Saturday, January 1, 2011

The Team Ortho Polar Dash 5K Race Report!

God, there is nothing like getting up on a New Years day in the freaking cold and running a race! This morning I ran in the Team Ortho Polar Dash 5K. I thought that I had signed up to run the 10K. When I opened up my race packet and pulled out my bib it had a 5K printed on it:) All I am going to say is....blessing in disguise!!!! Your blogger friend Julie is so out of shape! Good Lord, remind me never to take a full month off of running...ever again:) I mean it!


Mr. Julie was kind enough to drop me off and as soon as I got there I headed to the warming tents. It was packed and I had to wait a few minutes before I actually made it inside! Holy cow, it was so cold! My toes felt like they were going to fall off! Brr!



When there was about five minutes to the start many of us started walking to the start line.


This is where I decided to start. The pacers were actually for the 10K runners but I would be able to run with this guy for at least a mile and a half or so. I am so out of shape and have not run one single mile in over a month! I knew it was going to be ugly....it was:)

I ran into Mike who is my blogger buddy Beth's hubby:) They are heading off to Florida to run in the Goofy races next weekend. Mike is a super fast runner who was taking it easy because of running next week. Beth, I am so sorry that I missed you! Hope to see you soon:)

I stayed with my pacer for most of the first half of my race. I was okay in the beginning but the farther I ran the more terrible I felt! So many random thoughts bounced through my head. Why and the hell did you not run once during this last month? Are you stupid? Surely you knew this would really suck! God this sucks! Who's idea was it to drink three glasses of champagne last night? Umm, your's...remember...you thought that since the race was at 11AM you would have nothing to worry about. Whatever!


Damn, where is the turn around? It is a good thing I didn't run in the 10K:) This sucks bad enough! Do you remember when six miles seemed like nothing? Hell, do you remember when 3.1 miles seemed like nothing? Are you stupid? Man, I should of put myself with the nine minute pacer. Just suck it up and run!

Thank God! Turn around and mostly down hill:) Slow and easy pace...no sprinting involved today. Just keep moving...one foot in front of the other. Oh crap, a woman is passing me! It is okay...she is way younger, fitter, faster and looks like a freaking rock star! Next year no drinking!!! Next year there will be no freaking month long running break!

I survived! It was an ugly race but I am glad I ran! Yes, I know I look like crap...I felt like it too! I think tomorrow I am going to run six miles...slower pace:)






Walking back to my car with hot chocolate. It is the little things in life that make running a 5K in Minnesota during the month of January worth it:)
Here are my official race stats....

Final time 25:54, 8:20 per mile.

I placed 81 out of 972 total runners.

I placed 18 out of 614 female runners.

I placed 4 out of 92 in my age group.

Happy running, biking, swimming, lifting and surfing! Cheers to you all!

Wishing you and your families a wonderful New Year:)

67 comments:

  1. WTG Julie!!! You did great. It was a brutal brutal race. And the hills!!!!! One of these days we will see each other at a race. ha!

    Happy New Year!

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  2. You hardly look like crap:) That's a really stinkin' good time for that weather and not running for a month!! Nice work! I laughed out loud at least 3 times in this post!! I ran a preplanned 5 mile with my dad last year after about 15 glasses of champagne. I feel your pain-ha! See you at TCM!!!

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  3. Great job! I'd kill to get that pace...but it would kill me. lol. I've been off for a week and need to get myself in gear. Happy new year!

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  4. Great job out there! Have you figured out some of your key races this year? Planning to join me on the trails this year?!!

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  5. Julie - Awesome way to start the new year. I thought about running a new years dash this morning but just didn't have it in me. I let the cold keep me from going. I did spend 1+ hour on the bike trainer and then went for a 2 mile walk with the dog. So although I started the year backing out of a run - I did get some good exercise in to start the year.

    Way to go!

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  6. Happy New Year! Good for you for getting out there and racing today! Have a good running year.

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  7. First of all, you DO NOT look like crap at all!! You are totally hard core for getting out there in the cold and running the 5k! I was kind of laughing at all the people wrapped up in balaclavas and scarves. It must have been freezing!!

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  8. Wow, that looks cold!!! BRRRRRRRRRR!!!

    Congrats on taking 4th and Happy New Years!!!

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  9. I ran a 5K today, too, except in shorts - temps were in the 50s in Boston, crazy, crazy weather. I say you ran an awesome time for not having done any training in one month! Congrats! And you always look so well in your pics. You should see mine:)

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  10. What was the temperature? Your time was great! I think after all your races in 2010 you deserved a month off! Happy New Year Julie!

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  11. You are one speedy lady! Happy New Year Julie! :)

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  12. For not running at all in the past month, you sure were speedy in those frigid temps! Great work!

