My journey to this race was a some what interesting one. I knew I wanted to do a half marathon this year, but I did not want to pay the really high fee to run in Seattle RNR. I decided to sign up for the Kirkland half marathon instead. It was much easier to get to and I could do the 5k instead, if finding time to train was too difficult. I signed up back in December thinking May sounded so far away and a training for a half could be feasible. Well February quickly came around and my regular running schedule was no where close where it needed to be to train for a half, much less one as difficult as Kirkland. The 5k it is.
As it was, the 5k was even difficult to do. For medical reasons I had to take almost 3 weeks off from running. I was nervous to do such a hilly run. When I woke up this morning I really wanted to stay in bed. I contemplated for a second about skipping it, but I had a friend meeting me at the finish. I also had to go for a run anyway, so I might as well run a race. Of course Hailey chose to sleep in until seven, making me miss out on an opportunity to sleep in.
Once I had my coffee my outlook changed, but I was still dreading running up Market Street, which is at least a half mile up hill. Before I knew it I was kissing my husband and kiddo good bye to walk down to the starting line.
Lining up in the race corral I got really excited. It was a beautiful day in Seattle and about 62 degrees at the start of the race. I got a little emotional thinking about how it was Mother's Day and what a cool tradition it would be to run the race every year, thinking one day Hailey might join me. I honestly had to keep my eyes from tearing up.
The race started on time and the first part of the course lead along one of my usual three mile routes, from the Juanita Bay Park to the bridge and up Market Street. I usually do not go all the way up Market though. It was a killer. Many people stopped to walk at that point (I would say this is not very fast race, anyone really serious runs the half. I lined up in the front of the 8 to 10 minute mile group and did not have a lot of people passing me). I slowed down to my distance running pace. I stopped to walk for about 20 yards, but other than that I ran the whole way up. The nice part of making it up, the rest of the run is down hill most of the way back
I really think this is one of the hilliest 5ks around. Maybe only a mile of it is flat and the course really zig zags through the neighborhoods (and a lot of really nice houses). I had a beautiful view of Lake Washington for part of it. It would be so nice to wake up to that every morning.
By the time I hit mile two I was getting pretty tired. We hit the straight away I run on all the time. I struggled to keep motivation to run quickly. Then a mom passed me with a double stroller and an infant who could not be any more than three months old. I felt like a slacker. After I made the turn for the last .4 miles to the finish I was able to kick it up a notch and at the end I sprinted to beat out a guy running just in front of me. I finished with a time of 31:59 and a pace of 10:18 a mile. I'll take it for such a hilly run and that beats out my Valentine's Day Dash bathroom stop time, which was my goal.
All and all, for a challenging course I recommend this race, probably not for a first 5k, unless walking is an option. For the half finishers, flowers can be ordered to give the finishing moms as they cross the line. Medals are awarded to all the finishers of the half too. Now how sweet is that.
Showing posts with label Race Reports. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Race Reports. Show all posts
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Monday, February 13, 2012
Race Report: Valentine's Day Dash 2012
This past Saturday was my first post baby race. Green Lake's Valentine's Day Dash has become a new tradition for me, in which I celebrate the start of race season and February's holidays with a fellow February birthday girl. Since I am still working on getting my speed back up to where it was and she hadn't run three miles in who knows how long, we decided not to "race" the dash. It was nice though because we got to focus more on fun.
Valentine's Day Dash has about three thousand race participants and is held at Seattle's famous Green Lake. It is the perfect beginning 5k for someone starting out. The entire course is flat. The crowd is not too large to get lost, but not too small that you lose the fun. It is awesome people watching. People dress up in all sorts of festive outfits.
My Valentine and I have worked out the perfect parking spot, a short five minute walk from the starting line. We got there around 9 am, 30 minutes before the start. There was a quick bathroom pit stop and then we got our race packets. We toured around the booths really quick and then it was time to line up for the start.
