I entertained blowing this one off. It was a crazy night. A house not a half mile down the road was leveled by a gas explosion, taking 6 other homes with it. 20 houses on fire in all. The loudest, scariest sound I’ve ever heard in my life. It took me hours to settle down and go back to sleep. Plus I had no idea what the extent of injuries were at race time.
I mentally kicked myself in the pants for signing up. Then I went. A ‘strong aerobic’ workout was on schedule anyway. Plus the race was just 10 minutes away. Too convenient to pass up. Two loops around 2 lakes, on a winding, undulating path. No chip timing, no frills.
We lined up. I tucked in mid-pack so as not to go blazing out.
My goal: Honestly I didn’t care enough about this race to have any real goals. Just try to even out my splits and give it my best effort.
A guy pushing a double jog stroller set up in the second row. Really? I’ve been a jog stroller mom and would never, especially on a narrow bike path. Get over yourself Flo-Jo, it’s a small neighborhood race.
Off we went, me all boxed in, but that’s ok. Lots of kids bobbing and weaving. A man in velour sweats fades quickly. The first mile felt easy, I was preoccupied with the house explosion. A cute little guy ran with his dad until his dad pooped out at about the 1 mile marker. Then little guy ran just ahead of me, looking back every 5 steps. Each time I’d pull up along side him, he’d step in front and cut me off. This was cute the first time, obnoxious the second time, and I fought the urge to trip him by the third. Rather than be the ‘get off my lawn’ type, I kept my mouth shut and wore him out instead.
I set my sights ahead: Lady in a purple Athleta half zip I coveted all winter but never bought started ahead of me and was holding her ground nicely. Team World Vision lady was ahead of her. They will be my rabbits.
Mile 1: 8:20. Good enough. Slower than last week, but maybe now I’ll have a little something left for the remaining miles. Team World Vision lady’s walking. So much for my rabbit. The first loop went by uneventfully and approaching the 2 mile marker, I’m gaining now on purple half zip lady. As I pass her I hear she has a rhythmic grunt going on like many female tennis players do. Steffi Graff comes to mind. Was Steffi a grunter? I think not. But purple half zip is now Steffi Graff.
I’m hurting now and I hear Steffi falling further and further back.
I try to distract myself with the beauty of the lake, the sparkling water…. yeah not working….this sucks…I’m never doing this again.
We approach the final bridge (there are 6 of those effers in this little 5k) and negative self talk comes bubbling up, something about my current state of fatness, questionable fitness, etc. As soon as I’m across the bridge and entering the hilly final half mile, I snap out of it and replace the fat thoughts with ‘Piece of cake. Pick up your feet.’ It’s a 5k, not brain surgery. I badly want to walk on the hills. But I don’t stop. I badly want water. Nope.
The final .10 is a sweet straightaway. Except there are two women out for a leisurely stroll walking 2 across and not budging. The path is hard against a hedge on the left so I have to veer all the way right on the grass to pass. I plan on just plodding in, until I hear the grunting. It’s Steffi launching a sneak attack behind me. Oh gosh Steffi, no. One of the reasons I make myself do 5ks is to practice running when I’m really hurting and pushing hard when I want to die. In the past I may have let Steffi race ahead on her merry way. This was not that day. I picked it up. She picked it up. It was an all out dogfight to the chute and I’ll be damned if I was going to let her win. I pretty much knew she wasn’t in my age group, but still I couldn’t let her beat me. I would’ve thanked her for pushing me, but I was holding my breath so as not to puke (I swear it works–best discovery ever).
Finish time: 26:30. 16 seconds better than last year. Almost a minute better than last week, and this was a much harder course. Light years from my best but I’ll take it for early in the season.
AG 1. No clue on field size or overall placing since official results haven’t been posted.
Last words: This is a fun, low-key race. Holy swag Batman for a small, cheap ($25) race. The only disappointment was the unisex tech shirt. In previous years it was cotton tee and I like to get an M for pj purposes (sexy, I know). The medium tech shirt is huge, mannish and will never be worn. But I’m over it.
Are you aggressive at the finish of a race? Next Up: Flying Pig 3-way.
