Tag Archives: race

Pink Ribbon Run 5k (19:05)

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I will now do a typical blogger thing and divide my weekend recap into two posts.  The race I did…and real life stuff.  Mostly because I hate long posts and so do you. We will start with running because well…that’s more real life for Laura, Heather and I than the weekend…just kidding. 

The Pink Ribbon Run was a race in Genesee Valley Park in Rochester NY on Mother’s Day.  It was also an ALL WOMAN’S race and unlike many other races the only thing men could do was walk.  (Even Nike and Zooma both allow men to run).  That being said, there were over 1000 runners and over 1000 walkers.  It was the first year in the park (it had been previously held somewhere else).

lauraheatherandi

The week prior I had really wanted to have a good 5k.  Not that I haven’t had many good 5ks, I just wish I was consistently under 19 minutes for 5ks…but I’m consistently 19:0X.  This, as you can clearly read from the title was no different.  I don’t know why I expect to improve in a 5k when I do no speed work…but we all have unachievable dreams sometimes.

The three of us warmed up for a bit but we didn’t really warm up.  It was still a solid 40ish degrees but it was so windy.  I actually raced in gloves, though I had debated long sleeves but delayered about 1 minute before the gun went off.  We got to the starting line and since there were over 1000 people we lined up pretty close to the start.  Looking intense and I did a strider…I don’t know why but a lot of other people were so I thought…eh why not…it’s like cross country again.

And then we were off.

The top five ladies stayed in a very close knit pack.  I literally thought to myself, man it’s like we are in the Olympics.  (I was the weird stalker about 10 feet back).  The first mile was the easiest as it was pretty straight and not many turns.  I hit it in 5:58 and I was honestly a bit disappointed in it.  (Many of my first 5k miles have been 5:40).  But I just told myself, it’s windy, keep calm as that is still under 6 minutes.

During the second mile the lead pack had narrowed down to three and then two lingering behind and then me.  I managed to catch one of the others (the only move in position my entire race).  I could see everyone in front of me and this is where the course became brutal.  It was hair pin turn after hair pin turn and I continued to lose momentum.  My second mile was 6:25 (and yes that was about my average half marathon pace a few weeks ago).  Cobblestone, hairpin turns and wind all played a factor.

Mile three seemed like the longest to me…mostly because we ran through the start line, through a giant wind tunnel and oh yeah around some more hair pin turns.  I saw the finish line and once again saw the clock go right on over 19 minutes….but I kept running.  I didn’t stop and cry…then it might go over 20 minutes.   Oh right my third mile was 6:12.

I had a great time at this race but it was obviously not a PRing course.  In fact, I ran my first race post cyst injury in November at this same park at the equal of a 20 min exactly 5k and it was a beautiful day and easier course.  So I guess I’m moving up in the world…or down.

After the race a cute high schooler came up to the three of us and asked if were getting ready for counties next week.  As in high school county track.  Glad I can pass an a 17 year old senior high schooler I guess.

I think I just need the right races and I’ll be under 19 minutes.  A 5k course with a million hair pin turns is not one of them.  But honestly with all that complaining I did on this recap, I still had a great time and it was a great final horah with two of my favorite upstate NY runners. (and the other 997 runners and walkers).  Congrats, however, to Heather for setting a huge PR…which is going to come down when she runs a better course.

Questions for you:

Would you rather an out and back boring 5k, cross country terrain 5k, a hilly 5k, or a 5k on the track?

If you don’t want care for running 5ks, do you get mistaken as being younger often?

Actually, I remember asking this once and every single person said they could pass as 5 years younger…so that’s that.

Mountain Goat Run 10 Miler (1:08.23)

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I wrote a pretty lengthy recap on my dailymile a few days ago, I didn’t think I could possibly find more to say…but alas…I can always find more to say. 

The Mountain Goat is not a race you run to PR.  You run it because it’s hard and hilly and everyone in the Central NY area knows that…Coming off my half marathon at Nike last weekend, I knew I would be rolling in the pain train this weekend.   I wasn’t exactly sure where this race would go but really wanted to be under 70 minutes.  (That may seem like oh Hollie surely you can do that stop underestimated your goals…no this is a hilly hard course).  The gold standard for woman is 70 minutes and every female that finishes sub 70 gets a gold medal (males I believe it’s 60 minutes).