Before the start we quickly realized we should have made a bathroom stop before getting in line. It's only a 5k, no big deal right? We can make it. Well after the first mile we quickly realized the race would be much more enjoyable if we stopped at the bathroom. So I was that girl, that I made fun of, who takes a potty stop during a 5k. Now I have answered my question on who really does that.
After our bathroom break, the rest of the race was a breeze. We quickly got back on pace to where we were. My final time was 34:21, with an 11:05 pace. Given the pit stop, I consider it a pretty good time! I also did not almost vomit in the Tunnel of Love this year (thanks Hailey!).
We celebrated our finish with a fruit omelet at Brown Bag in Kirkland. I'm already looking forward to next year. I need to add to my race outfit to make it more festive. Maybe some tacky hear socks?
Valentine's Day Dash has about three thousand race participants and is held at Seattle's famous Green Lake. It is the perfect beginning 5k for someone starting out. The entire course is flat. The crowd is not too large to get lost, but not too small that you lose the fun. It is awesome people watching. People dress up in all sorts of festive outfits.
My Valentine and I have worked out the perfect parking spot, a short five minute walk from the starting line. We got there around 9 am, 30 minutes before the start. There was a quick bathroom pit stop and then we got our race packets. We toured around the booths really quick and then it was time to line up for the start.
Before the start we quickly realized we should have made a bathroom stop before getting in line. It's only a 5k, no big deal right? We can make it. Well after the first mile we quickly realized the race would be much more enjoyable if we stopped at the bathroom. So I was that girl, that I made fun of, who takes a potty stop during a 5k. Now I have answered my question on who really does that.
After our bathroom break, the rest of the race was a breeze. We quickly got back on pace to where we were. My final time was 34:21, with an 11:05 pace. Given the pit stop, I consider it a pretty good time! I also did not almost vomit in the Tunnel of Love this year (thanks Hailey!).
We celebrated our finish with a fruit omelet at Brown Bag in Kirkland. I'm already looking forward to next year. I need to add to my race outfit to make it more festive. Maybe some tacky hear socks?
Friday, May 13, 2011
Race (Spectator) Report: Kirkland Half Marathon
Just to start out, I did not run the Kirkland Half Marathon/5k. I might have had I had an easier time running the begining part of my pregnancy, but I didn't so that is that. The course does pass near my house, though. One of my good friends was running it too, so I decided to take part in the fun.
It was a dreary, cold, Pacific Northwest morning. The start time for the race was 7:30 am. Talia (my friend running) set a goal to run about ten minute miles, so I set my alarm for 7:40. I got up and looked out the window. The walkers were just walking along the main road. I got dressed and started a pot of coffee. Then I grabbed my neon green "go talia" sign and walked out to the course. By the time I made it out there, most of the elite runners had passed and it was still mostly walkers passing by. (I should explain, you can walk the half marathon too, the walkers start before the runners... just in case you hadn't figured that out yet.) I am not the best cheerleader. I am good at making signs, but not so good at the yelling. Talia became popular with the people walking by, so they were doing the cheering for me. One man even declared that he was Talia. I think the real Talia would argue that.
I had to start looking really hard once the crowd of runners started to pass. There were a lot of white hats like hers running by. Talia saw me first and smiled. She loved her sign. I wish it was later in the race she ran into me, but I am sure it helped boast her over some of the hills she still had to run the next three miles of the course.
I went back inside, where it was warm and dry for the next hour. That coffee I made tasted sooo good. At 8:45am I started to make the walk down to the finish line. I met up with the course at the mile 12 marker. I debated on waiting there for Talia or to keep going for a little while. I decided to walk and knowing she would catch up with me soon. About a half mile down she did. I think I was almost more excited to see her than she was to see the finish. I ran with her a little ways and when I got too hot from all my layers I told her to go pass these girls 10 yards in front of her. I caught up with her at the finish line. Her time? 2:13 and some change! I'm so impressed. The Kirkland half is no easy course. I'm sure the next simpler course she does she will get under two hours.
