Since it was a recovery week and all, what better time to sneak in a little racing action? I found a trail race pretty close to home. Images of russet leaves lit by golden sunlight danced in my head. Alas, race day dawned grey and blustery. And cold. And is that snow in the air? Um, yes it is. I arrived at the forest preserve, got my packet then huddled in the car until go-time.
Goals? I had none. I was too frozen to think of any.
I was this close to being a pansy and keeping my jacket on. 35 degrees with strong winds. Sleet one moment, flurries the next. Seriously?
Finally I peeled off the jacket and sprinted to the start line. An anemic shout of “go” and we were directed to charge across the grass “toward the red tree” to the trail. So charge I did, not too fast, I was saving myself for the rest of the race. I managed to make it onto the trail without much of a bottleneck and tucked in behind a girl in hot pink who was drafting off a beefy guy in tank and shorts. I shivered for him. We were off hard into the wind. Brrrr.
I was perfectly content behind hot pink and beefy. To my surprise, hot pink started lagging at about the one mile mark. So I passed and beefy and I were a pair. Isn’t he freeeeeezing? My top was zipped up as far as possible and I was grateful for thumbholes. Still no gloves, that’s how I roll.
The course was rolling. All the better for NYC’s infamous bridges. Mile 2 turned out of the wind and I took flight and left beefy. I was on my own now, closing in on a guy in dreadlocks. Not looking at my Garmin. I’d hoped the trails would shelter us from the wind but they cut across open prairie. Sleet cut my face.
Somewhere in the second mile dreadlocks pooped out too. I was closing in on pink knee socks guy and a girl ahead of him. How am I gaining on anyone? I’m dying! The third mile was hard into the wind again as we headed in. I told myself the pace I was running was good enough and just kept on. Knee socks was maybe 10 seconds ahead now but I didn’t have anymore. We looped around then charged across the wet grass again toward the finish.
Caveman and Thing 2 came to spectate but were staying warm in the car, not expecting me to be done for another couple of minutes. Ha!
AG 1/13, 3rd overall female!?!, fastest 5k of the year and just a few seconds shy of last year’s best but this was a tougher course. I will take it.
Shirt is a nice Dri-Fit one alas it’s on the small side and the logo is placed too far over so it goes in to the armpitular area. First world probs. This is a fun little race but conditions made it fairly brutal. Thrilled I ran as well as I did. Especially loved the hot chocolate mix and big ole bag of mini marshmallows in the goodie bag. Fun! There was also an LED arm band which is uber cool and useful. I swear small races have the best swag.
What’s the best race swag you’ve gotten? Congrats to this weekend’s racers! Did you race? One more day to enter my giveaway!
You rock, Marcia! Getting a PR on a trail course is saying something. I can’t believe it was that cold/snowy/sleety, though, this early in October. I hope it’s not a sign of things to come this winter!
Congrats!
Congrats on the AG! And I’m not wearing gloves yet either! Isn’t that what the thumb holes are for?
Congrats on a great race. This recap was fun to read, too!
Great job on the race, how awesome!!! I always enjoy reading your recaps- your descriptions of the other runners are hilarious!
Congratulations! What a great performance!
No racing for me, just a ride and a trail run, but it was a super fun weekend. 🙂
Congrats on your placement! I am totally LOLing at your descriptions of what everyone is wearing. I wore long sleeves to run that am and was too hot!
Congrats! I couldn’t help but smile Saturday morning thinking about you in that 30 something degrees and it was so HUMID for our race in Florida! I always run faster when it cools off, send some my way!!!!! Have a great week Marcia!
Congrats on third place! Fantastic! I love your descriptions of fellow runners that you picked off. Soon, 35 degrees for a race will seem warm! 🙂
Hahaha! I love the way you describe the runners around you. I was always observant of ones I wanted to pace with and ones I just couldn’t wait to get around but it’s way more amusing listening to your descriptions.
Hopefully your next run won’t be so wet and sleetish.
Fun race. Brutal conditions. Impressive results.
Best race swag. Trophies!! I like pint glasses. But
Nothing unreal is coming to mind.
AG 1/13, 3rd overall female, fastest 5k of the year – those are all great accomplishments!
I saw your FB status about the snow over the weekend – I’m beyond impressed that you not only ran but ran fast and won your age group plus 3rd female over all – awesome job!!!
Lordy, Louise is getting speedy! Maybe that coach is on to something after all, eh? 🙂 Well done, my friend! Very cool medal, too (love the stars). I wonder how come I do these trail 50ks and don’t even get a dang medal yet you are out there rocking the hardware….I’m moving to Chicago!! 🙂
Congrats, my friend. Bummed you’re not making it to CO…hopefully a weekend of girl fun soon!
xo
All that marathon training seems to be paying dividends with your speed. Or was it that you were just trying to get and stay warm? Congratulations. Great result.
Thanks Char. I think it was a little of both!
killing it!!! congrats!! best swag- hmm. perhaps all the 3M products at the 3M Austin 1/2?