Saturday, April 24, 2010

Get in Gear 10K...Another PR!

Here we are, race recap time again!! I actually survived three race weekends in a row!! This morning I ran the Get in Gear 10K in Minneapolis. This was my first time doing this race. Last September I ran in the Women Run the Cities 10 mile and it had some of the same running route. Friday evening I drove to Minneapolis to pick up my racing bib and t-shirt. I couldn't believe how packed it was!! My hubby and I went out for dinner:) Don't you worry....there was no wine for me last night! I learned my lesson the hard way:) I went to bed at 10PM and was up this morning at 5AM. I arrived in Minneapolis at about 7:15 AM because I wanted to find a good parking spot. I scored...I parked on Minnehaha Avenue and could see the Porta Pottys from my van:)
This is what it looked like outside! I was really struggling with what to wear for this race. I had a tank top on along with my water proof running jacket. I originally had my Nike shorts on but was feeling a little chilly so I covered up with running pants. I sat in my van for a bit just watching other runners park their cars and make their way to the park. I had my radio on and Bon Jovi's song, Living On A Prayer came on! I couldn't resist....I turned it up and loudly sang along attempting to get pumped up for today's race!

It was about 7:50 when I finally got enough nerve to venture out into the rain. See how excited I look...not so much. Getting out of my van I stepped into a huge puddle of water and basically drenched both of my shoes and socks! Yea, that sucked!! I was sloshing along and praying to God that I wouldn't end up with blisters.


Once I got into the Pavillion I was able to hit the indoor rest room. It is in there where I took off my running pants. They were soaking wet and I thought, screw it...I am wearing my shorts:) I took off my shoes and attempted to dry them out as best as I could. I then checked a few of my things and waited with tons of other people inside the Pavillion.

I am standing in line for one more bathroom break. It is still raining.

This was right before I headed to the start line. I met a nice woman who was running the half marathon and she was kind enough to take my picture:)


This picture was taken at the start line about 10 minutes before the official start. I was telling myself that this was going to be a great race despite the rain:)
As I was taking a few pictures Joe, another Minnesota blogger, asked me if I was Julie. I told him that yes I was and we were able to chat a little before the start. Joe is really nice guy. We both ran in the Golden Valley run a few weeks ago and will be running in the Minneapolis Medtronic 1 mile coming up in May. Once the race started it took some time to move up. The first mile was one of the hardest for me. I did not do a warm-up and my body was cold and wet. I really struggled with my ankles in the beginning...they felt tight and I felt like I pulled something. I was a little worried. It took at least one mile for the people to start to thin out...I always have issues with running so close to other runners. I need my personal space:) I did not look at Garmin until I hit the mile marker because there was a man calling out times. He yelled 8:15...I then remembered It was gun time. I looked at my Garmin and it read 7:32!! I needed to slow down a bit or I would have no energy for the end of the race.

This is the only picture of the race that I took due to the rain. I put my camera in my jacket and hoped that it wouldn't get wet. Miles two and three were okay, my ankles felt better and I was running on my toes again. I caught myself and tried to run by landing on my mid foot but it felt all wrong. I went back to my old form and figured, why fix it if it isn't broken? It was working so I went with it. The course was pretty and would of been better if it wasn't raining. I was already totally soaked. My shorts, jacket, tank and sport bra were wet and cold:( I almost took off my jacket and put it around my waist but I didn't want to waste needed energy. The course did have a few small hills and I found them doable. The 5k mark was our only water stop. I grabbed a water and walked to drink it. I also pulled out a vanilla GU and took one mouthful....note to self....don't purchase this flavor again. I threw it out with my water cup. This next mile, I am pretty darn sure I slowed down a little. At least I felt like I did. I did not look at my Garmin and didn't want to have it mess with my head so I just ran on how I felt. I wanted to focus on maintaining a steady pace and keeping my breathing regulated. At mile five there was another man calling out splits and he yelled, 42:16! I had one mile to go and I knew I could probably push myself to get a PR out of this 10k! I continued to run steady and kept my focus on the girl in front of me wearing the red shorts. She was in my view for the past two miles. I made the turn onto a bridge and I was feeling a little tired. Just keep your feet moving...don't you dare slow down....keep moving.....pick it up a little......suck it up, you can rest after your done! All of these random little thoughts started floating around and I wanted that damn finish line to be in my sight! After I crossed the bridge I turned left and I could see the people in front of me turning right. I knew that the finish line was up ahead. When I made that right turn I picked up the pace! I was running fast! I was running so fast that I was passing people:) I was sprinting and had the energy to kick up my heels! I saw the clock and it said 51 something!! I crossed the finish line taking a few steps and made my way to the left. I needed to grab the fence and balance myself. I caught my breath for a few seconds and said, "Oh crap, I forgot to stop my Garmin again!" I have not once remembered to stop that darn thing after a race!! I looked at my Garmin and it read 50:58! I wondered what my real finish time was! I took at least 1:30 off of my last 10K PR!