Moving on, so once I knew that placing wasn’t an option and that I would be hovering around 70 minutes I made that my goal. 

The race itself started at 10:20.  It was already extremely hot when I got there but found parking, mused around and did a 2 mile warmup.  I left at 7:45…because well I had nothing better to do and god knows I don’t want to frantically be there at race start.  (or speed there)

We all lined up and I got a glimpse of Jason (who had given me some pretty solid advice about the race and later broke an hour!  You go on with your bad self).  Also at the start, I saw someone from my Potsdam calculus class…it was super awkward because I was literally like (out of nowhere mind you…you went to Potsdam right?  We were in the same ACalc class some 3 years ago…)…creepings kind of my thing. 

So with that we were off.  Mile 1, I felt like I was not moving very quickly and was literally running elbow to elbow with people.  That is something I’ve never experienced in any race…I had to keep reminding myself that I did not want to roll out the pain train just yet.  So I hovered with a 6:41 first mile.  (I was secretly hoping some of these people might roll the pain train because it was a hot sweaty mess and it smelled).

Mile 2 we had the first set of hills and I passed 3 females… I really only pay attention to females…sorry dudes…don’t care what you do…minus I talked to a nice one for a couple sentences.  (7:03 mile)

Mile 3-5 had some serious brutal downhills.  I thought I might roll down the hill faster…since I run on my toes (literally a human ostrich…fun fact it’s how I walk too) downhills have always been a struggle.  Both these miles were high 6:50s.

Mile 5 was preparing us for mile 6 and was pretty flat..(6:46)

Oh mile 6…the mile I nearly cried on…the mile I passed 4 more girls…the mile I cursed more than a sailor…yes that is mile 6…(7:03)

Mile 7: The mile started to tell me I was almost done and also the mile I realized that 48:45 did not give me much run leeway for sub 70 minutes.  Oh and I saw 2 boys stop and walk…people running in the sub 70 minute range that needed to walk.  Oh hills. (7:05)

I don’t really remember mile 8 except high fiving a little boy saying thanks my main man.  (6:59)

Mile 9, I began picking it up…so I you know…break 70 minutes.  (6:21)

Mile 9-10 I literally said…oh yes we are getting that sub 70 and turbo charged it…literally one man said da faq did you come from little lady…I said (as I’m going into cardiac arrest by this point…must…have. ..gold.. medal…haha)

And I did.  Those race photos I probably look like I’m about to run to get some coffee or something, I’m pretty sure the only thing I had on my mind was a sub 70 minute time. Hashtag all that determined, focused stuff people do…(yes I realize I spelled medal wrong…but I’m over it)

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It was nice to see so many familiar faces.  I’m looking at you Heather and Christine.  As well as a lot of others.  It was certainly a great final Syracuse race and I’m 100% glad I did it.  Did I feel awful the entire time?  Absolutely.  Is this a PR for me?  No, it’s 4 minutes slower…Did I have great time?  Duh.

Heather and I

Heather and I

Questions for you:

Hilliest race you have ever done?

Do you high five spectators, talk or anything during races?

Because I do all three.

MEDEL

Nike Women’s Half Marathon (1:24.53)

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This will probably be a lot longer recap and post from me then you are used too.   I don’t normally have a good amount to say about races but I am trying to get better about that.  First, I was never set on running this race.  The month of April I had been back and forth about running this race, I had a few other commitments that I was missing and it seemed like everything and anything was planned on tis same weekend.  When I found out there was no real way to trade or sell off my bib and my dad was going to come watch…well I decided to suck it up to get out of my comfort zone and run the biggest race of my life.

I’m elated I did.

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It’s not a secret that I really enjoy Nike products.  They are by far my favorite brand and I have never denied that through swimming or running.  The fact that they announced they were sponsoring a race 6 months ago in DC, I decided I just had to run.  That was in November and for those who relatively new, I was just coming off a giant cyst in my foot…I needed something long term to look forward too and this seemed perfect.  So I entered the race six months ago and put it in the back of mind.

mewerun

Fast forward to driving down and being on the metro to get my race packet.  I walked entirely too much and a lot more than I would have liked the day before a race.  Between standing in line (for about an hour), walking to and from the metro station (2 miles roundtrip…not the .5 stated) and then just walking…I walked…a lot more then you should.

