Free to Breathe 5K Raleigh NC Nov 5, 2011

Free to Breathe 5K - "New" North Hills Course

I said I'd never do it again.  The Free to Breathe is one of the toughest courses I recall running since I started running races in the Raleigh area.  It was an uphill finish to what I recall being a not so scenic course, though I have to say all I really remember is the uphill finish.  This was on the NC State Centennial Campus and I ran it in 2009.  Actually I also recall that I had to park really far away and probably logged more mileage to and from the car when I did this race in 2009 than in the actual race.  Still it was a well put on event and for a good cause (lung cancer research).  So when I heard that it moved to North Hills I was optimistic that the course had to be better, couldn't be worse, could it?  And if I was going to run the series I had no choice but to run it since I'd already missed the Magnificent Mile since I was out of town and would be away again for the IOS Turkey Trot.

Free to Breathe "old" Centennial Campus course, for comparison - elevation visually not so different and the last mile is at least a 30 ft higher climb in the "new" course

Again I didn't pre-register but waited until race morning to do that.  I was pretty sure that I'd do it though since I had done 3 races already and while it was supposed to be cold, it was sunny and dry out so there was no good reason not to run it.  So I got up early and headed to North Hills.  I got a parking spot right in front of Harris Teeter, very convenient it turned out for avoiding the port a potties.  It wasn't too far from the start.  I got registered quickly and hung in the car a bit longer to eat some cereal and keep warm.  I met up with Linda and was able to give her the award I picked up for her from the last race, as well as get a few pointers on the new course...uh oh, another uphill finish.  Oh well, too late now.    

I warmed up and saw a few of the "usual suspects" who are running the series.  It's nice to see friendly faces in the crowd and have folks to talk to before and after the race.  It was also a nice change to have a bagel place right at the start/finish.  Usually there isn't a place to grab food after a race that is so close.  Now that is mighty convenient, almost worth running uphill for...almost.  This week the 1 mile fun run was first as well, just like the Monster Dash.  Then the 5K group lined up.  The "little" girls from last week skipped this race, thankfully, so I had a better shot at placing higher up!  I got up near the front of the starting line and chatted until the start.  

It was an uphill start which wasn't fun, but I tried to gain some ground there since I knew it would also be an uphill finish so I didn't want to start too slow.  I have to say I felt really good all through mile 1, with a split of 6:14.  Mile 2 was even better, winding streets with rolling hills and more down than up.  I kind of knew I was going maybe faster than I should since sometimes the current pace read under 6 mm pace (like 5:40) but since I had my Garmin on current pace I couldn't really tell overall how much faster it was until the end of Mile 2 when the split read 6:06.  Opps, maybe a tad too fast.  But still I felt pretty good so I wasn't too worried.  

That is until reality struck and I saw proof that "what went down must now go back up".  The third mile was truly awful.  No break from the hill, it was just up, up, up.  And believe it or not, it wasn't my legs really or breathing that were the issue.  But my arms were killing me, probably sore from trying to pump faster with no success to get up the hill.  I couldn't wait for mile 3 to end.  I talked to myself out loud (like a crazy person) to convince myself not to give up and not to lose it now.  I wasn't falling behind necessarily, or at least no more than anyone else.  I could still see Kim and Rodney ahead.  In fact I passed a few people early in mile 3, so I was running that mile comparable to the rest of the field.  But I knew I was slowing a lot so I just tried to go as fast as I could despite my sore arms.  I even removed my arm warmers in the last 1/2 to 1/4 mile hoping that would help in some way...it did not.  

Once I got to 1/4 mile left (there was a sign at 1/2 mile to go and 1/4 mile to go), I at least could feel the end in sight but physically couldn't see the clock until very close to the finish line, since it was around the bend.  By the time I could see it, I knew I didn't PR or even make a sub 20.  It was 20:15 when I passed through (20:14 chip time).  I was first and foremost glad it was over and secondly I suspected I was 3rd overall which was pretty cool, so I wasn't too disappointed.  Still I wished I had beat the clock to another sub 20 but knew that it was due to the course.  In fact in comparing the times with other runners who had run the last few races, it was very clear that this was a tougher course.  Even the first woman finisher had a time difference from the last race to this one of nearly 1 minute, so I didn't feel so bad.  