Okay, so I went home and checked the official race stats.....

Official time 50:31 @ 8:08 minute mile pace.

I finished 721 out of 3658 total runners.

I finished 170 out of 2040 females.

I finished 30 out of 441 women in my age group.
This was about a two minute Pr for me!! Now I am hungry for another one and want to get it to under 49 minutes:) For a cold and rainy day...it was a good day!
Kay had basketball games all day and I am so tired! I am going to bed:) Happy running, biking, swimming and lifting!! I will link everyone's giveaways tomorrow morning. Enjoy the rest of your weekends!
Rad Runner is hosting a Bradford Tonic giveaway!
Adam is hosting a $50 Road Runner gift card!
Angie is hosting a Whooha gear giveaway!
Erica is hosting a Banana Blossoms Press Card and running t-shirt giveaway!
Jenn is hosting a KALYX Sport Bra giveaway!
Molly is hosting a I Can't Believe It's Not Butter giveaway!

77 comments:

  1. Congratulations on the PR! You are fast, especially in the less than desirable conditions. Great job!

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  2. Awesome job Julie! Congrats on the new PR! I have found that I am faster when I do not pay attention to my watch, worrying about time also!

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  3. I thoroughly enjoyed reading your race report. It is awesome that you got a PR in your wet socks and shoes! It is funny how you said you forgot to stop your Garmin after the race. I have done just the opposite. I have a Garmin 310XT that I use for my open water swims and I always forget to start it!

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  4. Wow Julie, that is a fast pace! Congrats on the great run and another PR!!

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  5. Great race! Well done on your PR! And it's so cool you got recognised from your blog hehe!

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  6. Boy you really did a great job! Rain and all! You will easily do under 49 in better conditions! How neat you saw someone you have met.

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  7. top stuff julie..they're coming thick and fast
    bet you're chuffed!

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  8. PRs are like potato chips - up can't stop at one! Great job especially with the conditions.

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  9. Great job! This was only my second run over 4 miles, so just getting through it feeling good was a win for me.

    No problems with your shins?

    Also, nice meeting you yesterday. :)

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  10. Another great run! You're on a roll chickie! Love me some Bon Jovi, lately I've been running to a bunch of '80s songs....epecially Guns and Roses!!!

    Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

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  11. A PR despite the rain? Great job!! You are on a roll!!

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  12. GREAT JOB JULIE!!!! Congrats on the PR. Wasn't that rain something? I have never been so water logged. I kept looking for you too but it was crazy. We were fairly close though....as you were standing in the potty line....we were hunkered down in the brown pavilion behind you. Hopefully I will meet you at another MN event.

    Congrats again!

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  13. Great job. PRing in the rain, oh my! You are nailing your races Julie, how awesome!

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  14. PR in wet shoes! Now this is really something!
    Congratulations!
    I truly enjoyed reading your report.

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  15. Congratulations on your PR! You are doing an awesome job at all your races! And, very importantly, you always look so stylish! :) I enjoyed your race report and the pix. Thanks for sharing! Rest up and have a great week!!

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  16. Congrats on the super speedy 10k! Way to go.

