When I found out that there was a 5k,10k,15k and half marathon near my oldest brothers house in Seattle I thought it would be fun to do a race in a new area. Although I would like to say I found it, dad was the one who emailed me and said he was signing up. I originally signed up for the 10k but getting to the race on Saturday I realized I wanted to downgrade to the 5k. I hadn’t done a 5k in January and I thought it would be nice to see where I was at with that.
I knew with the random mileage and running I had been doing lately that this wasn’t going to PR. I also knew that the jet lag was going to tire me out. Both were true. Regardless I thought it would be a lot of fun to do anyways. I wasn’t worried about PRing or being stressed.
The race didn’t have a chip and it was an old school start that we all started together. It actually gave me the most amusement I’ve ever had at the beginning of a race. The race director noticed the long line for the womans rest room line. He literally said “if this isn’t an emergancy and you are just using the rest room for precaution, there are some porta stations mid race”. I laughed uncontrollably at it. (I don’t even know why).
Anyways the race started and we were off. The first mile felt like it took forever. I remember looking at my watch at .26, .44, .67 .89 and finally when it beeped at 1 mile. At that point I knew it was a race that was going to feel like it was taking forever…and it did. Mentally it felt about 5 times longer than a half marathon. I’m so glad I didn’t sign up for anything longer (6:06)
The second mile had a random hill that I had absolutely no idea was even in the course. It was a very flat course on some trails except for this one random hill. You literally turned a corner and it was like bam up the hill we go.
With all the turns and the hill my second mile was about 5 seconds slower. I honestly thought it was going to be much slower then that but I was lucky and it wasn’t. It went by quicker mentally at least. (6:11)
The final mile I was very focused on getting under 19 minutes (Which didn’t happen). I really wanted to power through and I thought I was on pace. It was going to be extremely close. We had a 180 turn and as I came across the final .2 I saw the clock tick just over 19 minutes. Close but no cigar.
In all honesty this was a lot better then I had thought I would do. I was realistically unsure (jet lagged, tired and the last 5k I ran was in January) how I would do. I knew I would be upset if I couldn’t hold the same pace I’ve run in my halves the last few times (ie: faster than 6:21 pace).
Take aways: For the terrain and course (trails, gravel) I’m happy. I am hoping in a month or two I’ll be in the lower 18s. I think with a good course and good day I could be around my PR (18:35).
Questions for you:
Have you ever done a spur of the moment race?
How many states have you raced in?
For me I’ve raced in: Virginia, New York, North Carolina (cross country), Vermont (cross country), New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Texas, Maryland and now Washington. I think that is all of them…unless you count DC.
Haha I love that you do these spur of the moment races. For me it would take a whole lot of planning and preparation!
I love the spur of the moment ones, it removes a bit of the anxiety leading up to them 🙂
Last year that is all I did… I had just had Ella and I was never sure if I’d be able to race the next day…So I would basically track the weather and decide the morning of… I still kind of do it. I like scope out races and then decided the night before or the next morning… sometimes they are the best races,,, sometimes… not sooo much
hmmmm,,, States I’ve raced in…
NY, PA, VT, NH, MA, NJ, MD, NC, SC, FL, NV,CT
I’d love to race in all 50 states at some point in my life but one thing at a time I guess lol
I do that a lot more for 5ks…but lately anything longer then a 10k sells out so you have to schedule so far in advance!
I know… it’s kind of annoying… sometimes I like to be random ya know?
I’ve raced in: Pennsylvania, New Jersey, South Carolina, Maryland, and Colorado. I think that’s it…I need to work on branching out!
Great time, must have been fun to do this with your brother and dad.
Haven’t raced in the US yet. Hopefully one day: NY, MA, CA.
My dad is actually who got me into running. 🙂
Connecticut, New York, Vermont, Colorado, Alaska, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Ohio.. hmm, I think that’s it!
Nice fun run though! You are still super speedy in my book : ) When it comes to races I have some MD, VA, and DC. Really branching out right?
Love sour of the moment races – for me, that means no pre-race anxiety! Sounds like a fun race and day!
Great race, girl! As much as I usually do better in spur-of-the moment races, I am such a planner, and like having something on the calendar. jealous of your adventure to Seattle, it looked super fun! -Sarah (katie 😉 )
wow you have been to so many different places! I have only raced in st Louis haha. oh well. I have heard the vegas 1/2 marathon is a lot of fun. Maybe one day…
CONGRATS. Pretty dang close to sub-19.
I believe I’ve raced in six states, IN, MI, NJ, PA, DC, VA. I’ve run in NYC but it wasn’t a race.
Yeah I think with moving I have a few more states I’ve run in. 😉
Did you say you signed up for NYC this year?
No, I registered for the Philadelphia half marathon. I have a ways to go before I run a marathon!
Congrats! Not bad at all for a trail 5k! (Or any 5k, but, you know.) Spur of the moment races are great–no time to worry or stress about your time, and easy to just go out there and have fun. I have no idea how many states I’ve raced in, but if you count college track: KY, TN, NY, CT, MA, NC, SC, AL, AR, GA, IL, IN, LA, MS, MO, OH, CA…I’m probably missing some. Lots of hours on the bus with my crazy teammates!
The only real spur of the moment race I’ve ever done was the 20k I did a few weeks ago. I decided the day before and it turned out to be great!
I’ve race in NJ, PA, FL, IL, CA, VA, and…that might it actually. I need to change that!
And you did awesome at that race! That was a great week of training and racing for you if I remember correctly! (Just like this week will be!)
Hooray for a spur of the moment race! I’ve raced in PA, NY, NJ, DC, FL, CA, IL and LA. oh, and Canada.
That’s awesome. What race did you so in LA?
Rock n Roll Mardi Gras (now the RnR New Orleans) back in 2010
I’ve been agonizing and planning to sign up for a race for months now, so needless to say… spur of the moment races aren’t really a thing for me 😉 I love that you race when you travel, though… Must be a great way to see a new area.
It was fun! What race distance are you thinking about?
I love to do spur of the moment races when I’m travelling. Have done one in Blacksburg and the Grits 5k here a couple weeks ago.
I’ve raced in VA, MD, SC, NC, as well as Spain, Germany, France, & Okinawa
I love doing 5Ks! I’ve ran a few different races through Idaho, California, Nevada, Washington, Oregon.. Spur of the moment races are best- then there’s no expectations 🙂
I would totally laugh at a random porta john joke like that!! Spur of the moment races are fun…I did one last summer with some friends just because, and it was one of the best runs I’ve ever had!!
Waiting in line for the bathroom as a precaution is totally something I would do–and have done. Hey, you never know, and it’s better to empty things out, right? 😉
Does it count if I rode a ride that started in Erie and went into NY? Haha. OHHH I swam in NY for sure!!! I think that means I’ve raced in Ohio, New York, Virginia, Maryland, and PA. I’ve ran in San Diego but it wasn’t a race!
Awesome job coming off jet lag, and on a tough course! I’ve mostly raced in the states I’ve lived: PA, NY, TX and now NJ. 🙂
I think I have only raced in Michigan and Pennsylvania (cross country). I went to Indiana for a xc race too but I was hurt so I only spectated.
Also your outfit in that race photo is really cute. I love the colors.
They are the new Oiselle Mac Rogas and then the Flyte top. Both winners.
I’ve signed up for a couple of races on the day, but never really had a time goal in mind for them, just gone with the intention of enjoying it. I think sometimes those are the best races!
I think it’s so awesome that you raced while in WA, and spur of the moment races are the most fun IMO. I think I remember you saying that you won, congrats!