Race / No race / Gobble anyway!

This is the first time in a few years I will not be racing on Thanksgiving. 

I love a good Turkey Trot, (especially a flat, fast, race); but, my family wanted to stay home.

5k PR that almost didn't happen-Springfield Turkey Stuffer

I have been training for the 5k using a combination of workouts and some races as workouts.

My first 5k this year was 20:10 on 3.08 mile course in July. Since then I have raced four 5ks and one 6k trail race.  God has blessed me with some very good races this fall- and some very valuable learning situations.

I actually think I hit my peak around this race, but rested, then tweaked things enough to hang on to most of my fitness for few more weeks.

Pre-race complications, mistakes and mishaps (always more interesting than the actual race

My husband and I had discussed it the day before, and if the weather was dry, he needed to be able to work on our garage roof. I am so grateful he can do that type of thing! I would miss him, but this roof is needed.

I love this hard-working man!!

I called my dad to see if he would be willing to watch our boys during the race, since he already had our race packets (Out of town race and no race day packet pick up). He was happy to. My dad is awesome. 

Race morning I got ready to leave with just enough time that the boys would not have to wander long in the cold.  But, as I got ready to leave I found out the car was on EMPTY and it was Thanksgiving day.

Our town's one gas station was closed, but my husband scrambled around and found the gas can. Thank you, Honey!!

Somehow I made it 20 miles to the next town, got gas and discovered that my three year old had to use the potty - just as I was ready to drive off. Taking young children to races is not always easy. 

We arrived at the race with about 10 minutes until the start.

The parking lot was full, (as I should have expected for one of the largest races in the area), and I drove back and forth searching for a place to park on the road. The Lord gave me some peace, and at this point I realized I very well might not be racing...(but I was reconciled to just have a fun swim play day with the kids at the wave pool)...

I couldn't just park and leave the kids in the car. My dad was supposed to meet us inside the parking lot, which was crowded, and I didn't have a phone to get a hold of him. Somehow he spotted my car in the road, and we quickly changed spots. I grabbed my race shoes from the trunk and the packet from my dad.

I asked the first woman I saw, "Where are the porta-potties?" She just looked at me funny. I later found out that there were some outside restrooms far across the parking lot near the finish line. I had no idea of this, so I headed away from the crowd and looked for a somewhat secluded area with lots of vegetation. 

Here is where I took care of business, stripped off my tights down to my shorts, changed shoes, pinned on my bib and zipped on my tag. I stashed my other shoes and pants under a bush. Then, I jogged quickly to the start line as the RD announced "Two minutes to the start." 

Still not warmed up, I did some jogging and very short sprints in front of the start line. (Normally I do at least a mile - away from crowds- and then some strides). This was one of only a few races I have been to where it was announced that, "If you aren't going to run five minute miles, you should step back from the line". I lined up about the third row back, as there was no start timing mat.

The race

When the gun went off, I still did not feel warm...but it no longer mattered. People much faster than I were flying out of the gates..

I thought my watch was running (it wasn't), and I held the lap button down to start a fresh lap. A few moments later I looked and it read 0:00. Ooops.. I started my watch a little late.  Then I saw a friend of mine and decided to tuck in behind her. My watch was reading just under 6 MM, and I was surprised to see my friend shooting for that pace..surprised, but happy. 

We hit the first mile in 6:02 range.  

I stayed behind her and kept an eye on my pace, but saw it drop into the 6:10's. As we ran mile 2, it was interesting to see so many people ahead and beside me. There were some moves to be made and wiggling to  be done. 

As we got close to the second mile, I passed my friend and said "hi" at the same time. She cheered me on, and I hoped she would come with me. We lost some time in this mile, but wasn't sure how much. 

In the final mile, I knew I wouldn't break 19 minutes, but that I might still PR, so I focused on that: Just going hard and that there was only a mile or so left. 