We walked around the vendor booths to check them out. I bought a running skirt and some compression socks. (I will post a review for them soon.) I said goodbye to Talia and her husband. Then I walked my way back home. I was sad I could not be part of the race, but at least I got to participate in the way I could. I also got my exercise for the morning with the long walk to the finish. Sorry I don't have any pictures. I really need to get better at that for you guys. Talia, I hope you don't mind being part of my blog this week. :)
It was a dreary, cold, Pacific Northwest morning. The start time for the race was 7:30 am. Talia (my friend running) set a goal to run about ten minute miles, so I set my alarm for 7:40. I got up and looked out the window. The walkers were just walking along the main road. I got dressed and started a pot of coffee. Then I grabbed my neon green "go talia" sign and walked out to the course. By the time I made it out there, most of the elite runners had passed and it was still mostly walkers passing by. (I should explain, you can walk the half marathon too, the walkers start before the runners... just in case you hadn't figured that out yet.) I am not the best cheerleader. I am good at making signs, but not so good at the yelling. Talia became popular with the people walking by, so they were doing the cheering for me. One man even declared that he was Talia. I think the real Talia would argue that.
I had to start looking really hard once the crowd of runners started to pass. There were a lot of white hats like hers running by. Talia saw me first and smiled. She loved her sign. I wish it was later in the race she ran into me, but I am sure it helped boast her over some of the hills she still had to run the next three miles of the course.
I went back inside, where it was warm and dry for the next hour. That coffee I made tasted sooo good. At 8:45am I started to make the walk down to the finish line. I met up with the course at the mile 12 marker. I debated on waiting there for Talia or to keep going for a little while. I decided to walk and knowing she would catch up with me soon. About a half mile down she did. I think I was almost more excited to see her than she was to see the finish. I ran with her a little ways and when I got too hot from all my layers I told her to go pass these girls 10 yards in front of her. I caught up with her at the finish line. Her time? 2:13 and some change! I'm so impressed. The Kirkland half is no easy course. I'm sure the next simpler course she does she will get under two hours.
We walked around the vendor booths to check them out. I bought a running skirt and some compression socks. (I will post a review for them soon.) I said goodbye to Talia and her husband. Then I walked my way back home. I was sad I could not be part of the race, but at least I got to participate in the way I could. I also got my exercise for the morning with the long walk to the finish. Sorry I don't have any pictures. I really need to get better at that for you guys. Talia, I hope you don't mind being part of my blog this week. :)
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Race Report: Spokane Bloomsday
Sunday was the 35th Annual Spokane Bloomsday Run. This year over 60,000 people signed up. I have not been able to find any data yet on how many finished. It doesn't matter any way. That is a lot of people. We made the trip over to the mountains in pretty good time. We made a stop at the Road House Grill for lunch in Ellensburg and our friend's mom made her annual home made lasagna for us to eat for our prerace dinner (yum!). All tired out from our journey, I went to bed at 9pm.
The weather was unseasonably cold for Spokane this time of year. The temperature at start time was 44 degrees. Knowing the forecast, I packed layers to wear, and my running gloves. I was really worried about, for lack of a better word, all my snot production due to my pregnancy. It is worse in the cold, which makes me more likely to gage and barf.
The next morning our wake up call was at 6:30am. I got up after an okay night's sleep and I had a major head ache. I forgot to pack my mouth guard and I had been grinding my teeth all night. My stomach also did not feel very good. I made sure to go upstairs and eat a small breakfast. I had oatmeal, a piece of toast, a banana, and some coffee. At that point I took some aspirin for my head ache. I went back downstairs to use the bathroom before we left. My stomach started doing flip flops. I barely made it to the bathroom when I lost my entire breakfast. I was so upset. I really needed the fuel for the morning. Not only that, I was really worried about how the race itself would go. On a normal day I probably would have gotten back in bed, but everyone was waiting for me to leave for the start line, so I collected myself and got in the car.
The entire car ride over I made sure to sip water. I contemplated the whole way whether or not I should run. It could be a really miserable 7.5 miles or it could be that my stomach would settle and all would be okay. I decided that I didn't go all the way to Spokane to just hang out and go home, so I kissed H good bye (he was sitting on the side lines due to his injury) and slowly walked to my green bib corral to wait for the start.
