I signed up for not one, not two but 3 turkey trots this year. Having Hurricane MIL in town will do that. Need to run off the crazy.
The first was yesterday. I hoped to get this one in before the monsoons set in, but the rain started as soon as I left the house. It was “warm” though. 46 degrees. Compared to zero, that’s plenty warm.
I got to the forest preserve and immediately recognized it. I’d done a TRAIL race here before. This was not advertised as a trail race. I was sort of prepped for something not paved, being a forest preserve and all, but not really. I wore old shoes anyway because of the rain. They filled with wet gravel just heading to packet pickup.
This was not a large race but one bathroom? Seriously ONE. For a few hundred people. No bueno. I mean really. Runners and potty, we go together.
Rain+muddy trails+I forgot my Spibelt so had nowhere to put my keys=I considered bagging this race. I really did. Then I gave myself an attitude adjustment and went with it.
Goals? Nada. Given that I’d not done a lick of speedwork since before tapering for NYCM, I was here for a workout. And an AG place is always nice, who am I kidding? The post-NYCM endurance base should be good for something, right?
I lined up toward the front (no chips) but not all the way. A guy I originally thought was a teen girl because of his long hair (I am getting old) was poised in front, looking like he was in it to win it (he did). We were off and everyone went batshit across the parking lot. I tried not get sucked in, but I’m sure I went too fast. A huge dude with cannonball calves blew by me as soon as I got on the trail.
I found my pace, sort of, and settled in. Men were all around me. As I came up on more than one, they’d keep looking back. Like over and over. I’ve seen people glance back before but not repeatedly. It was weird. Were my capris falling down? Let’s just say these guys did not seem to enjoy being passed by an old lady. As I passed one, he said “I’m out of steam already”and stopped at the water station. I heard a guy behind me shout “gobble gobble” every so often. Turns out he was saying it every time he passed someone. It became my mission in life to stay ahead of the gobbler.
So I kept on. Willing myself up the hills and throwing myself down the other side. Still no women in sight. By mile 2 cannonball calves was walking. Really? He seemed so strong. No more gobbles coming, that’s a good thing. The last half mile I heard lots of puffing and a guy pulled up along side me. He told me he spent the entire race trying to catch me. Me? Ha! So we ran together awhile, but then I heard the gobbler and brought it in.
Finish time: 25:57. AG1, 4th overall female. Not my best by any means, but looking back at the archives, I haven’t run a 5k faster since May 2011. The last time I ran this exact trail in a race (2012), I was almost a full minute slower.
Final words: I have a ways to go but, knock wood, I think I’m finally starting to get the crazy peri-menopausal hormones under control. I’m feeling better, losing a little weight (still more to go) and this run reflects that.
How was your weekend? Do you glance behind you when you race? Did you enter my giveaway?
good for you…enjoyed reading your recap. looking forward to the next 2.
Isn’t it awesome that we can do so many turkey trots in this area? I have had years where I’ve done three and love it. And there are so many options.
Congrats on a great race! And on your best time in a few years! 🙂
Speedy run. Good job.
WOW, great job on the 5k! And ONE potty? Yikes!!!
Isn’t the forest one big potty? Ha,ha!:) Anyway, congrats on the speedy time. I guess that irritating “gobble gobble” did some good after all by keeping you fast! 🙂
Awesome job Marcia! Seriously that gobbler guy sounds very annoying:/ I love it when guys say they tried to catch me in the race (and they weren’t able to);) I hope all these races keep the crazy away:)
Rachelle OMG I was totally annoyed by the gobbler guy! Isn’t that kind of a mean, arrogant thing to do?
Great job! I’m glad you didn’t bag the race and just went out there and had fun! No turkey trots for us this year, I think yesterday is enough for a little while, ha.
Congrats!!! That’s an awesome time!
Boo for crazy hormones! Very impressive that you were kicking the pants off the men. All of them.
Sorry your daughter didn’t get her braces off when she wanted them to but she will certainly be happy they didn’t come off early when the time comes 🙂
That gobble gobble guy would have really annoyed me if he’d passed me. Good job staying in front. And AG1!! Way to go! Sounds like you have more speed hanging on than you thought.
Not to shabby at all, especially on trails! Congrats on a great showing. And on getting the hormones under control–that’s huge!
Great running and a well deserved result. If you can do that so close to a marathon off no speed work 2016 is looking good.
Good job on the race and the AG win!!! And as far as the perimenopause thing…the past 3 weeks make me feel like maybe it isn’t perimenopause anymore…
I think that’s a great 5k time! Especially on a not-paved trail 🙂 Have fun with the remaining 2 Turkey Trots!
Congrats on your AG – especially on a trail! Not advertised as a trail race – BDTD – why do races do that?! So happy you stayed ahead of the gobbler – he was just so wrong!
I saw your status on FB over the weekend – WooHoo – great job on that race!!! So cool that you won your age group and ended up 4th female!!! And, glad you beat the gobbler!!!
Nice result considering the other plan was to head home. 🙂
3 races! Great– you can do one for me! way to go!! I still need to do a trail race– it’s been on my list for years! Post baby goal for sure!
Congrats on the age group win and 4th overall female! Awesome race!
Great job pushing through! And first in your age group and 4th female is amazing!!
What an awesome race!!!
I’d be tempted to stop just so I could knock the “gobbler” up side the head.
Way to snatch the fastest 5k in 3 years! Congrats!
Have a great Thanksgiving!
I’m so glad you beat the gobbler. I find him very odd. Who would do that? Congrats on a great time!
Hahaha – Char. I guess she expects you to train ALL through 2015 before you have a great year, huh? 🙂
Congrats, my friend. That is awesome! I ran a 5k the other day on complete ice and I was about the same time. Not looking forward to tomorrow’s 4-miler (no ice excuse).
Hope you survive Hurricane MIL. Miss you!!
xo
goodness, i’m SO far behind in my reading.CONGRATS!! you always kill the5k. I feel like you place in almost every race!!