But before we get much into this recap to much, I had said multiple times I wanted to do well but I don’t feel fully recovered from last months 1:25 at Shamrock.  For those who follow my training, it was obvious my running was okay not stellar. I was not expecting a PR here as well and I was fine with that.  I was there to have fun (I’m always there to have fun).

meandmarie

After getting to the race in the morning around 6:00, I shot the breeze with my friend from the area and her husband (another reason I was really excited to be there).  I didn’t warm up besides my jog with dad to the metro station.  Jogging with a bag, I looked like a line backer…maybe a career in the football is my next bet.

meprerace

After checking in my bag and delayering all the way (no throw away clothes for me actually), I went to my carol and it was just awe inspiring seeing all the runners and so intimidating. We had to wear wrist bands depending on your pace and looking down to see about 30 females with a sub 6 minute bracelet was scary.

After talking with Brennan, we both agreed…how intimating.  These girls look legit…am I supposed to be here?  Also right before the start, I also saw Alex (who I saw quite a few times on the course).

brennanai

Then we were off.  Literally the race started at 7:00am and on time.   Around the half mile point we went under a tunnel with bongo players.  It was loud and reminded me a metronome.  Although it was by far my favorite part, It also blocked my Nike watch and immediately I lost signal and from that point on I was sans GPS.  Not sure if anyone else had this problem but I wasn’t just going to stop and say oh darn…watch doesn’t work…race is over.

I was able to chart these splits off their website though and not that it matters too much about splits considering my 5k’s are nearly the same.  My watch acted as a natural stop watch so I had a good idea of what I was doing about my pace but not really. .

raceresults

I’ll break it up into 4, 5ks.

The first 5k (20:39).

My first 5k will always be my slowest.  Always.  My legs were pretty tired and I didn’t know how it would play out.  I somewhere between 40-50th place but continued to pass people.  We went through the tunnel at the very beginning but I loved the bongo players.  The crowd support was amazing.  The first 5k went by pretty fast and there was only one real hill.  I was really taking in the scenery and trying to find my groove here.

The second 5k (19:49)

nikehalf1

This was a very crowd supported.  As I felt myself getting into the groove of a very solid pace.  I didn’t feel 100% optimal but I felt good.  I found myself pretty alone from this point on.  I began to become engrossed in my own thoughts.  I stayed in the same position throughout the race besides a lone wolf dude who ran by me grunting nice running…

The third 5k (20:21)

Miles 6.5-9 were probably the hardest for me.  I was literally all alone with no one around and going into a bit of wind.  I look back at pictures of people running the same race as I am with literally hundreds of females around and I was all by myself.  I saw someone about .1 in front of me and I knew someone was .1 behind…but no one else around.  It was mentally challenging but gorgeous views and just focusing on finishing got me through.  I didn’t have any problems and it honestly just felt like a mental barrier of miles that I needed to get through.

Also during this point some mistaken man ran onto course and he was immediately stopped.  I chuckled and told him that he could finish the rest of the race for me.  He said “you’re a heart breaker kid”…whatever that means.

The final 5k (19:56)

This 5k (if I have this court figured out right) was pretty similar to the first 5k, just retracing our steps.  By this point I had dropped my hammer and had decided I was going to finish and finish strong.  The final 5k for me is my personal favorite because I know it’s like the extra run I normally do once a week and I can power through it.  We went through that tunnel again and proceeded to turn around the Washington Monument.  The course widened up and the spectators were screaming.  I was literally in tunnel vision to finish.

Bonus round 12.4-13.1.

I was just staring at the finish line because you were going towards it at a straight line and it’s big.  I thought it might never come.  I passed the fellow that passed me earlier in the race (and he said you go girl) and then I was gaining on someone in front of me who was being paced by a cyclist (but I never caught them).

nikehalf

But I finished in 1:24.53.