I love the race corals for large races. All the body heat kept me warm and the sun really helped too. It was amazing to look out to the sea of people in front and behind be. I made sure to line up at the end of the green pack, since I knew I would be much slower than the others in the corral. I was too stubborn to move back a corral from where I qualified last year. It turned out to be a really good choice to stay in the same corral. I think I must have just missed qualifying for yellow last year. Maybe next year I can "prove it" and move up a corral. :)
It was a long, cold, wait in my pin to cross the starting line, but 25 minutes later I finally did. It was hard to start out since I was so cold and stiff from waiting. I did a good job at staying at a slow and steady pace, despite the temptation to take off like all the others. I just laughed on the inside because I knew in about half a mile they would get tired from their sprint and I would start passing them.
Soon enough I did. I actually passed people! I also started to feel really good. I just took things slow and steady. I didn't have any problems with my stomach at all. I was feeling so good, It was hard to make myself stop from running the hills. The first three miles were awesome.
After that it felt like the baby woke up from what ever nap it was taking. It started to feel like I was getting poked. It didn't hurt, it was more like a "cut it out mom, I'm trying to chill out in here". It made me smile, and I kept on going. I knew as long as it didn't hurt the baby was fine. He or she needs to get used to running any way :) We will be doing a lot of that together.
I got a lot of comments on my shirt. About five people taped me on the sholder and told me how awesome it was. One man said I was sending a really great message. I heard other people comment on it from behind me. A couple times even, when I passed guys, I heard them say common we need to get moving if she is passing us.
Doomsday Hill is right before the end of mile five. Last year that is what really tired me out. This year I knew better to even attempt to run it. As soon as I hit a decent incline I stopped to walk. It really helped me save my energy for the last two miles. I felt much better running them this year than the last. I was so thankful.
My finish time was 1:32:10, just a hair slower than my goal, but I really don't care. I finished the race, felt good, and didn't barf. Biggest thing of all, I had a blast! I love Bloomsday. It's so well organized it puts other larger races to shame. Race organizers should really mentor with the Bloomsday organizers. I can't wait until next year already. Below is my mile splits, if you are interested.
1 11:14
2 11:49
3 12:56
4 11:53
5 13:12
6 13:03
7 12:08
8 11:00
The weather was unseasonably cold for Spokane this time of year. The temperature at start time was 44 degrees. Knowing the forecast, I packed layers to wear, and my running gloves. I was really worried about, for lack of a better word, all my snot production due to my pregnancy. It is worse in the cold, which makes me more likely to gage and barf.
The next morning our wake up call was at 6:30am. I got up after an okay night's sleep and I had a major head ache. I forgot to pack my mouth guard and I had been grinding my teeth all night. My stomach also did not feel very good. I made sure to go upstairs and eat a small breakfast. I had oatmeal, a piece of toast, a banana, and some coffee. At that point I took some aspirin for my head ache. I went back downstairs to use the bathroom before we left. My stomach started doing flip flops. I barely made it to the bathroom when I lost my entire breakfast. I was so upset. I really needed the fuel for the morning. Not only that, I was really worried about how the race itself would go. On a normal day I probably would have gotten back in bed, but everyone was waiting for me to leave for the start line, so I collected myself and got in the car.
The entire car ride over I made sure to sip water. I contemplated the whole way whether or not I should run. It could be a really miserable 7.5 miles or it could be that my stomach would settle and all would be okay. I decided that I didn't go all the way to Spokane to just hang out and go home, so I kissed H good bye (he was sitting on the side lines due to his injury) and slowly walked to my green bib corral to wait for the start.
I love the race corals for large races. All the body heat kept me warm and the sun really helped too. It was amazing to look out to the sea of people in front and behind be. I made sure to line up at the end of the green pack, since I knew I would be much slower than the others in the corral. I was too stubborn to move back a corral from where I qualified last year. It turned out to be a really good choice to stay in the same corral. I think I must have just missed qualifying for yellow last year. Maybe next year I can "prove it" and move up a corral. :)
It was a long, cold, wait in my pin to cross the starting line, but 25 minutes later I finally did. It was hard to start out since I was so cold and stiff from waiting. I did a good job at staying at a slow and steady pace, despite the temptation to take off like all the others. I just laughed on the inside because I knew in about half a mile they would get tired from their sprint and I would start passing them.