After the race I got changed quickly (at the handy dandy Harris Teeter), chatted a bit with Rusty, Rodney and Kim, and grabbed a bagel and hazelnut coffee (my favorite) just in time for the awards.  I was 3rd overall which was pretty cool.  I got a nice medal, similar to the one from 2009, plus a $15 gift certificate for a Road ID.  A great idea and I'd highly recommend getting one if you don't have one, literally it could save your life and certainly will help your loved ones to worry about you a bit less while you are running or biking.  But as luck would have it I already have 2 of them, so not sure I'll be able to use that gift certificate but hey it's the thought that counts!  I wished Rodney and Rusty luck in the City of Oaks Full Marathon which they were running and headed for home for another fun filled day with the kids.  Except for that last mile, the course was actually really fun and it's a great location.  So next time I just know I need to do some hill work to prepare!

Race Bling...3rd Female Overall

After thinking about this race and what I'd do differently, aside from hill repeats, I decided to update one of my Garmin screens to show current pace, lap pace (pace of the current mile) and overall pace all on one screen.  I am still debating whether to have the 4th spot on the screen show overall distance or overall time.  I am thinking I'll go with the time.  Hopefully this will help me to pace myself better without having to toggle through screens which it turns out is really hard to do at race pace.  I just hope I can keep all the data straight while I am running!

Triangle Run/Walk for Autism 5K, Raleigh NC, October 8, 2011

Triangle Run/Walk for Autism 5K Course

I had a goal this year of running a PR in under 1:35 for the half marathon, as well as a goal of running a sub 20 5K.  I achieved the first goal in March of this year and realized with the fun summer I had, I kind of forgotten to focus on my 5K goal.  Opps!  Thankfully I was focused on another goal of trying to get in decent shape (ie: comfortable in a bathing suit) for a beach trip in September, so at least I had started bumping up my running again by the end of the summer and really was able to get a lot of miles in during the beach trip.  I had the chance to run every day while at the beach, usually between 5 to 6 miles each day plus a long run of 10 once.  So while the fall race season did sneak up on me a bit, I was sort of ready to tackle a 5K.  I had been running in the mornings and found that 30 minutes almost every day was really not too hard to maintain and it really helped my training.  So I kept that up and decided to run the race that was my favorite of the Second Empire series.  No, this was not the Run for Autism, but was the Run for Healthier Babies.  I really liked that course when I ran it in 2009 and it was my PR for a while for the 5K.  However I figured I should have at least 2 races picked out so that if I blew one I'd have another shot at a PR, and maybe even the sub 20 goal.  My current PR was 20:34, which I ran in March at the Run for the Oaks.  I had run my half marathon PR just shortly afterwards but then there were no PRs to be had for the rest of the spring and summer after that.  I had only run a few 5Ks with Owen in the last 2 months so I really had no idea what I could do in the 5K.  I knew I was running pretty well since the beach trip but hadn't done any speed work or racing so it was anyone's guess as to what I'd run.  Could be sub 20, could be 22 or more.  But it was now or never because soon it would be winter, so the fall races were my best shot.  I decided to do the Run for Autism as a practice run before the real deal at the Run for Healthier Babies.  I didn't register ahead of time and was actually feeling a bit under the weather leading up to the race.  I had a sore throat and was sniffly the night before, not usually a good sign.  I set the alarm and decided to let fate decide.  When I woke up I did consider not going...who would really know, I hadn't registered in advance and had only mentioned to one or two people that I was running the race.  But in the end I decided to get up, take some more Advil, and just get out there.

I had my standard pre-race oatmeal, but no banana since we didn't have any at home.  I did have some coffee which I don't normally do before I run but tried it before my last few races and it seemed to help and today I needed all the help I could get!  I also brought some cheerios and milk to have before the race since I was heading out early to be sure I got there in time to register and get a decent parking spot.  I got there pretty early and registration was quick.  I parked right on Moore Square which was convenient.  One thing about the Run for Autism is there are plenty of port a pottys so that's always comforting to me.  I always always have to go multiple times before a race, likely all psychological but after my bad experience in Napa where I had to stop to go during the race which cost me a 3rd place age group win, I am even more nervous about it. 

