Eggshell Shuffle Race Report

Categories: 5k, Jelly Bean Virtual Race, Race Reports, Racing, Runner's Knee, Running

I’ve had my eye on this race since the inaugural but for one reason or another never got around to running it until this year. I chose the 5k, since 2013 is the year of the 5k.

Heeding threats of limited parking, I arrived early and staked out across from this monstrosity.

Somebody was tailgating the race? By 7am the grill was already smoldering; the race posse wrapped in Bears blankets. Only in Chi-town.

Goals: I had no idea how to pace this. I can’t remember the last time I truly ‘raced’ anything. I vowed to not let my inner suck monkey get the best of me. I’d press and run my best, however pathetic that may be. Plus who knows how jerk knee will behave? The time is now to stop comparing my current self with a younger, faster version.

We had a fun pre-race blogger meetup. It was still considerably chilly. Not complaining.

Michel, Bobbi and yours truly.

Bobbi, me and Jen

Top left: Lindy and her son, Erica, me, Michel. Bottom: Nicole, Maureen, Kelly

The 5k went off 45 minutes after the half. After standing toward the back of the pack, I made myself move up because I promised I’d stop jacking around and run seriously for once. So up I moved. Not quite to where the whippets with the fluorescent orange arm sleeves hang out, but in that general neighborhood…kind of, somewhat…ok not.

We were off and I went batshit barreling across the starting mats. I knew it was too fast and I didn’t have a prayer of holding that pace but isn’t that the whole idea of a 5k? Balls to the wall?

The course was basically two out and backs. We ran a half mile out then turned around. The first murmurings of my suck monkey came in the second half of the first mile just ahead of some hills I blazed down  moments before.

Monkey: Why don’t you walk up and catch your breath? Um no.

Suddenly the vest I so didn’t need was cooking me alive. I spent the next half mile planning how I’d rip it off and whip it on the hood of my car as I passed…or at the tailgate bus…but they were all on the upper deck shouting from megaphones. Suck. It. Up. You can swelter for 20 minutes.

I glanced at my Garmin for the first and only time at mile 1. A figure quite foreign to me stared back. I haven’t seen it in training or racing in eons. Two almost perpendicular lines:

7

I ran a sub-8 pace for the first mile? I was overcome with delight. Or maybe it was fumes from the tailgate bus.

We trudged across muddy grass to the path for the 2nd out and back which was hard into the wind. I slipped, cussing under my breath, one with the agony, but not giving up. Finally the turnaround. I tried to find the sweet spot between running as fast as possible (not fast, believe me) and puking (my specialty).

I finished and accepted a medal from the most adorable, angelic blonde little girl, then slunk away so I could dry heave without scaring her.

Finish time: 26:25

Never in my wildest did I expect this: AG 1/20

Gender: 31/290

Overall: 69/418

Swag was good: Can’t beat a cute medal for a 5k. I’ll probably never run in the Nike Tempo shorts we got  but I appreciate the effort  to find something other than a tired shirt. AG award was the bottle and an assortment of Power Bar products. I did not hang around for the egg hunt.

Final words: Finish time aside, overall I am pleased because I stayed engaged mentally and did not give in to the suck monkey. I thought the race was fun and well organized. Both races started on time, the course measured correctly, food and swag were good. I would run this one again.

This race also counted as my Jelly Bean virtual race over at Run with Jess!

 

How Do You Choose a Race?

Categories: Race Schedule, Race swag, Racing

It’s January and race calendars are filling furiously. I signed up for a whopping one race (Wisconsin Half Marathon) so far! But I’m shopping and that may be half the fun.

Last year my goal was to have fun and pretty much stay in half marathon shape all year with a build toward a fall marathon.

This year I aim to reacquaint myself with some speed and strength via 5k.

These are the main elements I consider when committing to a race. For this exercise let’s assume the type of race (5k, 10k, tri, etc.) you want to do is a given.

1.  Location. Do you aim to race locally? Destination race? Do you look for certain times of year? Particular weather?
2. Swag/Bling/Amenities. How important is the shirt? The medal? Are you looking for something unique like shorts/arm sleeves etc. instead of a shirt?
3. Price. Are there races you simply will not do because the price is too high? Or is sky the limit if other parameters are in place?
4. Friends/Peer Pressure. What percent of races do you do with friends or sign up for because of friends?
5. Date. Are there times of year you race the most? Do you schedule races around the rest of your life or vice versa?

Here’s how I ranked them, most important to least:

• Distance. I like to race close to home whenever possible. Unless it’s a bucket-list destination race or a girls’ weekend race junket, I like to keep it convenient. I detest $$$ parking that comes along with big city races-like Chicago.
• Date. Unless it’s a bucket-list race (like MCM was last year) typically I schedule races around other events so the dates need to work for me. I also shy away from races in the heat of the summer.
• Friends/Peer Pressure. I love me some girls’ race weekend fun. But I’m totally fine racing on my own too, especially if I’m in hot pursuit of a PR or have pace goals. That said I’ll pay a hefty race fee and travel great distances for a rocking race weekend with friends.
• Price. IMO some races are overpriced For what some of them are charging, I expect we’ll see semi-precious stones studding the medals soon….what?  You don’t think so? Sigh. Price elasticity of demand I guess. They’ll keep charging as long as we keep shelling out the dough.   If prices are high, I have very high expectations for swag/bling, etc. If it’s a bucket list race (hello NYCM) I will pony up with the rest of the sheep and take another mortgage out on the house to get in.
• Swag/Bling/Amenities. I love me some bling, I really do. I like it as a remembrance of the day. The race shirt does not matter to me. Unexpected extras (like a fleece hat or socks) are always a nice surprise but not necessary. But if the race is close by, at a desirable time of year with a reasonable price, I am there. The first three years I ran the March Madness Half there was no medal. The first 2 years I didn’t even get a shirt. Apres race food and entertainment is not a huge issue for me as I usually have little to no appetite after and do not stick around long. Ironically I find that the smaller, more reasonably priced races are the ones that often have the thoughtful extra swag.

How do your preferences rank? Would you pay more for exceptional bling? What race tops your bucket list?

Balega Socks giveaway is here if you missed it!