I don’t even know where to begin with race. I keep trying to create a starting point but so many different things flood my mind. Ha. So I guess I’ll start with, I finished and was second female overall, I ran an 18:57 PR in the final 5 and I’m still…uninjured.
That pretty much summarizes it, but I guess I’ll get into details too (if you are into that.).
The race began at 8:10 am. I got in a 2.3 mile (running) warmup and was ready to go. It was very stormy skies and I was hoping the weather would hold until after our race. How much would it stink to taper for a race and then it’s cancelled/postponed? Your taper is messed up and well…your mojo falls flat.
As was not the case (obviously).
The first 1k was on the beach and due to all the rain the sand was very soft. It was not compact and my feet were sinking…I was tripping over bumbling bafoons that should have started in the back but it’s not a big deal (well there were no chips for the 1k run or the 1k swim). All I could think about in this 1k run on the beach was the ocean swells.
But then it was ocean time. In I went. The waves were nuts and my goggles came off a few times. I got kicked in the face multiple times and I swear nearly desuited…silly (creeper) waves. But alas that is what I get for wearing a two piece. The swim took me 25 minutes to do a 1k. I did an open water mile swim in 22 a few weeks ago. My (1000yd) pool PR is in the 11 minute range.
So you know those waves and rip currents and waves were nuts. When I rounded the buoy to come in, I got hit by a rather large wave that knocked my goggles off completely. I was preying my contacts didn’t come out. Thank goodness they didn’t.
And into the transition area I went. A very fast runner from my area (who ran the 5k) told me I was 6th female overall. And then my flame was ignited. I quickly put on my running clothes, (well my shoes and a shirt with my bib…oopsies no pants…It was like running in booty hugger spandex).
Then set out for the 5k on the boardwalk. I was actually quite terrified to run this because well, this is where my injury had occurred last year. Mile one I felt very strong and I passed two females.
Mile 1-2was at the turn around point. First, I passed the place I had collapsed last year. I can honestly say I had a bit of a miniflashback. I don’t know why and it seems silly now and possibly overdramatic but my mind quickly remembered just laying there and whaling. I put it out of mind and literally said to myself: FTS. As I rounded the turn around, I also passed another female putting me 3rd.
I had seen the second place female but had put passing her out of my mind that she was at least 2 minutes in front of me. Around that time I saw the most inspirational female runners in my area Kris L and Renee cooling down, who cheered for me! I was like oh my stars, could I be anymore socially awkward.
Running back towards the starting line, I began to tunnel vision because I could see the female in front of me and the finish line. (I think I was also chanting the final countdown in my mind) NEVER have I pushed so hard in my life. I don’t Garmin during races (I just started training runs with her so maybe eventually) but I know I had to negative split that last mile. When I was a quarter of a mile out I pushed as hard as humanly possible and just kept going.
Finishing second overall and finishing the 5k portion in 18:57.
Sure I would have loved a win, but I love being a sub 19 minute 5ker more.
Question for you:
What is your most memoriable race?
Do you have any inspirational runners in your area?
whoa nice job girl. That water looks so rough! I am continuously amazed by you!
Congrats on your PR, especially after a swim! I’m really glad your race wasn’t cancelled either, that would suck for it to be cancelled whether you tapered or not because you pay the money to do it and look forward to it and it’s what you train for. I find a lot of runners inspirational and it’s not always the people in the front, usually it’s people with disabilities or those who’ve lost a lot of weight the healthy way and kept it off, things like that. Really anyone who works hard for it is inspirational, though!
Holy sh*t. You are incredible. Congrats!!!
Congrats on your PR and your second place finish! That’s such an amazing accomplishment (and you were going FAST)! I’m glad you were able to work past your fears and run really well. Enjoy the afterglow of your great performance!
Congrats!!! You are such a rockstar I feel like I say that all the time, but you are truly amazing!
Awww, thank you for the shout out!! You looked so fast, smooth, and controlled on your 5K. You were amazing and pulled off a great place in a tough field and tough conditions! Keep on rolling it girlie!
AWESOME job! So so impressive!
EPIC WIN!!!!!!! I honestly think PR’s are more satisfying than race wins (not that I’ve ever actually won a race but that’s beside the point :-P). And the fact that your 5k PR came AFTER a 1k run in crazy sand and a swim in crazy ocean water? good things ahead in your XC season for sure!
Amen to that! Thanks girlie! 🙂
awesome race!!!
Impressive! Congrats on the PR and 2nd overall! You’re wicked fast. 🙂
High five lady. You continue to impress – Whatever you have been doing, your body certainly likes:)
How do you deal with the salt water?… I honestly avoid all Tri’s that involve swimming in the ocean because of it.
I don’t mind salt water-I don’t think it’s actually too bad. What part don’t you like about it? The actually saltyness?
I don’t mind it while I am actually swimming… but it seems like whenever I get out I cant get that taste out of my mouth and it makes me dizzy. DUMB! Thought you maybe had a little trick;)
Amazing… Congrats!
OH MY GOODNESS!! SUB 19… will you be my coach when I am getting back into running? You look incredible and I am so happy for this huge accomplishment!
Hollie I’m so proud of you! I know you’ve been working really hard to break 19 for a 5k! You should be so proud of yourself and even with the miniflashback which you totally kicked its butt.
Nice job on breaking 19! I would give you a high five, but…
you know.
(:
You are my motivation, man. Just so you know.
So proud of you woman, you are unbelievable… I say that all of the time I know, but so true, and in a good way of course! 🙂
Remember when you said that Chuck said he gets his best running times in triathlons after being warmed up? Well, look at you!!! You are awesome 🙂
You are such a freaking inspiration!!! congrats!! You deserve it girl 🙂
Wow, you are amazing. Congrats on sub 19! Especially considering it was after already running and swimming.. Awesome job.