I decided to do a short warm up by running around Moore Square and in the process of that saw a few familiar faces from RTR and other running circles.  I have to say it was nice to have a break from racing but it was just as nice to get back to it and see some running friends out there.  On the starting line I saw a woman who usually runs around the same time, usually a bit faster, than me.  I was feeling a bit nervous about the competition there and I knew if I had any chance of meeting my goal, I'd need to stay with her or ahead of her from the start or it would be all over very quickly.  I was very glad that the race started on time so as to not prolong my nervousness.  I also knew that I needed to run an even pace, not too fast at the start, which is what I typically do, but not so slow that I don't hit my goal.  The first mile would be the test, to see if I could keep just below the goal pace of 6:25 and still feel good enough that I could maintain that for the next 2 miles.  At the start I made sure I got out there fast, but watched my Garmin carefully to ensure I didn't go crazy.  I had done that in 2009 without really realizing it and looked up and noticed I was way too close to a few of the female front runners but instead of slowing down, I was delusional in thinking 'hey maybe I can do this' and then subsequently crashed and burned in mile 2 big time.  So determined not to repeat that I focused mostly on my Garmin and switched it to 'current pace' instead of 'average pace for the current mile', which is usually what I do.  But at the same time I made sure to keep an eye on that one particular person who I knew I needed to stay ahead of.  She was right beside me for the first 1/2 mile, which was distracting for sure but I was determined.  Once you give up, that's it, you can't usually get it back.  And physically as long as you feel ok, most of it is mental anyway.  I just kept my eye on my Garmin but ensured I didn't fall behind her.  At around the 1 mile mark she fell back a bit.  I didn't look back after that.  I knew that was a good sign for me and I still felt pretty good. 

As I entered mile 2 I noticed that the neighborhood the race goes through was really nice, which I had not really noticed in 2009 since I was too busy sucking wind.  I also was happy to not be running straight since the first mile is pretty much straight down Blount Street.  As I headed into the 3rd mile, I was starting to have difficulty maintaining the pace, even falling back to over a 7 mm pace for very brief periods on a hilly section.  But having my Garmin on 'current pace' really did help because as soon as I fell behind a bit I was able to correct it immediately.  Somewhere in mile 3 I passed a few folks that I know are pretty speedy so I knew I was doing ok, but was starting to feel I couldn't hold on much longer.  I was not looking at the total distance during the race because the screen on my Garmin that has the current pace doesn't have the distance on it.  Turns out that is probably a good thing because just as I was feeling that I couldn't hold on much longer, I looked in the distance and saw the glorious sight of the blue and white inflatable finish line (most of you know the one, it seems to travel around to all the local races).  I knew if I could see the finish I could certainly hold on until I reached it, so I gave it everything I had and sprinted, still not knowing even what the time on the clock was, because my Garmin also doesn't have the total time on that pace screen.  I thought I may be close to a PR and possibly even under the 20 minute mark, but as I got close enough to the finish to see the clock I got really excited to see it said 19 and change.  As I crossed the finish the clock said 19:5X something, so I knew I had made it.  I was more than thrilled.  I wondered what place I came in at that point, knowing it had to be in the top 8 or so of all women, and for sure I must have placed in the masters division. 

Unofficial results posted at the race

I spent the next 15 or 20 minutes chatting with some running friends about the race.  I looked for my friend Pauline to try to run a few more miles but when I didn't find her I didn't really have the energy to do it alone so I just decided to get changed and walk around Moore Square to wait for the results and awards ceremony.  I never did get to see the results before the awards as the moved the location of where they posted them without me realizing it.  So when the awards were starting, I asked someone where the results were and they told me that I had placed first in the masters female group.  Cool!  When my name was called I got my award which was a little paperweight marble thing with the race info engraved on it.  They mentioned that a gift card would be sent in the mail.  It was nice to win but I have to admit that I liked the hand made plates that were given out in 2009 better.  They were made by children with autism and it just meant more to me because of that. 

I drove home quite happy, with a PR, meeting my goal of a sub 20, a 1st place masters win and an overall place of 4th female.  I was really glad I got out of bed that morning to run the race.  My sore throat and sniffles did turn into a pretty yucky head cold on Sunday and into Monday unfortunately.  But it was worth it!  Now I was just hoping I this wasn't a fluke and I would feel better and could repeat this performance the next week, since I had already pre-registered for the Run for Healthier Babies!

The "race bling" is the the mail

P.S. - I was beginning to wonder if I mis-heard them when they said they'd send a gift card in the mail but about 2 weeks later, not only a gift card for $50 but a really nice plaque came.  Pretty neat!

