Sometimes you just have to play the part!
Saturday was a test-race/training race at the Scandinavian Festival in Junction City.
Sidenote: I don't like the idea of a training race, because if I am training hard, I don't expect I will race as well as if I am rested. (and I don't like to waste money and fear coming away feeling defeated). But the idea is starting to grow on me---for the shorter distances.
I've been trying to follow my 10K training plan (see here) but got all wore out after many hard weeks and 14 consecutive days. So, I played sick this week.
That makes it a rested training race, right?
Or maybe a regular race with a short taper?
Anyhow...I wasn't sure what to expect. But you never can be sure in a race.
Here's the course map: (I think it's been around since the 70's...I did the run.)
Course background/details
The Scandia Run 10K had a few hundred people this year...
In the 70's and 80's it had a few thousand participants, but it was also a night race where the runners headed directly to the Scandinavian Festival beer garden after the race. I am pretty sure that led to some problems; now it's at 8 am and has a smaller crowd.
Even though the race is small, it is a fast course. Prize money was offered for the top three male and female finishers- $75, $50 and $25. (I didn't win any cash- nothing new!)
Hydration/Fuel/Prep
Thursday and Friday before the race, I tanked up on Nuun (electrolyte drink) and water. I really think this helped a lot. For breakfast I had a homemade banana-blueberry oatmeal cookie, coffee with milk and sugar, and more Nuun (cola flavored) on the way there.
I arrived by 7:20 and broke my first racing rule: NOTHING NEW ON RACE DAY. I put on a pair of new Brooks Launches from the box, went and registered. Then I ran about 2 miles slow for warm up and 2 or 3 fast accelerations. I set my watch to "pace alerts" to beep if I slowed under a 6:40 mile.
It was cool for August, no rain just overcast. Perfect summer race weather.
Right before the race start I ate a pack of Gu (orange flavored), but didn't wash it down with anything since I had no time to go to the port-a-pots again.
This time I went to the front. It almost feels normal at small races to do this..almost.
I took my place behind the top men, and some ladies I had spotted from other races took a position on the line to the left of them.
I spotted my dad and did something else I have never done since having 3 kids... I took of my shirt, threw it at him, and ran a race in just my skirt and jog bra. Modesty was out the window for the day. Sporting stretch marks and all, I was going to be comfortable this year.
An older lady with 0% body fat joked with me, "I think we should have made a team," referring to the only group (men) that was obviously running as one (neon green shirts). The team competition is a new element this year.
The race
The course is flat and goes through residential area and farmland. What I like best about it is that you can see other runners at several points on the course. Also, water is at one point, but you can hit it 3 different times. I came prepared with a straw after learning my lesson here last year!
The course is flat and goes through residential area and farmland. What I like best about it is that you can see other runners at several points on the course. Also, water is at one point, but you can hit it 3 different times. I came prepared with a straw after learning my lesson here last year!
Mile 1/ 6:16
When the gun fired, everyone took off. There was a little positioning, but all done easily with plenty of road to move through. Mile 2 /6:17
There was a little jostling for positions in this mile, as some men passed me. Then another female and I began taking turns leading each other. She was young- 20something. She stayed mostly in front of me for the next 2 miles.
I had a guy who was slowing down a bit in front of me, so I cut in the left to pass.
He commented, "Couldn't wait for the corner, eh? Had to pass?" This with several other people around.
He commented, "Couldn't wait for the corner, eh? Had to pass?" This with several other people around.
I thought he was serious- he sounded like it. I didn't know what to say, and just replied, "I'm not a professional. Sorry!"
He told me he was joking...but I am still not sure. He sped up right at the corner, anyways :)
Mile 3 /6:27
I admit that I am a spitting runner on occasions, and today was one of those days. Had to clear out to breathe, and I do hope I kept if off the guy that was on my right! * hack hack* sorry!I noticed my Garmin read 19:30 something at 3.1 miles. Probably looking at my watch too much!
Younger female CHEERED as her MOM ran past us in the opposite direction with the leaders.
Mile4 /6:28
We hit a hair pin turn just before the marker- and I was thinking....How soon should I try to increase my pace? I thought it was too soon. Now I think I might have waited too long...or just wasn't aware I would slow a bit for mile 5. I reeled in the younger female I had been running with and tried to put some distance between us.
We hit a hair pin turn just before the marker- and I was thinking....How soon should I try to increase my pace? I thought it was too soon. Now I think I might have waited too long...or just wasn't aware I would slow a bit for mile 5. I reeled in the younger female I had been running with and tried to put some distance between us.
Mile 5 /6:35 do recall the alerts beeping quite a bit more for this mile.
Mile 6 /6:24
I was just trying to bring it in as fast as I could maintain. There is a corner to turn for the last loooong straight stretch. A gray haired dude passed me. Go, old guy, go! funny...He didn't look like a runner.
I was just trying to bring it in as fast as I could maintain. There is a corner to turn for the last loooong straight stretch. A gray haired dude passed me. Go, old guy, go! funny...He didn't look like a runner.
Last .29 / 6:29 pace
I thought this took forever...and the finish line clock was not visible until I was almost there. Still, I huffed to catch old guy and enter the chute at 40:21. It is so weird not to have someone clip a chip...
Post race
After the race I was handed a token for a free sundae at Dairy Queen...and headed to the refreshment table which had as much orange juice, lemonade or chocolate milk you could drink. (Dairy Mart was a sponsor). I got a bottle of water and headed out for a 4 mile cool down run (and some time to reflect on the race and pray), before I found a few other runners.
First, I met up with the daughter of the mother/daughter duo. She was very kind and congratulated me for pulling ahead of her. We chatted about whether we were happy with our results for a while and I met her mom who placed 2nd!
I thought this took forever...and the finish line clock was not visible until I was almost there. Still, I huffed to catch old guy and enter the chute at 40:21. It is so weird not to have someone clip a chip...
Post race
After the race I was handed a token for a free sundae at Dairy Queen...and headed to the refreshment table which had as much orange juice, lemonade or chocolate milk you could drink. (Dairy Mart was a sponsor). I got a bottle of water and headed out for a 4 mile cool down run (and some time to reflect on the race and pray), before I found a few other runners.
First, I met up with the daughter of the mother/daughter duo. She was very kind and congratulated me for pulling ahead of her. We chatted about whether we were happy with our results for a while and I met her mom who placed 2nd!
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| Talking with Jill (44) and her daughter. |
I also visited with another woman who I have seen before at the EWEB half marathon. (She was wearing yellow adidas - the Boston model - and I had to ask about them!) I look forward to racing with her again. She lives in Salem and we talked a bit about racing shoes, and her next marathon, NYC. I love races when you come away meeting new people!
A few more thoughts
God has been very good to me. I am very pleased with this finish time. Looking ahead at the next 4 weeks, I know there is a chance I might hit that sub 40 goal, but it's also very possible that I won't. The Prefontaine course is very hilly and not a place to go to PR. Still, I will do my best! After that race I will make a reduction in training, as there are BIG things (people) that will be needing my attention. I have committed to home schooling my first grader this year, and that will take at least as much effort as I have put into my training.
So... One adventure comes to an end, and another begins.
