Monday, September 19, 2011

ReeseStrong 5K Recap ...

Location: Mechanicsville, VA
Date: 9/17/11
Temperature: 55 degrees
Official Time: 22:04 (7:07 pace), 2:05 minute PR
Place in Age Group (25-29): 1/12
Place in Gender: 3/123
Overall Place: 23/234

As of Friday afternoon, this race was NOT on my schedule. Since I am currently in the middle of marathon training, it can be hard to fit in a 5K. But, due to the fact that a couple of my runs went over mileage earlier in the week, I only needed 5 miles on Saturday. I knew Earth Momma Mer was running a 5K and in the morning and I also knew the weather was going to be perfect for running fast. So, at 8 p.m. on Friday, I decided to race. The next morning, I woke up and headed over to the event to register, ran a one mile warmup and raced my tail off.

The Good:

The Course: The mostly flat course started with a slight downhill into a residential neighborhood that I have been fortunate enough to run in before. I had a rough idea of what to expect, including the quarter mile climb back to the finish.

My Pace: My goal for this race was to run around 7:30 per mile for the duration of the race. I had run a 7:41 pace for 4.14 miles at Hood to Coast, on little sleep and food, so it seemed simple enough. Right around the one mile mark, I glimpsed down at my watch and saw that I was at a 7:10 pace and that there were only 3 or 4 women ahead of me. At that point I decided that instead of watching the clock, I would listen to my body. If I felt like I could push it, I would. If I needed to back off, I'd do that. As long as no one with a ponytail passed me, it was all good.

The strategy worked. I hit my goal and I didn't check my watch until the finish.

My Placing: 3rd woman overall. 1st in the 25-29 age group. Pretty much the coolest thing ever.

The Outfit: I have to admit that when I got to the start in my new Lululemon skirt and purple SwiftSocks, the other people at the front of the pack looked at me like, "This is a joke, right? She can't possibly run fast enough to be standing with us." (Note the dude in the orange cap giving us the crazy eyes)

It was either that, or they were jealous of "The Quads." Not really sure, but either way, I think I proved that fashion and speed are not mutually exclusive.


My Finishing Kick: When I turned the corner into the finishing chute, I could see that the clock still read, 21:xx. A sub-22 was within my grasp, I kicked it into overdrive and my last .1 was at a 5:36 pace. That is just insane.

The Weather: 55 degrees. Overcast. Light winds. A runner's heaven.

The Bad:

Tired Legs: Since I didn't decide to run this race until 8 p.m. the night before, I hadn't had a rest day in the 5 days prior. And I was just 24 hours off a quick 9 miler. I had run 34 miles in the four days. I have to wonder if fresh legs would have made a difference between 22:04 and sub-22.

The Ugly:

Let's be honest, there was no ugly.

41 comments:

Jesser said...

I have to ask ... win anything cool? :)

Jesser said...

And of course, congrats and all, but you totally know you're a rock star (and you are).

SupermomE13 said...

WOO HOO!!!! So awesome!!! Congrats on rocking it! :)

Marisa @ The Pace of my Life said...

Nice job! Awesome PR!!!

Audrey J. said...

Well, yeah, you are my hero. NICE!

Running Ricig said...

That guy giving you a dirty look in the picture is priceless. Way to kick some a**!

MotherRunner said...

You are my hero! This is AWESOME! What an incredible PR... congratus on an amazing race!

Karen said...

LOL - yes - fashion and speed are not mutually exclusive :) Congratulations - how exciting !!!

Beth said...

"This is a joke, right? She can't possibly run fast enough to be standing with us." Best comment ever. It's so true, too. I do find that there are that small group of elitists that pre-judge and then are surprised. That's the best! Great job and congrats!!!

Beth (the athena triathlete!)

ashley rebekah said...

in-freaking-credible! way to go!

Unknown said...

Great job! Never underestimate a woman running in a skirt!

Unknown said...

Who doesn't love a 5k PR in the middle of marathon training? Distance and speed, what a combination!

Sally HP said...

Great job!

Rachel said...

Way to get it, lady!! Did you win anything awesome??

Zaneta @ Runner's Luck said...

haha... that's awesome!! you rocked out that outfit AND the race!! :)

Unknown said...

That is awesome! I'm itching for a new race t-shirt myself!

Johann said...

Congratulations! That is really well done! You rocked that race big time!

Runners Fuel said...

Congrats! Great job!!

Shellyrm ~ just a country runner said...

I am not surprised at all. Your running is inspiring! Great job!

Christy @ My Dirt Road Anthem: A Runner's Blog said...

Nice job on the PR! That is a smasher! Love the new skirt, I was going to get that one but it sold out online by the time I made up my mind. I love Lululemon :)

Katie said...

WOW! you're on fire!

Casey said...

your outfit looks super cute and super fast!! way to go!!!

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Meredith said...

Amazing! Simply Amazing! Way to go!!

~* Jenn *~ said...

Congrats on an awesome new PR and a fantastic race! The skirt is really cute! I have heard good things about them but haven't invested in one yet. Still disappointed that my last skirt purchase was a failure!

Julie said...

I think you were pumped because a TMB groupie introduced herself to you. (cough, cough). :P It was great to meet you! BTW, I'm pretty sure I know the dude in the orange hat, and if it is indeed him, that look is not unusual for him. Congrats on a GREAT race!!

Kerrie said...

You are freakin' ah-MAZE-ing!

Sarah AJ said...

Congrats on the awesome PR!

The Jesse said...

awesome! congrats on your PR, age group win {totally awesomesauce} and gender place! you ROCK :)

Becka said...

AWESOME! I can't even fathom ever getting 3rd, much less FIRST in an age group. Maybe when I'm 80 :D

MCM Mama said...

Nicely done, my friend, nicely done!

Unknown said...

Two words: BAD-ASS!

Winks & Smiles,
Wifey

Jessica (Pace of Me) said...

that is such an awesome PR!!!! and you definitely rocked the skirt, as usual :o)

XLMIC said...

This is so freakin' awesome!!!!!! Congrats :)

Average Woman Runner said...

Holy rockin' PR! Nice job T! I think you got some speed!

giraffy said...

rockSTAR!! go speedracer!

Congrats!

Marlene said...

You are finding some serious speed, girl! Way to show 'em how it's done and congrats on a HUGE PR!

Mel -Tall Mom on the Run said...

GREAT job!! super speed darlin. and you looked great!! I get those looks ALL THE TIME, pretty sure it is because I am super-sized..

Margie said...

WAY TO GO!!!! That's an epic PR for any race, but two minutes off of a 5k? That's insane! Great job.

Julie D. said...

Holy cow!! that is one awesome PR!! Congrats, T.

Anonymous said...

You just get faster and faster and faster. You, my friend, are awesomesauce. Carve me out a date for October.

Zoƫ said...

I.JUST.READ.THIS...and OH MY WORD, CONGRATS!!! You beat your best 5K time by over TWO MINUTES???? You're insane, TMB! Now I totally want to run like you even more. Congrats again, Miss "1st in her AG!"