Lightning 5K

Ran the "Lightning" 5K in Sandy Springs this weekend.  (You know, after running a race in Florida, my definition of a "flat course" is different than most people's here in GA!  I didn't feel like lightning, that's for sure.)

I love hanging out before the race, stretching, getting ready etc.  I end up having great conversations with various people - and it make me realize what a neat sport this is.  Neat because 'winning' and 'doing well' are such relative terms - they mean such different things depending on who you are talking to.  I was talking to a woman who was excited to be running her first 5K - a personal goal - and we were discussing starting off slow, how we trained, all the standard chit chat.  Then she slipped in that she was particularly proud about doing this because she had lost 97 pounds.  97 pounds!?  How incredible is that?  I can't fathom the kind of dedication that must have taken.  (She turned in a great time too!)  Talked to someone else who was shooting for a sub 20 time; someone else who had run 50+ races . . . it's just neat to see how diverse the experience and the expectations are.      

The race itself . . . was tougher than my previous one.  First, I had no idea where I was in terms of distance.  There was a little sign with a one on it at the one mile, and then there was a little .5 after that.  (1.5 I assume).  Then there was another .5 (2?  2.5?) and finally a .6 (1.6, .6 miles from the finish?)  Since I didn't have a watch I guess this didn't matter as much, but it was tough not knowing how much further I had.  The last half mile (or so) hurt.  I think I really lost some time there - which means I must have been moving a lot quicker than I planned at the start.  After a whole discussion about how it is better to start slowly too!  Oh well. 

I had no surge at the end either - I was right behind a guy for the last quarter of a mile or so and I went to sprint the last little bit to pass him - - and absolutely nothing happened.  Weird feeling.  My legs basically said, 'nope, we're doing jest fine at this speed thankyaverymuch.'    

The timing chips were interesting.  (The chip is attached to the back of the race number and they just assume gun time is the start time.  So, you lose a little if you're not at the front of the pack.)  Well, I came trotting across the finish line and there are a couple of guys standing there with paddles that look suspiciously like the ones they use to restart your heart . . . which felt somewhat appropriate.  Anyway, they wave them in front of your number to register your time.  

After that it was bananas, bagels, and breathe.  I went up to watch the start of the 10K which was shortly after that and then hung around a while for the awards ceremony.  It didn't seem like it was going to happen any time soon so I left.

Well, I just found the posting of the official times . . . and I got first in my age bracket!!!  All of a sudden, I feel a lot better about my race!  It's all relative. ...        

Gooooooaaaaaaalllllllll

My motivation to run seems to be lagging a bit lately.  I'm always happy I've run after I run, but the thought of going for the run is draining.  Still doing the runs mind you, but the drive isn't there like it was.  Since I plan on doing this for quite a while, that just doesn't sit right with me.   

Well, thinking about it, I realized this is probably because I've set my goal too far out.  Right now, I'm training for a half marathon in January (or March if I decide that flying to Naples is a bit much.)  Effectively what I did was take a 1/2 marathon training program and double it up - repeating each week of training for a more gradual increase. 

The program does call for a 5K and a 10K in the middle, but I decided there was no point in committing to a specific race until right before since I have the flexibility.  So I have a defined goal of January - - or March plus intermediate goals of September-ish and November-ish.  I realized this just doesn't work for me.  If I've scheduled/paid for it, it drives me - if I haven't I tend to drift.

So I'm running a 5k this weekend and I'm figuring out my 10K for November and probably throwing another 5K in for fun.  We'll see if that puts the exclamation back in it.    

I'm Meeeelting

It . . .was . . .hot . . .
My latest epiphany - 3:15 PM is not the optimum time to run 6 miles.  I know - my brilliance astounds you; I'm used to that reaction.  Besides the fact that it was sunny and approximately one million degrees, I didn't even prep well.  

I don't usually run with water, but, using at least one brain cell, I took an 8 oz bottle.  This was easily about 12 oz too little.  I never felt light-headed, but I definitely felt the effects.  Not the normal tired at all.  

Stopped a few times in the shade just to cool down and I probably ended the run about the right time (as in before I ended up a quivering mass on the sidewalk).  

My first 5 minutes back in the house was spent with my head underneath the tap in the kitchen.  This whole running water in the house thing - what a great invention!

Anyway, so much for sleeping in even a little bit on Sundays.  My long runs are now going to be first thing in the morning.   

Labor Day Blues

You know, you wouldn't think that taking three days off from running - and spending those three days drinking beer and eating whatever the heck you feel like - would affect your running, but sure enough it does!