Second Empire 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run, Raleigh, April 17, 2011

Second Empire 5K Course

This is the 3rd year that I have run in the Second Empire race, sponsored by Second Empire Restaurant in Raleigh.  In 2008 it was my very first race since moving to North Carolina.  My first race in over 5 years, since before Owen was born.  I didn't do too bad that first year, sub 24 minutes, given my primary training was on weekends pushing one of the kids in the jogging stroller.  That same year the kids both did the 50 yard dash.  In 2009 they didn't have the race since they moved it from the fall to the spring.  In 2010, I ran the 1 mile race with Owen and the 50 yard dash with Grace.  I skipped the 5K since it was soon after Boston and I wanted to focus on running for fun, just with the kids.  Good thing too because it was really hot and humid that day.  This year I wanted to use the race as one of my 5K's leading up to what I hope will result in a sub 20 5K before the end of this year.  I wasn't feeling confident that this was the race for that since I hadn't been really training, but I was hoping for a decent time and to have a fun day.  I was registered for the 5K and Owen and Grace decided that morning that they'd both do the 1 mile instead of the 100 yard dash.  I was very proud of them when they even said they didn't care if they got a medal or not, but just wanted to do the 1 mile.

O & G practicing their starting line pose

While I was proud of the kids, in looking back at the 5K race, I am both proud and a bit disappointed in my performance.  I really haven't had much time to run or train so I should be pretty pleased with my overall time considering this (20:49 gun, 20:47 chip).  It wasn't a PR (PR is 20:34), but it wasn't too shabby.  I accepted fairly early in the race that a PR wasn't in the cards, I just wasn't into it that day (late day race start, tired, sniffles, little running in the past few weeks, etc).  And at the halfway point I was well beyond 10 minutes so it was highly unlikely I would catch up and reach a sub 20.  Since those were really my 5K time goals (PR or sub 20), at that point I decided I was comfortable with just maintaining my place and not focusing much on time other than still wanting a sub 21.  

I figured that I would be second masters female overall since I knew the woman directly in front of me was in the master's category and I was sure the other women I had seen ahead were younger.  I felt just too tired and not motivated enough really to try to catch her.  However, the flaw in that plan was that I was completely wrong in thinking I was second masters female.  I was actually second OVERALL female.  How that occurred I have no idea!  I mean I know one contributing factor was that many of the super fast (i.e. sub 20) local women clearly had other plans that day.  We had tornados the day before which is highly unusual so that perhaps kept some away.  But how did I not know I was second overall?  I guess I just wasn't expecting it since it never happens and I swear I saw several women in front of me.  But when I finished Keith told me I was second.  I didn't believe him until I saw the results posted.  Had I known this I may have tried harder to close that 5 second gap between first and second.  It's really all mind over matter and I let matter win this time.  I always say I am a firm believer in the power of positive thinking (well at least running-wise) and not giving up in a race.  I think if I had been motivated more and wanted it more things may have been different.  Oh well, a lesson re-learned I suppose!

O & G practicing for their big finish

Waiting for the race to start

Waiting to cheer mommy on

Before the race we had a quick bite at the Flying Saucer, our official parking lot for the Second Empire race since we discovered how close it was to the start last year.  It's also a wonderful alternative to waiting in the port-a-potty line (you know I couldn't go an entire blog post without mentioning the port-a-potty!).  The race itself started off as any other.  I saw some running friends including Pauline at the start.  The race began and several men and a few women were ahead of me.  Pretty typical.  The race heads east on  Hillsborough towards the capitol, goes around it and heads back towards and past the starting line, west  Hillsborough, and back to the start again.  I recall in the beginning having issues with my Garmin.  It was reading sub 6 but I am sure I wasn't going that fast so was pretty focused on what was going on there.  However I swear I saw several younger women in front of me as we rounded the square at the capitol.  And I also swear that I did not pass any women along the way.  So how, you may wonder, did I get to be second overall then?  Well that is just what I'd like to know!  I can only assume that the few women I saw in front of me were just running the start of the race for fun or something and then dropped out.  Keith later confirmed at the 1 mile mark he also had seen other women in front, so guess they did drop.  Curses!