    Hey, one of my running buddies here in SF is doing the Goofy races next weekend, too! I totally think we should do it next year!! As long as we don't "race" them, we could totally do it without dying, don't you think??? (Please try to forget about the fact you haven't run in a month...). Really, I think it would be fun!!

    Great job & happy new year!! xoxo
    A

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  13. Great race (even if it didn't seem like it to you)!! Way to start out the new year with a bang :) It was so cold this morning, way to tough it out! Theres no way I would have made it there today if I had signed up...in central mn (where I was coming from) it was white-out conditions. no fun!

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  14. Holy Guacamole you almost placed in your A.G. without running for a month. I hate people like you :-)

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  15. I'm sorry that I didn't get to see you but glad that you saw Mike. I love your hat!! You had a great race- 4th! Geez! I'm sorry that you didn't feel the greatest but you did run really fast. What is your next race? I'm out for a bit after the Disney as I'll be having my second surgery, but hopefully will be racing again in March. Happy New Year!

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  16. Brr! That looks so cold! Happy new year to you sweetie, swift feet and fast races in 2011!!! Cheers!

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  17. Free hot chocolate after the race? Sounds worth it to me! Good job =)

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  18. That really looks cold, blessings in disguise for sure! Maybe not your best run but still a good running experience. I would love to do just one run in conditions like that one day.

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  19. Out of shape: 25'54", 81 of 972, 18 of 614 and 4 of 92. And if you were in shape?
    It looks like a very cold morning....really Polar.
    Happy new year full of PB.

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  20. I wouldn't mind a cup of that hot chocolate considering the "polar" cold :)
    beautiful report!

    Great race, Julie and congrats on taking 4th!
    May you have a wonderful running new year!

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  21. Julie, Congrats on another great race! 4th place AG is wonderful! And, another medal. I hope you have a wonderful 2011.

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  22. In what world does 8:20 pace = out of shape?! lol You're a nut!

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  23. Julie--highly entertaining race report! We've all been there. And look how you pulled it out, regardless! Congrats!

    Happy new year!

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  24. I was cold just going from my car to the club for Spin Class!! Great job getting out there especially after the layoff. HNY!
    Derek

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  25. For someone who hasn't run in a month you have set a pretty good time! Well done!

    It looks so cold!

    Happy new year Julie, look forward to following you in 2011.

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  26. Great race recap Julie. Even though you felt horrible, I have to say you did awesome. Can't wait to see what you can do when you are "back in shape" :)

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  27. and the racing blogger is back! I loved the thoughts part....sounds just like my brain during a race.

    I LOVE starting the new year with a race. It just seems right! Sounds like it gave you perspective and maybe some goals?????

    Love the pic - the 5th from the bottom.
    Minnesota is BRUTAL!

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  28. Hi Julie! HNY!

    I had to grab my blanket when I saw your pics - you are hardcore to be out running in those conditions. I think I might need to go make some hot chocolate now too!

    Great race and awesome recap!

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  29. Great way to start off the year! And NICE placing in the race!

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  30. Doesn't look like a month off hurt your speed too badly - you did great and looked cute too!

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  31. You started 2011 off on a great note, and you did NOT look like crap. : ) I could only WISH for a 8:20 mile! Happy New Year!

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  32. So... how many new buddies did you make in the warming tent :-) and FYI, its totally against my principles to run a race when the snow is packed FOUR FEET TALL!! Happy New Year!!

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  33. You posted a great time despite not running for the last month, celebrating the New Year, and being cautious of the snow and ice (I heard it was slick at the start/finish). Congrats and Happy New Year! I hope I can meet you at the Get Lucky.

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  34. Looks colder there, I was complaining a bit about my New Year's 5k being in 20º weather. You did awesome. Now put down the keyboard and start running more. lol

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  35. Way to go Julie! I was also regretting my drink choices and (week long) break from running on the 1st, but it's great to get out there! You did great considering how you were feeling!

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  36. Julie you are NOT out of shape, I am out of shape!! Hehe. It's ok to take a month off, you'll get it back when it matters. The break may do your body some good!
    Congrats on your race! Looks fun, but freezing there.....brrrr.

    Happy New Year Julie!!

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  37. Crazy, crazy, crazy! You are a crazy woman : )

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  38. Way to go! Our New Year's run got rained out..... crazy weather in Alabama!

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  39. Oh p-u-h-l-e-e-z-e! You look gorgeous, as ALWAYS! You Minnesotans are certainly a hearty bunch - maybe part polar bear??? Congratulations on an awesome result - and not training for a month???!!! You are a natural!
    Best wishes for a fantastic 2011!

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  40. Hey Julie!