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  17. Awesome job, Julie! Sometimes I think running in the rain makes me faster, but that wasn't the case yesterday -- I looks like it worked for you!! Great time and congrats on another PR! :) Thanks for taking all those pictures, too! They really capture the essence of yesterday.

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  18. Nice job Julie! We Minnesotans are a tough bunch, and you CERTAINLY are. A PR in the rain.

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  19. Amazing pace Julie!! Congrats on getting a PR, especially in those icky conditions...you rock!

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  20. Excellent PR! You rock! Very nice report and pics too.

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  21. Congratulations! You crushed that race.

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  22. Way to PR in nasty conditions! You are my hero big sis!

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  23. Woohoo! Congrats on an awesome PR...and you did it with the rain and the cold! :)

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  24. Congratulations on your PR - 2 minutes faster that is HUGE! Wohoo :)

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  25. Great job, Ms. Speedy!

    BTW, I am in Virginia, but my parents live in Wisconsin, so I am often there in the summer. I'm still considering running the Madison Mini in August, as I'll be in town that weekend.

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  26. Julie, sounds like you had an interesting race. Good for you getting out there in such bad weather! I know what you mean about being really close to other runners I have the same issues! Cheers!

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  27. Way to go Julie!!! How awesome to PR in the rain and with wet shoes!!! You totally described how mental running is! I love the self talk. Congrats on a great race :)

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  28. You are so amazing Julie!! Congrats on your PR and way to stick it out on a rainy day!
    I always love your race reports and all the photos!

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  29. Impressive numbers: 8:08 minute mile pace, 721 of 3658 over all, 170 of 2040 females and 30 of 441 in the age group. Congratulations but the most impressive is that this was the 3rd race in 3 weeks.
    Beautiful pictures, the rain gets me stronger; I like to run under the rain, don't you?

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  30. What a good attitude! And, a PR?! You're on a roll!!

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  31. Nice job, girl! I heard about all that rain! Yuck!

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  32. You are living the life; congrats on your PR, doesn't it feel great?

    Rain is going to be a good luck omen for you in the future :-)

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  33. Congrats on a super fast race and PR! WOW! And under tough conditions too! WTG!

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  34. You really rocked it!! Well done. You were very speedy. Congrats on a new PR!

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  35. CONGRATS on the PR Julie!! Way to rock it out in that rain :)

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  36. Improvement on every race. I wonder how long it will take you to break 30 min. Just kidding.

    That is great. A rainy 10K is not bad. It can actually be beneficial if the course is not slippery.

    I know that race is huge, so it tends to be slow for those of us over 40 min. You were probably under 50 if there were not so many people.

    Be careful not to over race (yeah, the pot calling the kettle black)

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  37. Wow girl, you did AWESOME!!! Congratulations on a wonderful PR - and in spite of yucky conditions! When I saw the nasty weather photos, I cringed and wanted to cry for you - I am a weather wimp!!! Again, awesome job. Have a great week!
    Kathleen

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  38. Julie, I love reading your race reports, so entertaining and you are a great writer. My goodness you are sooo fast, even in the rain. You are so inspirational. Pleassse don't get hurt and take care of yourself!!
    Happy Running :)

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  39. Another PR...you are KILLING it this year!!!

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  40. Awesome Julie! You are the racing QUEEN!! Great to see things going so well for you! You have a half next weekend too? Wow!! Great pics and way to get out there in the rain!

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  41. Sweet! you have an amazing spring ahead of you. Go Girl! Nice pics too.

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  42. I love the look on your face before you got out of the car. Great job getting out of the car dispite the rain! Yeah for your PR! A great reward for heading outside in the yucky weather. Thanks for the great race report!

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  43. Great job! nice run in ppoor conditions!
    -Derek

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  44. Julie! Great race! So sad about getting your feet wet as you got out of the van! :( I love that you made two stops for the bathroom! That is so me! I'm hoping the rain stops here because I would rather not have a rainy Monday morning run! You are my last blog to read for tonight, I've got to go to bed, 5 a.m. comes so quickly!
    Good night!