I ran the first mile in 6:29, so fairly on target for the sub 20 but clearly too fast for how I was feeling.  I was feeling slow and sluggish at the start of mile 2.  Yep falling back into that old routine of crash and burn in mile 2.  I don't know if allergies played a part or the warmer weather or the later start time or just that it was hillier in mile 2, but I just couldn't motivate myself enough to care more.  It showed in my split time, with a mile 2 split of 6:53.  I tried to refocus in mile 3 and to muster up some more energy to speed up.  I was somewhat successful and finished mile 3 in 6:35 and the last 0.1 or so in just over 6 minutes.  I really didn't feel too guilty for giving up on trying for a PR, afterall they can't all be PRs.  I also sort of felt I needed a break from chasing the PR.  Still the second place finish is both awesome and a bit disappointing because I keep thinking just maybe it could have been a first place one (well just maybe, but in reality the woman in front of me was looking pretty strong so maybe I couldn't have caught up anyway, but still....) and how often will that opportunity come up again.

The struggle to the finish, nice face!

Nearly done

After the 5K, they had the 100 yard dash but Owen and Grace decided they were doing the mile instead so we just watched that.  They felt like real big kids, watching the little kids run.  Results were posted for the 5K pretty fast so I knew I placed second overall before the kids races.  Keith had come to the 5K but needed to leave before the 1 mile to catch a flight to Germany.  So I hung out with the kids until the 1 mile race start.  Owen was excited since I told him he could take off and run on his own as long as he waited for us at the end.  Grace however started a meltdown before we even began to run.  "Carry me!" was her request, or rather demand.  No way, for a 50 yd dash yes, but not for a 1 mile little girl!  So she ran a bit but then got tired and was complaining and crying.  We walked a lot and I carried her a little.  In fact the only negative about the entire day was the female police officer bringing up the rear of the race actually made us move over onto the sidewalk instead of letting us run the race like the other kids in the street.  Yes we were last, but would it really have killed her to ride behind us, as she is supposed to do, and let us finish like the other kids?!  Really, what was the time difference, like 5 minutes?  Hillsborough had been closed all morning, what's an extra 5 minutes?  I hadn't realized there was a time cutoff for the 1 mile fun run, geez!  Quite disappointing but whatever, we didn't let it ruin our day.

Ready for the start of the 1 mile

Owen took off so fast that he was nearly at the front of the pack at the start!  It was really cool.  I was worried because he was so far ahead but we saw him after he turned around after the 1/2 mile point and he was still running and looking strong.  Grace pulled a Rosie Ruiz and never quite made it to the half way point, we just turned around when we saw Owen so we wouldn't be too far behind him.  Once he saw me he slowed and walked but I encouraged him to keep going.  At that point Grace took off, sprinting down the street (way to go Rosie!).  I guess the thought of beating her big brother was just too exciting!  That prompted Owen to start running again and Grace slowed and stopped, complaining a bit again.  Owen took off for the finish and I ran/walked with Grace to get her to make it to the end.  She was dead last, but everyone cheered for her.  Ok well correction, I was actually dead last since I knew she wanted to beat me.  Hmmm, first last place finish for me, but it was really fun!  In the end they got medals anyway for the 1 mile, which I was not sure they would.  They were really happy but more excited at the prospect of getting ice cream afterwards.

Owen looking strong just after the 1/2 mile point

Grace (aka Rosie Ruiz) seizing her opportunity to get in front of Owen

Owen doing a great job!

Grace out-kicking mommy

Race bling!

The 5K awards were held pretty soon after the 1 mile finished, so I got my second place race bling...$75 gift certificate to Second Empire Restaurant, which I will be using tonight, $35 gift card to TAF, and a nice engraved glass to add to my collection in my home office.  Not too shabby!  Once again a great race experience at Second Empire.  By the way, Pauline placed 1st in AG, with a time of 22:46, way to go Pauline!

Award ceremony

Going to Second Empire tonight...yummy!

My race bling

Next race...well pondering the Bunny 5K in Cary (new race from Lifetime Fitness) tomorrow AM but my calves are quite sore and going to Second Empire tonight, so we'll see.  I am still considering the Run for Our Heros 5K on Apr 30, depends on what kid activities are going on that day, and the 12 Oaks 5K on May 22 which benefits our local Kraft YMCA.  That is the same day as the IOS half marathon, but not really feeling quite ready for that one so I'll likely do the 5K.  I guess I'd better get back to training for the half soon though since I have the Napa to Sonoma half in July which will be here before I know it!

Looking too cute while picking at Second Empire...sorry guys!