    Sorry, I haven't commented in a long time. I have been a slacker with the blogging stuff lately. AMAZING job at the race!!! Awesome results!!!

    I was going to run but decided that I couldn't afford it this year so I volunteered at the race. I was a Course Marshall on the 10k course. I am bummed that I didn't pick the 5k course because I would have yelled and cheered for you when you ran by me!

    Great job again and lets actually meet at a race this year!

    Julie

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  41. Yeah a 5k is kind of a rude "welcome back"! LOL. I was going to ask if you knew Carly since you both wrote decals of this race but then I saw she was the first to comment. Now hurry and schedule a bloggy meetup so I can read about it :)

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  42. Book your flight to N.O. That would be awesome & you would totally enyoy the winter escape. Email me g dufrene 350 at g mail dot com.

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  43. Great finish, especially for being "out of shape" LOL!!

    Thanks for the pics, looks FREEZING.

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  44. Wow, you did so great! So amazing. What a way to kick off the new year. Congratulations to you! Best wishes for a successful 2011! Woohoo :)

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  45. Great Job Julie!! I would love to run that pace but I would die, he he. I wish you and your family a Happy, Healthy, Joyous New Year!!
    And by the way, you look beautiful. :)

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  46. Great job sounds like that race was no joke and from the look of all that snow it looks like you gotta be pretty hardcore to run in your neck of the woods during winter. :)

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  47. great job julie!
    that is an awesome way to start off a new year!
    happy 2011! hope it brings you lots of happiness and lots of great runs~

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  48. 25.54 in the snow, and cold, over what I think is a hard distance to race, and with no training for a month. That's bloomin' good going Julie and certainly better than I could do. And just look at those placings. Figures to be proud of.
    So well done on your flying start to 2011.

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  49. Yay for christmassy races! It looks like a lot of fun, well done :-)

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  50. Congrats on even getting out there, I would have stayed in bed! and your time was great for those conditions (or even w/o those conditions)

    And you look beautiful in that picture!

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  51. just a rocks throw away from an AG podium...not too shabby for being"out of shape" Happy New Year!

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  52. Super job, Julie but it looked cold, as usual. It IS hard to get back into running shape, isn't it!? You'll be back in no time!!

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  53. Happy birthday, happy birthday, happy birthday, happy birthday,Happy birthday, happy birthday, happy birthday, happy birthday,Happy birthday, happy birthday, happy birthday, happy birthday,Happy birthday, happy birthday, happy birthday, happy birthday,Happy birthday, happy birthday, happy birthday, happy birthday,Happy birthday, happy birthday, happy birthday, happy birthday!!!!!!!!!

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  54. Solid race! I would not/will not do a New Year's run. Never appealed to me but bless you for taking it on!

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  55. First off - cute bibs!
    Second - that race looks so fun!!! I've never run in the snow, so I don't know how I would have done, but just overall it looks like a great experience!

    Congrats on placing so high and running so fast - even with your month long break thrown in there!

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  56. Awesome job!
    It looks very cold...but you still look fantastic!!!

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  57. How did I just get here?? Awesome job, sounds like you had an awesome race!

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  58. Just giving a Hey :) Hope all is good!

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  59. Julie - I just tagged you for the Stylish Blogger Award - and I see that you were just recently tagged. Oh well.

    Hope you are having a great 2011. I am still jealous that you got out there on the 1st.

    http://momrunningfromcancer.blogspot.com/2011/01/stylish-blogger-award.html

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  60. Don't beat yourself up - you look great actually and I think we all need a break from running sometimes - mentally AND physically.

    you're back at it and MAN it looks cold out there. Let us know how you get on!

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  61. Hi, I'm a new blogger and I've just found you throught Giorgio's blog!
    Bye!

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  62. Julie - happy new year to you and your family!!

    Awesoem race report and that looked way too cold and great result, you have to be happy with that?

    I can empathise with you as last year I was out getting knee surgery so I was out of all exercise for 2 months and that was really difficult BUT your health is important so please take care of yourself :-)

    cheers,
    Steve

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  63. Hey Julie - just checking in - you doing OK?

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  64. Great job on your run! Hope all is well!

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  65. Wow, has it really been 23 days since your last post!?! I cannot imagine running a 5K race with snow on the ground. My lungs would be screaming to get out of my chest. (what is a brain freeze called if it is in your chest?)

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  66. A fellow Minnesotan- and right in my backyard!! Hey Julie- my name is Maia- my husband and I live in Brooklyn Park. Do you train with others? I'm training for the River Rat Marathon and Fargo this spring. My BFF runner is injured and would love to meet some new running buddies :)

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  67. I don't know how you can do it. I would prefer to be in bed that get up early and run in that kind of weather.

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