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  45. Double PR! 10K PR and 10K Rain PR. Impressive!

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  46. You are on a roll with races! Congrats on the PR!

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  47. You are just nailing them one after another. Way to go!!

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  48. Wow Julie, I'm going to have to start calling you my speedster friend! You're fast girl!

    Congrats on your PR and your awesome race!

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  49. Just stumbled across your blog. I ran the Get in Gear 10k this weekend as well (don't have the race report up yet though!). Congrats on the PR!! Sounds like you ran a great race!!

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  50. Wow you're fast. Nice job!! Bad racing weather stinks.

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  51. Hi Julie! Such a fun RR to read! You are always so happy looking in your pics. congrats on the PR in tough conditions!

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  52. COngrats on the PR, esp under the conditions

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  53. Way to go Julie! 10Ks are my favorite distance - just long enough that you can't fake your way through, but short enough that you can go all out. Congrats on the PR in less than ideal conditions!

    And I bet you it was colder there than it ever gets here is Southern California where, yes, 50 is FRIGID!!!!!

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  54. Julie! You are on a serious roll! Way to go. I am especially impressed that you are out there week after week pulling this off...my old legs would tell me no!

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  55. Awesome girl, AWESOME!! Smiling big for you from Denver right now!!!! Oh the places you'll go...

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  56. Congratulations Julie! A great average pace considering that you ran in the rain :)

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  57. Julie - Way to go with the rainy cool PR!!! Racing in the rain isn't fun...unless it's hot outside and then the rain helps. You are super speedy.

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  58. Great time! and don't you look cute in that running outfit? :)

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  59. first, congrats for even getting out and running in that rain! bigger congrats for the pr! way to go girl :)

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  60. Hey, Julie!

    Actually, I grabbed the Competitive Image photos from the Get In Gear site: http://www.getingear10k.com/photos_2010.html -- there will be more posted to the actual CI website in the coming days; it still looks like it's under construction.

    I also grabbed Wayne's photos from his personal page: http://wkphotography.com/gallery/10_Season/GnG/index.html

    Aren't the pictures that were e-mailed to us a hoot?! Mine made me laugh SO HARD! They were awful! I am putting them in a new post now ... I seriously cried from laughing so hard and I hope others do, too. :) Sorry to hear yours was less-than-stellar, as well! I think we're all in good company with personal photos from that day.

    Finally ... the Lake Minnetonka half?! I have a 20-mile training run on Saturday, so maybe if the race is on Sunday I could do it? Or maybe I could run a few extra miles after the race? I'll look into it. :) Why am I not surprised you are doing ANOTHER race?! You are on a mad streak -- way to go!! Are you doing the full 13 miles?!
    A

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  61. Great job on the PR. Despite the weather you did awesome!

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  62. Awesome job on that PR!! I hate running in the rain and boy did you have some. Way to go!

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  63. Way to go on your run!!! That is such an awesome time :)

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  64. Awesome!!! I'm hoping my next 10K is around your old PR, then I'm shooting for your new PR. Congrats!

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  65. JULIE, what a great race time!!! You are really rocking these races and having fun...well, except for the rain! By the way, I love your "not so excited smile" picture taken from inside the car. No, you definitely weren't excited but you did it!
    Wonderful!

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  66. Nice PR, Julie! You are tearing it up this season. Keep the faith, sista!

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  67. Congrats! PR's are always wonderful.

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  68. Nice job Julie, and congrats on another PR!!! Woohoo!

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  69. Wow Julie, that's an awesome PR! Especially in the rain! You are totally hardcore :) Have a great day!

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  70. Oh my gosh you are a PR machine!!! NICE WORK!! :)

    And yes, you looked less than impressed to be out in the rain in that one pic.

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  71. Nice race. Your improvement really seems to be constant the more you get back into running! Definitely makes your blog cool to follow!

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  72. Hi Julie,
    Are you running this weekend? I haven't planned to run a race this week. I'm going to run with Stefano the 19 km "Campus race" in Rome the 9th of May.
    I hope you have a nice holiday May 1st tomorrow, International Workers' Day :)

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