This was totally unplanned but I ended up racing every weekend this month! After TransRockies I took it easy for 7 days and then started on my speed workouts gearing for the Houston Marathon in January. I've never done 800's before and I wanted to work up to 10 before the end of October. Since I have Palo Duro 50k in the middle of October, I knew I needed to get on it.
I'm loving the 800's. It has helped me so much especially mentally. Doing 3 5k's this month, I just kept thinking they were my 800's with out the breaks. It's working. : )
Labor Day, September 6: Ft Worth Running Club Labor Day 5k.
This race didn't get off to the best start. I had run 18 trail miles two days before, it started late, was hot, and there was a huge line for the porta-potties. I didn't get in my normal warm-up and just did a couple pick-ups in the parking lot. I was out of breath from the start and just tried to keep my pace from falling. I really, really wanted to break 23:00 but it was not to be. I got lucky though and no one in my age group was faster then me. (Let's be honest, I really just love winning, lol.) My brother was in town from Austin and did it with me. It was so fun to have him around (even if he did beat me) and he got to meet all my RAW friends.
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| My loot! That's a huge magnet! |
Total time: 23:28
7:33 pace, PR
1st of 56 females 30-34
19th overall female out of 373 |
| Mitchell, Me, Beth, Kelly |
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| Kat, Kelly, Me, Elizabeth Check out our medals! I did this race last year and it's a great race. It's really tough...two hills, one which is long and steep to the finish. It's very affordable and all the money goes to a great cause. Having no idea how to pace myself for a 10k I was disappointed with this race. It was fun though and I was definitely tired after that final hill! I just am still learning how to correctly pace my new speed and I didn't do so hot that day. : ) Total time: 51:30 2nd of 10 AG 30-34 8:18 pace, PR |
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| Troy, Kelly, Elizabeth, T.O., Laura, Me, Jay, Marty |
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| Me and Jay |
In the morning me, Kelly, and her daughter Brin, volunteered at the Addison Octoberfest 5k. It was really fun and I was so glad I had signed up to help. I took it easy in the afternoon and then went up to Keller with Jay, Kelly, and Brin for the Run in the Dark 5k. Kelly and I were really motivated to set PR's. I was determined to break 23:00 this time. It was crazy humid, but the sun was down and I was familiar with the course having run it two years ago. This was one of those runs that I will never forget. I felt so good the entire time. My lungs didn't start needing short, quicker breaths until about a mile to go and even then I could feel that my legs still had a kick in them. All I kept thinking was, "I'm going to do it! I'm going to do it!!" Yay, I did! (Kelly and Jay PR'd too!)
Total time: 22:53
2nd AG (30-39) out of 204 (second place by 2 seconds! The same girl beat me the weekend before.)
7:24 pace, PR
Saturday, September 25: Rahr Brewery Octoberfest 5k
Rain, rain, and more rain. Even a little thunder and lightning. CRAZY. It didn't matter, it was really fun. Ridiculously huge puddles, narrow streets because of cars, slanted roads, zero mile markers...still really fun. My buddy Byron asked if he could pace me but said I couldn't wear my watch. As annoying as it was for me to not know my distance or pace ever, I just trusted him and stayed as close to him as I could. He was yelling positive things to me the whole time and I know I wasn't the only one that benefitted from it. I didn't feel quite as good as I did for Run in the Dark but I knew we were keeping a faster pace. Even just 4-5 seconds per mile is huge in a 5k. Doing these 3 5k's so close to each other really helped me get a good feel for the distance and how to mentally handle it. I can't wait to take a little time off, keep up my track workouts and try again with some cooler (dry) weather.
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| Laura, Mike, K2, Christine, Me, Beth, Mary, Michelle, Brad, Doug, Troy, Susie |
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| Byron in front pacing me to a 5k PR! |
Total time: 22:40
5th Overall Female out of 350
2nd AG (30-34) out of 66
7:17 pace
This 5k was pretty expensive, $35...but you got free Rahr beer afterwards and there was no limit. I had 3 and felt like I definitely got my money's worth! : )
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| Michelle, Christine, K2, Troy, Susie, Laura, Doug, Me, Mary More medals for RAW! Laura got the best price for winning...that huge beer mug! |
After the 5k yesterday a bunch of us from the running club took off to Tyler State Park. We camped last night and then ran trails this morning. I got my 24 miles in and felt great. Those trails are really well maintained and fun. I felt pretty sore the first 6 miles or so but the longer I went the better I felt. First ultramarathon is in 3 weeks. Palo Duro 50k! I'm ready!
