Well, my fall of racing into fitness is almost done, and it has been relatively successful. Case in point: yesterday's turkey trot.
The race was less than a week removed from my previous 5K, but I did get in another run in between (on Tuesday, after I got back from Arizona ... even though it was way shorter than I was hoping).
The weather was actually gorgeous yesterday; almost too warm, really. I think temperature at race start was 61 degrees? Definitely would have been too warm had I run the 10K.
Anyway, I woke up fairly easily despite getting to bed way later than I would have liked to Wednesday evening. I ate breakfast and headed up to Broomfield early so as to get a good parking spot (and find out the best area that was not only close to the race but also allowed me to exit easily as I had to go pick up B from the airport immediately after). I did stop at a 7-11 so as to get a pre-race snack of Pop Tarts, since eating breakfast at 6ish and running at 9ish meant that I knew I'd need a tiny bite in between.
I got my packet, chilled out in the car, ate my Pop Tarts.
With about 20 minutes to go until race start, I left the car to head to the start line. And also take a selfie with an inflatable turkey.
There were pace signs in the start corral, but I couldn't really find many of them and I didn't really know how things were going to go, so I just found myself a spot somewhere in the ... upper third of things, maybe?
9am rolled around, and off I went.
In theory my goals for this race (which I forgot about), were to:
- have fun
- sub-:30
- in and out
I ended up hitting two of the three, and had I actually remembered I wanted to hit sub-30 ... well, I might have tried to push a bit harder, though I'm not entirely sure that would have been possible.
First mile was fairly speedy, but it was also pretty much completely downhill. Unlike in AZ, I wasn't able to run all of the first two miles - first walk break was about 1.3 in. I tried to keep the breaks as short as possible, though, and push it a bit more when I was able to run.
I was a little frustrated with how much I wasn't able to go, but I kept a close eye on my watch to keep me averaging sub-10 per mile. Which I managed successfully.
Final Stats:
Time: 30:10.8
52/251 AG (F30-39)
186/956 gender
448/1661 overall
All in all, I'll take a race :30 quicker than the one a few days prior.
Plus, you know, a medal and free pie.
Just one more race remains on the schedule, and that's the Colder Boulder in a week. I've got three runs on tap prior to race day and I'd like two of them to be around three to four miles (at MAF) to attempt to get a bit more endurance under my belt. Biggest goal for that race is to hit sub-30 again, which I think I can do. I've run the race once before, back in 2015, and I did 27:45. I don't think I'll hit close to that, but I'd like to do my best.
First of all, if this post has glaring issues, I just got a new laptop and HOLY EFF is it finicky. Also Windows 10, which can suck a big one. Because it is TERRIBLE. So there's that.
I probably really shouldn't even count this one, because, much like the Avs 5K, it wasn't officially timed. However, the distance was at least close - 3.08 miles as opposed to the 2.7 or whatever the Avs race was. So I'll count it.
I talked Brandon into doing this one with me, as yay, fun. I also got to run into a SMASH teammate afterward (who KILLED her first Ironman the next day!), so that was nice.
I didn't have my camera on me, but I had my phone, so pictures were taken ... pretty much for the purpose of this blog.
Brandon hanging out pre-"race".
Hooray!
The race itself was a little lollipop loop, running a bit of the actual IMAZ run course, crossing the actual finish line (although it was decorated for the Ironkids race that went off after us). I had flashbacks to that night in 2013, running along Tempe Town Lake and also up the hill, making that final turn. That really was such a special day.
Stolen from Brandon's Insta story. Mid-race selfie over a bridge (that is not part of the IMAZ run course).
As for how the run *actually* went ... pretty well, surprisingly.
- I managed to run the first two miles without walking AND at sub-10 pace.
- Final mile was super rough (not surprising as, except for races, I haven't really been running over two-ish miles).
- It was three seconds faster than the Eerie Erie.
3.08 miles (okay, okay, 3.11) in 30:48, which is actually sub-10, so hooray! Progress! Maybe there is something to this MAF thing ...