Soon enough I did. I actually passed people! I also started to feel really good. I just took things slow and steady. I didn't have any problems with my stomach at all. I was feeling so good, It was hard to make myself stop from running the hills. The first three miles were awesome.
After that it felt like the baby woke up from what ever nap it was taking. It started to feel like I was getting poked. It didn't hurt, it was more like a "cut it out mom, I'm trying to chill out in here". It made me smile, and I kept on going. I knew as long as it didn't hurt the baby was fine. He or she needs to get used to running any way :) We will be doing a lot of that together.
I got a lot of comments on my shirt. About five people taped me on the sholder and told me how awesome it was. One man said I was sending a really great message. I heard other people comment on it from behind me. A couple times even, when I passed guys, I heard them say common we need to get moving if she is passing us.
Doomsday Hill is right before the end of mile five. Last year that is what really tired me out. This year I knew better to even attempt to run it. As soon as I hit a decent incline I stopped to walk. It really helped me save my energy for the last two miles. I felt much better running them this year than the last. I was so thankful.
My finish time was 1:32:10, just a hair slower than my goal, but I really don't care. I finished the race, felt good, and didn't barf. Biggest thing of all, I had a blast! I love Bloomsday. It's so well organized it puts other larger races to shame. Race organizers should really mentor with the Bloomsday organizers. I can't wait until next year already. Below is my mile splits, if you are interested.
1 11:14
2 11:49
3 12:56
4 11:53
5 13:12
6 13:03
7 12:08
8 11:00
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Race Report: Seahawks 12/5k Renton Landing
First of all I must start off by announcing, yes I am pregnant. This blog will turn into how I am managing my work outs and not to stuff my face over the next six months. After the baby gets here I'll talk about how I am managing to get back into shape afterwards. I am not looking forward to how hard it is going to be, but I know the new addition to our family is worth it. I am currently 13 weeks along, due October 20th. My next post will be all about how I have managed thus far. It has been a struggle, let me tell you!
I originally signed up for the Seahawks 12k (7.5 miles), before I found out I was pregnant and had every intention of still doing it. Since then I have only been able to manage two six mile runs in month two and both of those I spent the last three miles having to pause to dry heave every half mile. Needless to say half way through my third month I decided attempting the 12k was not a good idea. Especially at Seahawks they don't allow walkers for the 12k (their permits don't allow road closures for long enough). Fortunately, the Seahawks also allow a 5k run/walk and I knew I could at least walk that.
There were A LOT more people this year! Last year maybe a thousand people lined up at the start. This year there was over 3,000. I think next year they need to split the start times for the 12k and the 5k runners. A lot of the 5k walkers clogged up the front of the line. It was really annoying and I wasn't even racing for time.
I felt really good at the start. I wanted to go faster, but knew I should hold back. I had not run a full three miles in almost a month. I felt great through mile two. Mile three is when I started to get tired and a little nauseous. I knew my legs weren't tired though so that is what prevented me from stopping and walking.
Here are my splits:
Mile 1 10:14
Mile 2 10:10
Mile 3 10:11
Mile 3.1 8:17
Overall it was a fun race. My finish tile was 31:42. I'll take it. I was not racing and it isn't too much slower from my last 5k. Looking at my Garmin it looks like my heart rate got way too high. I think it was picking up other monitors at the start. I do not think 223 beats per minute is right at all. I have noticed it having this problem at the start of other races. My average heart rate was 173, which seems closer to correct, but still a little higher than I would prefer given my current condition.
I liked the changes the race organizers made in the course. It was much more intuitive. The course for the 5k was not a challenge. It is all flat, so another good beginner 5k race. None of the players were there this year due to the lock out. I really enjoyed getting my water from Brandon Mebane last year. Blitz and the cheerleaders were still at the race though.
