading all of your race reports. I can't wait to get back to racing. I am slowly working on my base and then I will be back at it. Can't wait to suffer through some hot 5ks this summer. Thanks for helping to keep my excitement up.

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  26. Congrats on the awesome 5K, Julie!! You are speedy. And, the track looks pristine!

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  27. Congrats on a great race! You are speedy!

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  28. Great race, Julie!! Congrats on your podium finish!!!!

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  29. Woohoo! Awesome job! Congrats on getting 3rd in your AG...that's just awesome! :)

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  30. This is amazing!! Congrats to you girl! You are already doing some fantastic things this year and its still just the spring!

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  31. Way to go!!! You are speedy! That does look like a gorgeous track :)

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  32. Great race Julie!

    I saw your comment about winning your giveaway, SO excited! I emailed you the other day my information, not sure why you haven't received it. I sent it again. Let me know if for some reason you don't get it again. Thank you so much!

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  33. Way to go Julie! You're having a heck of a racing season.

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  34. Julie Julie-Lookin' great as always! Holy speedy-6:50! Nice!! Great job-5/170 ROCKSTAR!! I'm back reading all your posts here. Been a little absent lately but so fun to catch up!! Take care!

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  35. Great run...Nice placement!
    -D

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  36. Way to go!!!! That is AWESOME, good job Julie :)

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  37. Way to go!! Holy cow you are fast. Sounds like it was a nice race.

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  38. OK-still backreading here! Twin Cities Marathon-Woohoo!! I will be running that as well but with a friend! It is a GREAT race! I'm so excited for you and can't wait to follow your training! I think the B.A.A. rookie plan is a pretty good one (on the Boston website). I haven't used it but I have a friend who has and I like the options with the mileage! Best of luck to you!!

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  39. Great job Julie! Very fast... keep up the great work! And hardware too!

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  40. What a great way to kick start the day! Woo hoo!!!

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  41. Your such a rockstar, congrats on the poduim finish!!

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  42. Your running has been amazing! Another great one in the books- congrats!!!

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  43. Great run and report. Congrats on placing!!

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  44. Awesome job Julie! You are so fast! I wanted to run this one but I was out of town for the weekend! Is your daughter at MGSH? I will be student teaching there next fall :-)

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  45. Holy crap you are speedy! Congrats on your 5k Julie, that's awesome!

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  46. Great job! You are such a Speed Racer!

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  47. congrats on a great race! you came in under 25 by a lot and placed well for females and your ag! :) your daughter is wise to focus 100% on her sport... i tend to try to "do it all"

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  48. I haven't run on a track for a long time - after reading your report you make me want to go run on a track! :)

    I like 5Ks because they make me feel like I can actually run fast! I just don't have endurance on the long runs like I need to. I probably just need to train more!

    So exciting that you signed up for a marathon! Good for you!

    Have a good night Julie and thanks for always stopping by!

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  49. Holy cow. Great job on the 5k! Amazing time, great AG and female placing, just great great great! And it sounds like you ran a pretty smart race too. :)

    Thanks for the comments and congrats on my marathon. It meant so much to have so many well wishes on my blog after the race. :)

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  50. NICE WORK on the AG award! Sometimes not getting a PR is OK when you can bring home something like that!

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  51. Wow, that is a great time!! Congrats on being the 5th female overall! That is awesome :)

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  52. Wow! 6:50 first mile?! That's some speed! Congrats to you! 3rd in AG is amazing and 5th overall is really awesome too! Congrats on running such a great race! And you're right, that track really does look amazing. It makes me want to go home, get my racing flats and join you for quick fast lap or two around. Haha! Have a great week!

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  53. Okay. Here I am trying desparately to get caught up reading my buddy's blogs! Argh!

    Great race Julie! Way to get it done! I find it ironic that race season is just starting for you guys as it is winding down here. Pretty much, racing doesn't happen during July and August becuase of the heat.

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  54. Look at that fresh track, it looks so inviting!
    GREAT JOB CHAMP! Your times and placements are amazing! I think you deserve a present for those :)!!!

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  55. Good luck with your Marathon Julie. I did my first 2years ago aged 52. It wasn't pretty but I finished. Have since completed 3 ulta marathons and in August I am going to attempt a 100km ultra.
    cheers ,Karen in Australia.

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  56. Wow! You're speedy! Great race report, as always! That looks like a great track - your daughter is lucky she gets to train on that.

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  57. Geez you are in good shape! I can't even imagine what it would be like to come in 20th out of over 200 people. Awesome race! :-D

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  58. Yay, Julie! Great race- Loving the experience afterwards is always such a nice bonus, too.

    Aren't AG awards fun?

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  59. Great job on your 5K! How much fun to feel like you are flying on the track. I'm behind on my reading so I am just now seeing that you signed up for the TCM. Congrats! Since I'm doing NYC Marathon a month later, I can't do that one. I'll try to get in the TC 10 mile and if I don't get in, I'll volunteer to work the marathon. So either way, I'll be there cheering for you. Yeah!

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  60. I placed 20 out of 233! Nice!
    I placed 5 out of 170 females! Nicer!!
    I placed 3 out of 51 for my age group! Nicest!!!
    Final time 23:50! Great job, especially the first mile of 6:50. I would have crashed and burned after that first mile. Way to slow it down and still be fast enough to finish strong. I missed you in "Bloggerland," by the way

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