Post race I was shocked…Surprised…what the heck?  Me just finishing in 9th? I went through all the post race joys of getting a necklace, getting my (cute) finisher tee and just hanging out.  I meant to cool down but never got around to and never did a shakeout run later…

I was able to finally meet Mikey (who is point blank awesome).

mikeandipostrace

I realized after looking in my bag, I had forgotten to run take my gel with 2X caffeine.  Now that might not seem like a big deal to you, but I have never run a race (at all) without taking this gel 45 minutes before.  Ever.  I have nearly cried (well just panicked) at several races because I thought I didn’t have it.  The only prerace tradition I have ever had is take that gel at 45 minutes…and I literally forgot.   Could I have finished faster?  Who knows, perhaps without any travel or walking around miles on miles but this was still a PR for me and a great race.

As dad said: This was my new favorite race course…sure you get to see all the beautiful monument and views but you also get to see all the political scandals (like Watergate!) .

And thus ends my longest blog post ever…ha ha.

 

Questions for you:

Do you drink or take any caffeine before races?

What is your favorite part of Washington DC? 

DAR 5k (19:18)

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I don’t remember if I even noted that I was doing a 5k on my blog last weekend.  I had actually found the deal on living social a few weeks prior and for 10 dollars how can you resist a 5k in your favorite park?  Plus I would probably run down there anyways so why not pay 10 dollars and find myself a nice baseline time.  I haven’t run a 5k since January so this was a nice change of pace (literally). 

After the last week of training and being sick, plus recovering from a 20 miler, I wasn’t exactly sure where this race was going.  I wasn’t really that worried about it either way and the morning of decided I would still drive down there.  I could use it as a nice speed workout that wasn’t on the treadmill.

The morning of the race, I woke up to find the weather outside to be beautiful.  I was a bit confused and thought maybe it was a dream but it was sunny and absolutely gorgeous.  I ate my breakfast and drove down to Syracuse around 8am.  I got to Syracuse and it started snowing…and all of a sudden it was overcast and about 30 degrees.  Oh goodie, good thing I brought mittens and pants.  I had actually almost not and just brought shorts and a singlet since it was supposed to warm up to 40.

After picking up my shirt and race bib, I did a nice 2 miles in the park and tried to warm up.  I warmed up enough that I decided I would run in shorts…but not enough to delayer my long sleeve, headband or mittens.

I used my favorite festive porta potty (no really, the porta pottys at the Onondaga Lake Parkway are decorated on the inside with wreaths and whatever Holiday is coming up.  They also have hand sanitizer and some sort of air cleaner…).  They are the gold standard.  I’d take a picture but um…a picture of the inside of porta potty on a blog?

When I got to the race start, I was immediately greeted by a friend Dylan and we chatted for a second before the race.  (Shoutout to you Dylan…wish we had gotten a photo, at Mountain Goat we will!).  The race went off and ran parallel to the lake.  It was windy…it was cold, it was snowing but not too bad.  I started off something like 10-15th overall.

My first mile was 5:45 and I felt good.  Not great, not awful.  I kept powering through and moved from around 15th place to 7th passed the other females as well.  It was around mile 1 that I was able to notice every single person in front of me.  That was a bit strange for me…I’ve never been a “front runner” in a race so it was pretty neat to see all the race competitors at that point that were ahead.

The second mile included the turn around point (180 degrees).  Late during the second mile, I moved into second place overall.  Not second female overall, but second place between male and female.  That is a HUGE deal for me, and something I had never been before.   I hit the second mile in 6:18.  I was still feeling good and not like I was dying so put on my mean face (because I really do look mean when I run).

The third mile, I saw the 1st place person was probably 2 minutes ahead and no way I’d catch him but I was all by myself.  Literally no one around.  It was one of the coolest things that has ever happened to me at a race.  I’ve placed top female in races before, but I have never placed second overall in a race and never been in a position that I’m just all by myself and no boys around.  I was going against the wind at this point but managed to pull at a 6:08 final mile.  I saw the finish line for like half a mile before I crossed it.  I didn’t help because I run these trails at least 1-2 times per week too so the last half mile felt longer than the entire race.

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My final time was 19:18.  A lot of people said they had the race at 3.2-3.3.  I’m wondering if the people measuring the 3.3 went for a swim in the lake on their way back…looked a bit choppy to me.   For an inaugural race, it was very well put together and went by pretty smoothly with no issues.  (You never know with first races I guess, but races at the parkway seem to always go well).  This race has all the credentials on a nonwindy day to be a PRing flat, fast 5k…but there are very few of those days in Upstate NY.  No matter, I got some speedy miles on my legs in preparation for my half in a week.