I'll use signing up for the 12k next year as my motivation to get my mileage back up and to get back in shape.
I originally signed up for the Seahawks 12k (7.5 miles), before I found out I was pregnant and had every intention of still doing it. Since then I have only been able to manage two six mile runs in month two and both of those I spent the last three miles having to pause to dry heave every half mile. Needless to say half way through my third month I decided attempting the 12k was not a good idea. Especially at Seahawks they don't allow walkers for the 12k (their permits don't allow road closures for long enough). Fortunately, the Seahawks also allow a 5k run/walk and I knew I could at least walk that.
 |
| Seahawks start and finish |
There were A LOT more people this year! Last year maybe a thousand people lined up at the start. This year there was over 3,000. I think next year they need to split the start times for the 12k and the 5k runners. A lot of the 5k walkers clogged up the front of the line. It was really annoying and I wasn't even racing for time.
I felt really good at the start. I wanted to go faster, but knew I should hold back. I had not run a full three miles in almost a month. I felt great through mile two. Mile three is when I started to get tired and a little nauseous. I knew my legs weren't tired though so that is what prevented me from stopping and walking.
Here are my splits:
Mile 1 10:14
Mile 2 10:10
Mile 3 10:11
Mile 3.1 8:17
 |
| Me on the left at the finish. Recognize the jacket? |
Overall it was a fun race. My finish tile was 31:42. I'll take it. I was not racing and it isn't too much slower from my last 5k. Looking at my Garmin it looks like my heart rate got way too high. I think it was picking up other monitors at the start. I do not think 223 beats per minute is right at all. I have noticed it having this problem at the start of other races. My average heart rate was 173, which seems closer to correct, but still a little higher than I would prefer given my current condition.
I liked the changes the race organizers made in the course. It was much more intuitive. The course for the 5k was not a challenge. It is all flat, so another good beginner 5k race. None of the players were there this year due to the lock out. I really enjoyed getting my water from Brandon Mebane last year. Blitz and the cheerleaders were still at the race though.
I'll use signing up for the 12k next year as my motivation to get my mileage back up and to get back in shape.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Race Report: Valentine's Day Dash
This past Saturday I ran in my first 5k. Hard to believe, but it was. I ran the Valentine's Day Dash around Green Lake in Seattle, Washington. H had to work, so my friend Talia ran it with me. Back in January when I signed up my goal was to run nine minute miles. We ended up meeting that goal with our official pace being 9:02 (my watch says 8:54 average pace, so that is what I am going with) and a finish time of 28 minutes flat.
We arrived at the race about 40 minutes early. We were able to get around with little traffic issues and with minimal lines at the porter potty. We grabbed our race packets and had enough time to go back to the car to drop off our stuff and come back to the starting line.
We got in line for the start in between the nine and ten minute pace groups. That turned out to be a big mistake. The first mile we spent a lot of time and energy trying to pass people. Next time we will over estimate on the faster end. There is no time to be waisted in a 5k! Our first mile pace was 9:05.
Mile two we had passed most of the people slowing us up. I was hungry to see the two mile marker we saw on our drive in. I was feeling really good at this point, especially for running so fast for a sustained time. Our two mile pace was 8:36.
The last mile is where I struggled. I started to feel nauseous. My legs still felt pretty good, though. I started to slow down a little bit. Watchers on the side lines were cheering us on so I had to hang in there. Finally we were reentering in towards the finish, where we go through the "tunnel of love". At this point is where my stomach could not stay in place. I knew I had less than a quarter mile left. I wanted to hang on so badly, but my gag reflex could not. I had to pull to the side really quick in the tunnel of love and almost lost my breakfast. Luckily I didn't, I hung on, but my quick pit stop cost me a precious 10 to 20 seconds that would have helped me smash my goal! Argh! Talia was a good friend and stuck with me. We finished together and I got some water. It helped settle my stomach. Our last mile pace ended up being 8:58.
