5k #2 for the year is on the books. I did this race last year in sideways rain/sleet. Today we were treated to sunny skies, mild breezes and temps in the 50’s. Glorious.
Goal A: Beat my time at the Eggshell Shuffle.
Goal B: Beat last year’s time.
Goal C: Run strong and enjoy the day.**
The race loops twice around Big Bear and Little Bear Lakes on paved paths and a narrow sidewalk. Despite the crapola spring we’ve had so far, the day could not have been more beautiful. I went with capris, Boston tank and Zensah arm sleeves, all ninja black, since we wouldn’t be on roads and visibility was not an issue. I wore my oldish Newtons because after all the rain we’ve had, I suspected parts of the path may have been flooded/mudded out.
I lined up behind a woman who looked my age-ish and hung behind her, hoping she’d keep me from barreling out to fast. I lasted behind her maybe a quarter mile before my need for faster foot turnover won out and I passed her.
Lots of kids in this race, doing their trademark sprint/swerve/die/walk/repeat. While I might normally be the slightest bit annoyed by kids underfoot in a race, today I was delighted to have them there. This was my first race post Boston tragedy and I focused on embracing the beauty of the day and running strong to honor those who can’t.
I came upon a woman wearing a Detroit Marathon shirt and immediately thought she’d be faster but passed her as well. Although I felt I was holding back, Garmin showed a sub-8 pace. Faster than I knew I could hold. I cooled my jets and a guy in retina-searing hi-viz orange zipped past me.
While this course is incredibly beautiful, it isn’t particularly easy. The paths are narrow and undulating, featuring 3 wooden bridges and 2 nasty hills x 2 loops = the uphills wear on you.
By mile 2 I felt cooked. Hot. Hurting. Wanted to be done. My zen must must have been on holiday because I had no luck channeling it. The last half mile is the most challenging part of the course…where the two steep hills are and one mudded out slick spot. I soldiered on, reeled in retina orange guy and thought to myself “done in a few minutes, stay with it.”
In the final straightaway, retina orange guy came up once again and made me press hard to prevent being duded. As we blazed passed (author’s embellishment) a course marshall motioned for 2 walkers on their first loop to move over. One of them muttered “I guess walkers are second class citizens” as we passed.
I finished thinking I ran better than I did. I was about a minute faster than last year but 14 seconds slower than this year’s first 5k. To be fair this was a much harder course. But I would like to have paced this better. Still lots of fade.
But it was good enough for AG1. Second place went to the lady I passed in the first quarter mile and never saw again.
Final words: This race really stepped up with the awards this year. Last year there were medals for only 1st and 2nd place in 10-yr. age groups. This year they kept the 10-yr. increments but added a third place. First place swag was a pretty crystal paperweight and a $20 Dick’s GC.
**I was coming off night of the puking child and didn’t know it then but it turned out to be a night of the puking child sandwich, since I was up with Thing 1 the night before and Thing 2 the night after the race. A ‘meh’ 5k trumps 2 nights of a puking child every time.
Do you judge other runners by the race shirts they wear? Apparently I do. Congrats to all of this weekend’s racers! Cannot wait to read everyone’s reports!
Yeah, I think I judge people by what they wear too. But unless they are wearing a cotton shirt, they are usually faster than me (and sometimes even the cotton shirt wearers are faster than me to). Hahaha
What a gorgeous day!! I remember last year’s sideways rain report…so glad you didn’t have to deal with that again. Congrats on AG1!
I hope I never run a loop race, just sounds terrible to me.
Kovas it royally sucks to pass the finish and know you’ve got the whole thing to do again. On the other hand, you know exactly what lies ahead.
Retina orange guy. Love it. Yes, I tend to look at people and categorize them. I saw one girl at yesterday’s race in full tights and long-sleeved compression shirt. All I could think was that she’s going to melt in that (we had full-on sun). but sure enough, she passed me around mile 11!
Congrats on another great race!
Congrats on the AG award and a great race. Wooden bridges stink.
Nice job!! I don’t judge people on their race shirts, but I do judge if it looks like people are trying to look “too” good. You know, a little too coordinated, like they aren’t there to run, but to be seen. I assume they will be slower than me :).
I always enjoy reading your race recaps 🙂
Yes I’m definitely guilty of making judgements based on shirt/outfit.
Congrats again on the AG – I don’t know how you don’t pull your hair out on a loop course!
Great job on the AG award girlie!
Congrats on taking the top poduim stop in your AG
No, I dont assume, take me for example, I have completed multiple 13.1’s and dozens of triathlons, but I am a purely a slow, back of the packer.
You are on an AG roll!!!
Congrats on your AG win!!
I usually look at people’s legs. That to me seems more telling than the shirt they’re wearing.
PS- Love Retina Orange.
Congrats on the #1 in AG finish!! Love the crystal paperweight and especially love the Dick’s GC!!!
Bummer on the puking kids – especially on back to back nights. Not gonna lie – that is my least favorite part of being a mom!! Hope all are well now!!
Congratulations! Nice AG win! You’re Boston shirt intimidates! 😉
I always question the cotton shirt decision but that’s about it 🙂
Congrats!!!! PR’s are always awesome! Plus, you picked up hardware!
You are on a 5k roll here, Louise. Maybe this is your calling…for awhile anyway. I’m so impressed with your solid, strong efforts. And holy crap, you got some good swag in that 5k! I’m doing one in a couple weeks solely because last year I won a cake…I’m hoping for another :).
God I miss you!
Wow! Congrats on your solid race and first place ag!! Sounds like you ran the race well- I always want to die by mile 2 in a 5k. I don’t know if there is such a thing as better pacing… you give it all you can and it hurts!
Hi Marcia,
Great job on the AG award! 🙂 That course is rough. I’ve run it the past couple years, but skipped it this year since I’m still working on getting back in shape. Those hills are terrible. At least the weather was good unlike last year’s rain!
So exciting Marcia! I hope to one day get an AG1:) Maybe I need to be up with puking kids to run fast;) Yes, sadly I do sometimes judge runners by their race shirts. Especially if they are wearing the shirt for the race they are running that morning:) Rookie mistake:)
Looks like a gorgeous course, sounds hard. Congrats on the AG win! Such am awesome feeling! 🙂
I assume everyone is faster than me and am happily relieved at every person who isn’t. 🙂
Very nice award – congratulations! I hope spring STAYS.
Ooh, that’s some pretty good swag you won! Nice job! I absolutely size up people by their shirts, usually unnecessarily intimidating myself! Hope the Things feel better, my nephew has had that bug the past few days too. Yuck!
Congratulations on a great race and your AG win! I sometimes judge people by what race shirts they wear, especially if it is an Ironman shirt!
First in the AG: another race to remember, congrats!
Congrats! When I saw where that was I was going to ask if you had to do the hills. Yikes. Anne and I used to meet there to run, but in the winter, so I am not sure what it looks like in the daylight.
I don’t judge people by what they wear! LOL. I don’t even think I notice. Oops.
I bet running around the lakes is real pretty. I wouldn’t have guessed that the woman that you picked as near your age was the same age since you look so young.
Congrats on the first place win!
Sorry the kids have been sick.