So as you guys know I ran two back to back 5ks. The first called “Beat the Ball” started at 11:35pm on New Year’s Eve.
The objective was to run a sub 25 minute 5k (ie…”beat the ball” dropping). My goal was to run a roughly 20 minute race(since I was racing the next morning). Good thing because that was all my body could handle that night. I layed on my family room floor for 3 hours prior because I felt terrible. Then after pounding some coffee headed to the race. We were nearly late but it’s all good. My (only real life) friend Ashleigh (and brother’s girlfriend) did it as well.
After getting the race and being freezing, dad and I did a 2 mile warmup. We decided it was very windy along the race course.
I’m not really a night or dark racer. Something about the sensation of not seeing where you are going in the dark coupled with I’m a clumsy ass…I’d rather run on a treadmill or really just cross train. So with that, the race always intimidates me a little bit. This race was also especially curvy. I’m terrible at cutting tangents and with the multiple turns and complete 180, I added .1 to the course. Not a garmin extra mileage (which is still a 5k) but I (as well as most of the untangant cutters) ran more then a 5k…but that is fine.
I had started off pretty quickly and nearly toppled over a couple of little kids. I knew there was one woman in front of me (I had won this race last year). Around mile 2, another passed me. I was a bit upset but had to realize that I didn’t feel the greatest and perhaps that it wasn’t the race for me. I tried to dig deep but my stomach issues were still lingering a bit so I just focused on finishing. The race was over pretty quickly and a pretty big blur (as 5ks normally are).
After the race some lady with no teeth hugged me…I couldn’t understand a word she was saying. It was one of the more awkward moments of my life.
Splits: 5:45, 6:24, 6:22
I was going to write the second race recap but this post is getting so long so I’ll split it up for your sake…but mostly mine.
Questions for you:
1. Do you like running at night?
2. Are you good at cutting tangents? I should be from cross country…but I’m not.
3. How was your New Years?
I’m decent at tangents. I gotta say with coaching and drilling it in kids’ heads I’ve gotten a little better about strategy in racing. It’s easier in longer races though when you can really think. Running in the dark isn’t fun for me either, I’m scared I’ll hit something and fall! You still did a great job especially racing just a few hours apart!
I love your legging! I think it’s the first time I’ve seen you in running pants!
Those aren’t running pants. 😉 Those are Express gold shimmer leggings LOL! I do run in running tights frequently though…
Loving those gold leggins!!!! haha those are awesome! I can’t believe you did two back to back races! Dang, girl! 😉
Sounds like a great run despite not feeling 100%. I hate running in the dark but these days I have to as the only time I get to run is in the morning and it’s depressingly dark then. But you gotta do what you can! I’d rather run in the dark than not run at all 🙂
See I’m the opposite. I think I’d cross train at the gym before running in the dark on my own will!
I love your leggings!! So cute 😀 You did great, I can’t get over how fast you are haha I’m not a fan of running at night… in the summer it’s different since it stays lighter but yea, not a fan of the dark lol
Those gold leggings are awesome!!! This is such a fun idea for a race. I wish my town had one like that!
that sounds like so much fun and the best way to ring in the New Year!! Love the gold leggings!
Didn’t notice the leggings until the last pic…awesome! Can’t wait to see more dress 🙂
Good…because I just bought those race photos LOL
OMG I am dying at the no teeth hugger lady! You poor thing, hahaha…totally awkward! I like running at night…in the summer when I can see where my clumsy ass is going as well. Congrats on sub-20, especially with stomach issues…worst feeling ever. I probably would have crapped myself.
OH GIRL! If they were those type of stomach issues, no way in HELL would I have been able to race LOL.
nice going! night racing is so tough, I know it takes a lot for me to feel really into a race,my body just doesn’t want it. I love the idea of that race though.
Ugh, I am terrible at running at night. In the morning in the dark is not so bad but in the evening? I trip over my own feet and for some reason I’m scared witless all the time. I’m also usually tired as heck by that time of the day.
Tangents? Well, I’ve added a mile to a marathon before simply because I’m so useless at running them. The only time I’ve had a 26.2 with no extras was the most recent marathon on a flat, completely straight out-and-back…and even then my Garmin cut off for about a minute so I possibly added distance to that as well!
Love all the gold/shimmeryness – you’ll have been visible in the dark at the very least 😉
xxx
Running in morning darkness never seems bad to me, but night darkness…no way. Adding an entire mile to a marathon, on my gosh. I have a lot of obnoxious things to run in because god knows I need all the help I can get to not be hit.
When I used to steer our boats when I rowed, I was alllll about the tangents. I’ve been able to bring that strategy to running as well. Can’t wait to hear about your SECOND SUB-20 in 11 HOURS!! Oh. And LOVE the tights.
That’s seriously one of the neatest (do people actually still say neat??) race concepts that I’ve come across… love the idea of beating the ball. Not big on doing anything remotely speedy in the dark though… I can hardly avoid walking into things in my apartment at night, so I don’t even want to think about what would happen if I was running outside…
I say neat, so it counts. I am the same way…it wasn’t even that lit up so I was constantly worrying about tripping and falling!
YEAH for sub-20!!
this race sounds so fun!
I do like running at night, but if I’m running at night it’s always after work, and usually easy-paced! major props for pushing the pace after feeling awful & that late at night!
I still have no idea how to cut tangents…hmm maybe a goal for this year would be to learn how, as I think that would be a good skill to have when racing a lot of miles 🙂
I hope your having a great week!
xoxo!
It’s a good skill in longer races for sure, and I believe (?) most races are measured at the exact shortest distance possible so it would mean you’d have to cut every single tangent!
GREAT race Hollie! As usual! I don’t know if I could do a race so late & in the dark.. you’re brave :D. I LOL’d at the lady with no teeth… that really would be awkward!
Hahahah So funny!! what a creeper lady! Glad you had fun! Not sure I would have been able to do that so late.. I was getting my shwasty face on.. woopsie!
Hi! Just saw your comment on Running the Windy City and had to click over because I love your blog name. LOLz.
Awesome race! What a fun idea to beat the ball! I don’t mind running at night but bet I would trip if I was racing. 🙂
Gold leggings, a toothless lady … sounds like quite the NYE! I love the “beat the ball” concept–gives you an extra incentive. 🙂 I have zero experience in terms of night/dark running, so I’m sure it would not be a pretty sight.
I am sooo bad at running tangents. I for some reason have no judgement lol. My 5ks are always longer, especially on a winding course!
I love that race idea! I have never actually ran at night because there aren’t any well lit tracks out here and I don’t wanna appear on the 10 o’clock news!
um you are awesome! I don’t know how I would feel about racing at any time especially at night! I had soooo much fun today that made my New Years!
1. I love your gold leggings 2. What a neat race idea & 3. you are friggen awesome!!
1) I actually do like running at night, but not too long. 2) I rock the tangents. I love running, but I cannot fathom running a race any longer than I have to. 3) NYE was great! I was a homebody with the family, but we had a fun evening.
Great pair of races! You crack me up.
That is seriously the coolest idea for a race! Not to mention, it’s a great way to start the New Year off on the right foot (literally ha.ha.ha.) 🙂