The race itself is a lot of fun. It is a good beginners race too. It is completely flat. Only part of the race is run on Green Lake, which is nice. Those poor spectators out walking their dogs do not need to get run over by a bunch of people and much less racers need not worry about dodging them either. The tunnel of love added some interest along the race course. I do wish it was not right at the end (and I also wish I didn't almost throw up in it).
On of the best parts was after the race Talia and I went to Brown Bag in Kirkland where I attempted to eat most of this fruit omelet. Yum! Next up Seahawks 12k in April..
We arrived at the race about 40 minutes early. We were able to get around with little traffic issues and with minimal lines at the porter potty. We grabbed our race packets and had enough time to go back to the car to drop off our stuff and come back to the starting line.
We got in line for the start in between the nine and ten minute pace groups. That turned out to be a big mistake. The first mile we spent a lot of time and energy trying to pass people. Next time we will over estimate on the faster end. There is no time to be waisted in a 5k! Our first mile pace was 9:05.
Mile two we had passed most of the people slowing us up. I was hungry to see the two mile marker we saw on our drive in. I was feeling really good at this point, especially for running so fast for a sustained time. Our two mile pace was 8:36.
The last mile is where I struggled. I started to feel nauseous. My legs still felt pretty good, though. I started to slow down a little bit. Watchers on the side lines were cheering us on so I had to hang in there. Finally we were reentering in towards the finish, where we go through the "tunnel of love". At this point is where my stomach could not stay in place. I knew I had less than a quarter mile left. I wanted to hang on so badly, but my gag reflex could not. I had to pull to the side really quick in the tunnel of love and almost lost my breakfast. Luckily I didn't, I hung on, but my quick pit stop cost me a precious 10 to 20 seconds that would have helped me smash my goal! Argh! Talia was a good friend and stuck with me. We finished together and I got some water. It helped settle my stomach. Our last mile pace ended up being 8:58.
The race itself is a lot of fun. It is a good beginners race too. It is completely flat. Only part of the race is run on Green Lake, which is nice. Those poor spectators out walking their dogs do not need to get run over by a bunch of people and much less racers need not worry about dodging them either. The tunnel of love added some interest along the race course. I do wish it was not right at the end (and I also wish I didn't almost throw up in it).
On of the best parts was after the race Talia and I went to Brown Bag in Kirkland where I attempted to eat most of this fruit omelet. Yum! Next up Seahawks 12k in April..
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Race Report: PACE 10k Kirkland
This past Sunday I ran in the PACE 10k in Kirkland. It is a race to raise awareness for prostate cancer and had about a thousand people participate between the 10k/5k runs and walks. It was probably the smallest race I have done so far. My official time was 39:55. That is a pace of 9:40 per mile over 6.2 miles. I do not consider it bad considering the first two miles are up hill and I have been having trouble with my right hamstring. I did not want to push it too hard and injure myself. Lesson learned - I will not do speed training the week of a race.
The course itself was nice. It is hilly to start out, but you get all your hills out of the way early and I found it to be a good challenge. The turn home is pretty too, since it runs right along Lake Washington Boulevard.
The weather held out for us too. It was pouring rain when we got there. I was prepared to get drenched. As soon as the race began, the weather changed to a nice misty rain. It kept me cool, with out getting soaked.
I did not have a race photographer for this event, but if there are any good photos posted online from the official race photographers I promise to post them here. T
Thanks to Hubs and a friend for running it with me. I do not have another race scheduled right now. The soonest will most likely be December.
The course itself was nice. It is hilly to start out, but you get all your hills out of the way early and I found it to be a good challenge. The turn home is pretty too, since it runs right along Lake Washington Boulevard.
The weather held out for us too. It was pouring rain when we got there. I was prepared to get drenched. As soon as the race began, the weather changed to a nice misty rain. It kept me cool, with out getting soaked.
I did not have a race photographer for this event, but if there are any good photos posted online from the official race photographers I promise to post them here. T
Thanks to Hubs and a friend for running it with me. I do not have another race scheduled right now. The soonest will most likely be December.
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