Post-race feels, with my "athlete gift" of a water bottle.
Also known as my first ever two mile race. Automatic PR. Woo!
I spent the night before at Katie's house; partially because she lives less than a mile away and partially because I spent Friday up there hanging out with her post-surgery. It meant I woke up early Friday morning, got in a swim and some time on the erg, drove up to Longmont, and was super lazy the rest of the day, getting covered in puppy fur.
I had (super delicious) Thai food for dinner - no breakfast - and I had eggs without orange juice pre-race. I woke up in time to walk over to pick up my bib as soon as I could, around 7am, got my bib, and walked back to hang out in the comfort of friends pre-race. I headed back out at 8:45, thinking my race started at 9:05, when really it ended up being more like 9:15.
I talked to Brandon. I took a pre-race selfie.
I had a false start at the beginning, crossing over the timing mats, as we got stopped because one of the mats somehow got folded up. I started back up.
My legs felt rough at the outset, not used to moving so quickly. It's been a whole two weeks since my last race and I've been running super slowly using heart rate ever since. My average run pace currently is somewhere in the 13s as I trust this process ... and abandon it for races.
Still, they moved, and although it was painful, I got through the first mile without walking and just under a 9 minute pace.
The second mile was slower, and I'm really thankful this race was ONLY two miles, as it was rough. My Garmin had it a bit long (2.04), but whatever. Short races are AMAZING.
I crossed the finish line, grabbed my bottle of water, and kept on walking, right back to Katie and Thom's. I knew there were a lot of people running and I know I'm not one of the quickest around, so I didn't want to hang out for awards, figuring there would be no point. I hit my one main goal for the race - sub-20:00 - so I was happy.
Later that afternoon, looking up my results (and talking to a friend I saw running the 10K on facebook), I learned that I probably should have stuck around.
From my Insta story.
Final Stats:
Time: 18:31
2/29 AG (F30-34)
84/511 gender
242/965 overall
Apparently I got second. Was not expecting that. And, since the second place awards were perishable, I missed out on that, too. Which, I found out later, was pie. Dangit. I apparently get a certificate, though, and I'll be picking that up tomorrow.
So. To sum up, first two mile race, hit goal, automatic PR, placed in my AG. Not too shabby for a Saturday morning.
Also known as the continuation of the offseason ...
... kinda.
Onward!
Swimming: 2500m (1.55 mi)
Cycling: 16.43 mi
Running: 14.41 mi
Lifting: 12 sessions (3:26)
Other: one yoga session (:16), two walks (1:25), one hike (:35), two curling sessions (3:45)
See? Glorious offseason.
I think I swam and rode twice each. Obviously I intended on doing more, but clearly, nope. I ran a teensy bit (as given my recent race recaps) more than both of those. Mostly, I lifted. I am determined to make strength a focus again. I've backed off a bit on the TIU dailies ... because the amazing Erin Carson came out with an app over IM Kona and I'd totally rather do her strength work. The free trial period is ending I think by the end of the month, but I probably will pay the money for the programs because they are AWESOME.
You may have also noticed that the curling numbers popped up ... Yeah, we officially joined the Denver Curling Club so Sundays are now officially curling days in our house. It's not something that will keep us in shape, but it will be a fun extra activity.
That being said, I have deemed October to be the last of the lazy offseason. (I'm still full in offseason mode in terms of distances/effort, mind you). I want to get back into regular swimming and cycling (even if it's just 20-30 minutes at a time). I am also adding in other random cardio, like the elliptical and the erg and possibly even the stepmill.
More importantly ... I'm actually attempting MAF with the run. I've figured out that 140 is where I need to be given the 180-age+other factors formula so, on all of my training runs, that's what I'm gonna do. It will be a lot more walking than usual and a lot slower paces (yay 14 min miles!!!), but I need to get my run back and I'm going to attempt to do it the proper way around this time.
I will still "race" my 5Ks/2miler, though.
Wish me luck!