I passed another female in team racing gear with maybe 1/2 mile to go. As we got back to the parking lot, I started looking for the finish line. 

There were mats, but no clock to read- and I knew my watch was off- (though it did beep for mile 3 a ways before the mats).  I found my anaerobic gear and passed a guy, but then got passed by the girl I passed earlier. :) When I crossed the mat I had no idea what my actual time was.

My boys and dad found me and gave me some big hugs! They were chilly, but it was wonderful to see their smiles. I found out a little later that the first female (Alex Kosinski) won in 15:51,  the first male (Craig Leon) in 14:52. 

                                                       I might discuss this data in a future post. ^

Post race

A soon as got my stashed stuff, the boys and I went into Splash, (a swim park where the race finished). They had a snack and then we got in our swim suits and played for about an hour and a half. The best part about this race is that if you register, you and your family or friends can swim at splash for free. This place is a treat for my kids and it was a fun way to spend a Thanksgiving morning.      

My dad went and checked on the results while we played in the pool, and also picked up an award I didn't know I had earned. I had finished in 19:13- a PR by 7 seconds. I'll take it!

After swimming we were eager to get back home for our family Thanksgiving celebration. I stopped for coffee at a drive through, and then saw a good deal on gas. Ready to turn left, I cut over to the R lane, and narrowly missed clipping a state police car. Somehow a very nice lady officer let me off -- Though maybe she saw my sleeping three-year-old and decided to give us all a Happy Thanksgiving gift. As I see it, that was better than a PR.

***********

Other info

Springfield Turkey Stuffer

Official results

• This used to be a certified course, but it looks to be expired, and the course start/finish has been shifted a bit
• 1324 racers- lots of families! 
• Mile markers were well placed and easy to see 
• The Turkey Stuffer is probably the best 5k course around in regards to flat and fast. I would love to see someone's garmin map though, from this year, just to see what the distance measured. 
• Kids can race this 5k for FREE, adults are 15$ without a shirt. 
• Proceeds from the event help fund Willamalane's free summer playground program
• Parking is HARD to find unless you get there early

Just a few pics, Turkey part 2

My oldest was asked (by Emily), what his goal for the race was. He wanted a 200M in under 1:30. I think he got it!

He also experienced his first watch malfunction during the race. Just need to note that I did NOT encourage the watch part! :)

I have to sneak this second photo because Nathan HATES it..and he is wearing the pants I packed for Matthew (who happens to be wearing shorts).
Priceless memories :)

My dad brought his camera. Thanks for the pictures, Dad!

Matthew really surprised me by being SO grown up, and seriously had fun in the race. I am PROUD.

4 Miler - Eugene Turkey Trot 2011

The night before the Turkey Trot 4-miler (Thanksgiving Day, 11/24/11) in Eugene, I decided that I might lace up --for fun.  I had won a free entry at a race in August. The Sunday before (11/20) I had raced a PR half marathon, but felt surprisingly good considering. Last year it had taken me almost a week for calf and quad soreness to disappear after the same HM. But free is free, and I like it.

When I found out that there was a 200M kids race, my hubby and I decided to have both older boys do that race instead of having the oldest run the 4 miler with me. Truly, I think that was a wise choice for their benefit. Maybe in a year, or two, Nathan (almost 7) will be ready for 4 miles.

I really did nothing special for food or hydration prior to this race, since I didn't know if I would even run it. Coffee with milk and sugar, and part of a cinnamon roll for breakfast.

My dad brought me about a half an hour early for the 9am race, and I registered quickly and easily, then did an easy mile to keep warm.

While warming up, I ran into Emily (who was also at the EWEB half, is training for an ultra, and also had won a free entry to this race). We finished warming up together and chatted and discussed race goals. Neither of us really was too sure about how hard to race after last weekend.

Finally it was time to line up and we headed near the front. It was a narrow start to a lollipop (with two sticks) route.