After the race I actually had the honor to meet up with Heather (Upstate Runner) and ran 10 miles with her.  If you know my running style it’s generally a no cooldown and shakeout a few hours later but today it was an enjoy 10 mile cooldown/shakeout/chat session with Heather.  She ran the Shamrock full marathon last month and is from an area somewhat close to Syracuse as well.  It was really nice to finally meet her and chat for a solid 10 miles.  I was glad she took it easy for me, since I was dead after the race…I was also really glad that she didn’t think I was terribly awkward…or if she did , pretended that I wasn’t.

Questions for you:

Have you ever run a race and been alone?

I’ve run a few smaller races that I have ended up being by myself (not placing overall but just because there aren’t a lot of people).  I actually nearly got lost a couple of times because there was no one around and no signs.  That’s upstate mentality for you.

Do you like mittens or gloves?

I like mittens, specifically I like the mittens I stole from my brother…let’s hope he isn’t reading my blog today. 

Spring Forward 15k (1:04.15)

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I nicknamed this the Shenanigan 15k.  First, I am still recovering my half marathon.  Yes, it’s been two weeks…yes I ran 70 miles in Texas last week including a 12 mile run up a mountain chased by a 15 mile run the next day…on trails.  But you only live once and my legs still hurt.  I took the day before the race off…something I never do (I would take 2 days off and then do a shakeout run the day before) but my legs needed a break the day before more then I cared to injure myself at a race.

I knew running this race was not going to of the same caliber as my last and you know what?  I was perfectly fine with that.  I love running and running injury free…so that’s that.

I left my house on Saturday at 6am…not really any different than a week day and headed towards Rochester.  It was an easy 70 mile drive but lots of police were out so naturally I drove slower and then was running late to Laura’s.

Laura drove to the start and we got there with about 15 minutes to spare before the race actually started.  The porta potty lines were too long, not enough time to warm up, neither of us cared and we just headed to a tree and then the starting line.   I think we did about .75 miles running before the race…at least that is what my watch said.

I want to make a meme out of this...

I want to make a meme out of this…dat ass…balding man (I have hair I promise)…just a few things that come to mind

The race started at 8:30 and we were off.  The first mile I noticed 3 girls in front of me and a few hills ahead.  I knew that it would take at least 2-3 miles for me to warm up and loosen up considering I had taken the day before off and really hadn’t done a warmup.  I was still basking in the sun.   Long story short, I never felt fantastic but I didn’t feel bad either. 

I literally thought of this race as 3 5ks, so that is what I’ll describe it as.

The first 5k was somewhat chilly.  I had forgotten my ear warmers at and was wearing shorts.  I didn’t feel bad or good.  It was somewhat crowded and hit the 5k mark in 21:12.  I passed one girl up a hill, then she passed me back down the hill.  She wasn’t amused when I said we would be a good team she could run down hill and I’d run up.

The second 5k was much more hilly.  I underestimated the hills in the course but I realized while running…I run up hills really well…I stink running down them and everyone would pass me again.  I saw Laura’s fiancé and by the 10k mark (which I hit in 43:30).  I then decided to drive myself to finish the last 5k and hopefully be my fastest one as I had a feeling I could do that since my running had been all over the place but I didn’t feel dead.

By then the last 5k was up a giant hill.  I had originally wanted to have an average pace of under 6:40 after looking at my watch at the 10k and seeing an overall pace 6:42.  However, when you have a 200 foot hill and a mile at 7:10…well that wasn’t the case and wasn’t happening.  Either way I just kept trucking and by this time it was a high school aged boy and myself in an all out guts to glory finish.

But he said outkicked me on the downhill section to the finish line.  (isn’t that anticlimactic?).  I have no interest to outkick boys anyways…high school boys, college boys…older men…don’t care. 

lauraandi1

After the race, Laura and I hung out.  I actually saw one of my friends from college who swam distance with me who did well too…it is always nice to catch up with college friends and remember that was a part of my life (though it seems so distant now).

kirstinandi

Questions for you:

Do you take any days off before a race?

Do you see a lot of friends from previous schooling?  College, high school?

For me being in a separate area, I generally don’t.  I think if I lived where I went to college or high school I would obviously.