Monday, January 24, 2011

Frostbite 15K recap ...

Location: Richmond, VA
Date: 1/23/11
Temperature: 26 degrees with a feels like temperature of 15 degrees
Official Time: 1:15:41 (8:07 pace) for 9.3 miles
Garmin Time: 1:15:43 (8:05 pace) for 9.36 miles
Place in Age Group: 7/44
Overall Place: 192/636

The Good:

The Company: I was joined by G (who thought this FREEZING COLD race would be a good idea), KC, 3L, D, J and Katye. Having a bunch of my posse at the start (and finish) almost made the temperatures tolerable. And of course we were the best dressed on the course. Here's a shot of me, G, Katye and KC before the start.


The Course: I had not run this race before and had been warned of hills on the course. Richmond Road Runners described the course like this, "The course is out and back beginning and ending next to the Cary Street soccer field. The course goes out Harrison to Colorado, through the neighborhood next to Maymont and into Byrd Park. Much of the course is flat, but there are a few testy hills."

Past experience has shown that if RRRC mentions hills in the course, they are probably worse than you think. Due to this, I was planning for much worse. There were rolling hills during the first two and last two miles of the course, but for every climb there was an awesome downhill which I tried to use to my advantage.

The Pace: My goal for this race (since I had never run a 15K before) was to use it as a half marathon goal pace run. That meant 9.3 miles at an 8:20 pace. It seemed doable, but I questioned whether or not I would crash at the end (as I historically do).

Anyway, 3L, KC and D were all looking to hold a similar pace. We decided to go together and once we navigated the crowds at the start, we fell into a comfortable groove. Through mile 2 we were averaging 8:10s. Around mile 3, 3L pulled ahead. I tried to keep up. It worked and at mile 4, I passed her. That's when I decided to "just run." No watch checking. No obsessing about the pace. I just wanted to run whatever felt comfortable enough to carry to the end, but hard enough that I knew I was pushing it. We looped back around mile 4.7 and I could see that most of the posse was right behind me. It was a total boost to see them. From then on, I just locked in and pushed to the finish. I felt strong until mile 8 (which was slightly uphill and directly into the wind). When I finished, the Garmin said I had an average pace of 8:05. Just the confidence boost I was looking for heading into my Spring marathon and half marathons.

The Post-Race Refreshments: After finishing, we headed to a parking deck (classy, I know) where we were given Diet Coke (my favorite post-run drink), bananas, bagels and oreos. Now, if they had only served Dunkin Donuts coffee, it would have been perfect.

The Bad:

The Temperature:
Did I mention that this race is called the Frostbite 15k and that it lives up to it's name? Enough said.

Next race on the schedule: Disney Princess Half Marathon AND a sub 1:55 finish ...

35 comments:

Silly Girl Running said...

Oh, you will get that sub 1:55 in Disney. Wouldn't surprise me if you'd get a sub 1:50, though! :)

Heather -Momma Running Amok said...

As a reader of your blog for years...before baby 3 was born...It is awesome to see how speedy you have become. You have always been such a strong runner and now you are so close to having a sub 8 min/mile pace for longer races...so awesome! Way to go!

MCM Mama said...

You are rocking it, girl! I'd be willing to be decent money that within two years you'll be Boston bound...

Kirsten said...

great job Tonia!! you were probably home by the time I finished. HA!

Katie said...

solid race! awesome!

Unknown said...

You always look so cute when you race. And the fact that you are FAST makes me even happier! :) Great race!

Runners Fuel said...

I love your skirt. Super cute!

Mel -Tall Mom on the Run said...

Way to go untapped speed here you come. Just say "No" to crashing mid race :)

"testy" hills, aren't all hills testy?? Hehehe

fancy nancy said...

Way to go!!! You are so going to get that sub 1:55 half!!!

Laurie said...

Great job! You smashed your goal pace, you'll get your half-marathon goal easily!

dawn @ running the dawn said...

that's so awesome! good work on such a challenging course!

Allie @ The Constant Pursuit said...

That is an AWESOME time!! Hoping to channel some of your speed as I gear up for the NYC Half. :)

One Crazy Penguin said...

Rock on! Well done on the race :)

I'll be at the Disney Princess Half as well! I think a bloggy meet up may be in order :)

Becka said...

I didn't know you were running Disney Princess!!! I'll see you there!

Great finish, as always. You're getting super fast, and I have no doubt that you will rock out a sub 1:55 half! You girls look absolutely adorable in your gear, as always.

Love and Puppies, Christy said...

NICE! Congrats on the great finish!

Cynthia said...

Awesome time! You will totally rock the Disney Princess Half! Can't wait to see the outfit for that one! You always have the cutest skirts!

Unknown said...

I live out in Waynesboro and went out for a run at 9 yesterday morning...it was definitely FRIGID!!

Anonymous said...

Speedy!!! And you gals looked super cute in your coordinating skirts.

See ya at the finish line at the Princess... I'll be 20-25 minutes behind you.

Ammie @ domesticallyobsessed.com said...

I LIVE for dunkin donuts. You go, girl!!!! I think an 8:05 pace is pretty awesome if you ask me. I'd kill for that!!!!!

Mike Russell said...

8:07 pace? Dang right that was a confidence builder. You had a great race and will easily nail your 1:55 Disney 1/2. You should readjust to a sub 1:50...

Bethany + Ryan said...

that's a GREAT time!!! congrats! you'll get the 1:55 if you're having a bad day, i think you'll be faster than 1:55. way to go!!!

H Love said...

great job! so jealous that you get to do the Princess Half....so fun!

Unknown said...

I didn't do very well at math, but me thinks 8:20 pace is a sub 1:50! Nice run, and you really are going to crush it in February.

Christine said...

Great race!! Congrats!! I love reading race reviews from close by races. I will add this to my list for next year! :)

Katye said...

you totally killed that course! and you are being modest...it was a challenging run! very exited for you and can't wait till you rock it out at Princess! Wouldn't be surprised if you placed in you Age Group ; )

Pretend this is real said...

Way to go! And LOVE the skirts!

ajh said...

Great job! Love the pace. You rocked it! ANd the Disney Princess Half? Jealous!

Rene' said...

You are getting so fast! I am hoping to have that pace at the princess too:)

Anonymous said...

that is soo AWESOME!! YAY for you!! Great job!

TNTcoach Ken said...

You can get frostbite in those balmy temps????

Marlene said...

I ran in the hellish cold on the weekend, but I can't imagine trying to run fast or racing in that. *shudder* You're a trooper... a stylish and speedy trooper! Congrats on a stellar time and perfectly paced race! Definite confidence-booster!!!

gmontalvo13 said...

hey i know her! i met kayte training for disney princess, you guys are going to have so much fun! good luck!

Jen Feeny said...

Great race chica!!!! :)

Anonymous said...

sweet skirts! looks like you need a tutu for disney!! check it out (tutu runner . blogspot . com / tutu runner . etsy . com)

see you at disney!!
TTR

Unknown said...

Great race! You'll ROCK Disney. I'm sure of it.

Winks & Smiles,
Wifey