The start/finish is essentially in the same location as the Butte to Butte 10k finish, and the USTAF certified course follows a stretch of the bike path that the EWEB half uses. (Eugene has a lot of races that start and finish in the same locations, but may go in different directions on the river path.)

The RD had a few words to say and encouraged anyone faster than 5 MM to go to the front, but no one moved up. Someone dressed as a Turkey did, though. :) During this time I decided to go ahead and aim for the McMillan Calculator prediction 6:20 pace. I would know when I was running if that would be doable or not, and back off if I felt like it was too much for today.

And the gun went off. I tried (without much effort) not to make the first mile a dead sprint. Multiple tight turns and bridge crossings made this race a challenge. I tried to run the tangents, but evidently not very well!

After the first mile, a woman passed me. I knew there were at least 2 ahead of me now. She took the surge and got a good 20 yard lead.

 

Racers spread out and we ran over wet exposed aggregate covered in leaves. I was a bit nervous of slipping, but tried not to think about it. Finally we hit the hairpin turn right before mile two.

More leaves, more winding bike path, and past the Science Museum, and we were closer to mile three, with the other female still ahead of me by 20 yards. The first woman was too far ahead to see.

The race took us over the artistic DeFazio bike bridge twice. (Note the spiral on and off ramp.)

I wasn't sure if she knew I was getting closer to her, until we hit the wet aggregate again. And a BIG leafy, loud puddle. That was a giveaway and I had lost my chance, as she picked it up a bit from there. Up, around, and over the bike bridge heading to mile 4. Only one big turn left and an uphill and downhill to the finish.

My watch beeped at 4 miles a little before the finish line, and I headed into the shoot strong, in 25:52. Not perfect, but very good for the day, all things considered.

splits: 6:23, 6:27, 6:19, 6:20, last .07@ 5:53 (Gun time 25:51, 6:28 average (also my 10k PR pace, slightly irritating) :/ )

I congratulated the woman just ahead of me, made my way towards my dad, and looked for Emily at the finish line.

A short while later we were all in the Lamb Cottage eating cookies and hot soup or chili. It was a nice spread, perfect for a cold day.

I spotted Jon and the boys, who had just arrived for the 10am kids race. My kids were dressed ridiculously for 40F, since they had packed their own bags and had not packed jackets or long pants. (My fault for not doing a better inspection or leaving the backup clothes out for Jon.)

My kids packed their "racing clothes"- shorts and T shirts for a 200m race. :) , so we borrowed warm clothes from grandma's stash and also put on pajama tops.

Luckily there wasn't much time between their arrival and the kids race. It was just long enough for us to visit a bit.

It brought me great joy to see Nathan and Mathew run the 200m race and cross with SUPER HUGE smiles. All of the children seemed to have a great time and there were ribbons for every kid there!

The 4 mile award ceremony went quickly, as there were few people left to receive an award. (Most had left to join their families). The top male and female each won a frozen turkey, and the top 3 each got a pie, a day-glo sweatshirt and glass race medal. Age group winners (top 3) received a glass medal as well.

I was honored to place in the top three with such ladies as Jane Rudkin (23:58), and Colleen Carter-Cox (25:44). Top males were Zachary Holloway (21:57), Shane land (22:02) and Ben Harter (22:26).

A few thoughts:

• Though I prefer to approach each race as a "goal race",  it was nice to race without any "real" expectations.
• This is the closest together I have ever ran two races. I was surprised at how resilient I was from the half, but know I am capable of a much better 4 miler. I would like to try this some year during a 5k training period.
• Although there were some factors that slowed the course down, I enjoy the bike path in Eugene. Skinner's Butte park and this section of path is scenic, and parking and play areas make it a great location for a race/start finish.
• This was a GREAT cause for a race: fighting hunger through Food for Lane County. Registration fees were donated, as were other food items racers brought in.
•  It was a very special race to have my husband and kids, and my dad, there.