That gas explosion sounds so scary and just plain horrible. Yikes.
Great great job on the race! You earned it! What with those ladies not moving? How annoying!
UGH, you’re so close to that BOOM! A friend of mine lives about eight miles away, and he said it shook his house. *le whew* Glad you’re okay. 🙂
What a fine finish! I think it’s the funnest part of the race when you can gallop someone down after they’ve tried to take you on in the last bit. I was finishing out the run of a small sprint tri a few years ago, when I heard a woman on the sidelines yelling and pointing at me, “ARE YOU GOING TO LET *HER* BEAT YOU, ANDREW?!”. All I can say is ‘sorry ’bout’cha’, Andrew’.
Awesome race! Glad you didn’t let Steffi catch you :-).
Great finish time considering all the obstacles you had in front of you. Another reason I don’t like 5Ks very much. I do love your thought processes during your races, because I do the same thing…name the runners ahead of me. Makes me laugh (inside where no one can see it :P)!
You rock – that is all! 🙂
Awesome recap! Congrats on the win! Can caveman wear the shirt? And cotton tees are the best for pj wear.
Great work! Especially in not letting Steffi pass you. I probably would have let her but you’re made of sterner stuff.
I always love your race recaps. Nice job not letting Steffi pass you! I cannot imagine how scary that gas explosion must have been – glad you and yours are ok!
Wow, I do not know if I would be able to calm myself down to sleep and run after a night like that. Great job pulling it off!
WooHoo – great job!!!
I might be just a tiny bit aggressive at the end of a race – my motto probably gives it away – Run to Win! (a big part of why I don’t race much anymore)
That Steffi has really let herself go to the toilet – way to kick her ass, L!
Awesome trophy!!!
What a scary prequel before the race but congrats girlie!!
Woohoo! A whole minute off is huge, and on a more challenging course- what a great confidence booster. Congrats!
Holy crap about the gas explosion!! That is terrifying. I probably would have run, too, just to work out some of that anxious energy.
I’m usually not very aggressive in races until the end, but 5ks I usually go all out the whole time. I had a similar race with a young kid once, but he tapped out after about a mile and a half and I annihilated him…it’s sad how proud that makes me.
Congrats on your race! And, BTW . . . . by default I usually register for a Large men’s shirt and give it to my DH or one of teenage sons, cause I’m tired of getting ugly, boxy shirts I’ll never wear. Now, if I know BEFOREHAND, it will be awesome, I get the ladies! That being said, I still rarely wear them because I like sleeveless!
If I wore velour sweats I might be more aggressive
Oh my Gosh, that gas explosion is SO scary! I cannot even imagine! So glad you got some good swag and had a good race…although, the tee shirt thing is definitely a disappointment!-Ashley
That’s terrifying – I hope there weren’t casualties and I’m glad you and your family are safe!
Congrats on an awesome race, despite what sounds like a course determined to trip you up! Seriously – bridges? Jog stroller? Grunter?
So awesome Marcia! Great job! There is no way you were going to let that grunting lady pass!
A good race always includes a Steffi and a man with velour pants! Great job.
I saw some footage on the news today about the house explosion. That was crazy and so amazing no one was seriously injured.
That is awful about the gas explosion! Did anyone in the house make it out? I sure hope so. And I hope the people in the other houses got out in time.
Congrats on your 1st in AG! 🙂
Oh my goodness! My brother-in-law lives in Vernon Hills so I had been eyeing this race myself! I had no idea that the course was so challenging. HUGE CONGRATULATIONS on taking 1st place in your AG!!! WAY TO PUSH THROUGH!!!
I really do love your race reports, too. Your train of thought is always so relatable!!!
Great race report and kudos for holding off Steffi! Love that you give fellow racers nicknames – makes racing so much more fun. Nice trophy, too!
What a great race recap! I thoroughly enjoyed your play by play!
How scary about those house explosions. I am so sorry for those folks who lost their homes. I am glad you are safe.
ON FIRE, Woman!! and so scary about the gas explosion- i’m glad you were okay. and to answer, i’m only aggressive if there is something left in the tank. The last 5K, there wasn’t anything left. half marathons, usually so.
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