Tag: 10k

Pineland Striders 10k
Running, Training

Pineland Strider 10k (44:05)

Hollie

This was possibly the hottest and most humid race I’ve done since living in Texas.  By no coincidence, it was also my slowest. It’s been a few years since I’ve run the Pineland Striders 10k. I know many of the local group members and local runners, so it’s always fun to run.

I arrived with my father in law around 7:30 am. We signed up and together with the local running store owner, did about 2-mile warmup. By the time it was time to start, I was sweating through my clothing.

The 5k and 10k go off together.  I was too busy chatting, and all of a sudden, we were off. For the first mile, I was running with a few local runners and friends. We hit the first mile around 6:45, and it felt challenging. My legs felt tired, and the humidity. I thought to myself: We have how many more miles?

The 5k turned around, and the 10k kept going. I found myself running with a friend, and we were tied for the first woman overall.  The next few miles were uneventful. We were running even splits of 6:55. It felt challenging, but I could still talk. The humidity was sinking in, and I felt how oppressive it was.

The roads weren’t closed, and during mile 3, several cars came whizzing by. I felt a bit uncomfortable but managed to stay out of their way. I couldn’t keep up and remained as second woman the rest of the way.

During the fourth mile, we began catching the 5kers.  We were going on a narrow path, so it was more challenging to pass people. I’m sure the 5kers were just as frustrated. We kept trucking along.

By mile 5, I was running alone and just death marching it to the finish line. It was the most humid day we’ve had so far, and my entire body felt it. I looked as if I had gone swimming.

As I remembered, the last mile cuts across the field and around the track. The last thing you want to do at the end of a 10k is run through the field. It’s a nice challenge toward the end. I didn’t want to hurt myself, so I just focused on staying smooth. I wasn’t going to pass anyone, so I didn’t feel forced to “sprint to the end.”

Pineland Striders 10k

Due to track maintenance, this year we went around and over gravel. The last .75 was one of the most challenging race finishes I’ve done. I crossed the finish in 44:05 and as second woman. While it’s one of my slower races, it was hot and humid, and the dew point was 74!

It was great to see so many friends and run another race with my father in law.

Pineland Striders 10k Tim's Dad and I

Questions for you:

What is the most challenging race finish you’ve done?

Do you prefer racing on grass or road? 

Cape May 10k me running
Running, Training

Cape May 10k (42:35)

Hollie

The Cape May 10k begins my racing to get back into shape.  It’s been mentally tough to start at one of my slower points in many years, but it is what it is.

After going to a college roommates wedding on Friday in Baltimore, we got home late Friday. Cape May is about 90 minutes from my house, which means between the 2 hours to Baltimore, 2 hours home, then 90 minutes to Cape May, my car got a workout before the race. Did all of this play a role in how I raced the day after, probably.

I like Cape May a lot. It’s a small town and one of the most beautiful in NJ. I take any opportunity to get down there. I got there around 7:20, ran a couple of miles and got to the start around 7:55. After talking with a new friend, Sandy, we were off.Cape May 10k me running

During the first mile, I felt pretty good. I thought: maybe this will be the unicorn day that surprises me with how I feel. I logged a 6:36 mile and was pleased.

The second mile looped around the shore, and we got a little breeze. It was lonely, and I found myself running alone the entire time. It felt like a time trial. I ran a 6:43 and I couldn’t get a groove or find a new, faster gear.

Between the 2nd and 3rd mile, the 5ks headed toward the finish line and truthfully I was jealous. I was over the race already. I hit the third mile in 6:48.

Cape May 10k me running

I tried everything to get back into a better headspace — just three more miles. Already halfway done. I couldn’t get back there. I didn’t give up, but my legs felt like they hit a wall. I ran the 4th mile in 6:59.  I was running alone and it just felt like I couldn’t find a faster groove.

The next two miles were just focused on the finish line. I got to run with my good friend Skip, who I run with regularly back home and training. We tried to keep each other motivated.

Cape May 10k me running

I hit mile 5 in 7:01 and just kept going. We ran up on the boardwalk, and I nearly slipped and fell on the sand. At 5.5, you can see the finish line, and it does not feel like it’s getting closer. I weaved around a few 5kers and crossed in 42:35.

Thoughts:

I would be lying if I was particularly pleased with a 42:35 10k, but it gives me room to improve. The next day, I ran 12 miles and ran my last 3 miles at 7:08, 7:01, 6:56 and felt better than the 10k. I’m actually racing several 10ks this summer. I plan to keep racing and hopefully race my way back into shape.

Also thank you to my good friend, Lindsay, for the photos.

Questions for you:

Have you run a 10k?

What’s your favorite town in your state?

Training

Pineland Striders 10k (41:21)

Hollie

I ran this race last year too.  It was the last race before a string of multiple injuries including plantar fasciitis and a stress fracture.  It was also the race I met Liz.  This year I was looking forward to finishing the race injury free.  (Spoiler: I finished slower than last year but injury free)

Since last year I moved across the state.  This year the race was actually further away. I got to the race around 7:45 and to my surprise I saw a lot of my coworkers!  I knew two of them were running but it was an exciting surprise to see more of my friends.  We all warmed up together and made it to the starting line just in time.

Colleen and Julie
Two of my coworkers and I
Liz, Chris and I
Liz, Chris and I

The 5k and 10k started together.  We didn’t know who was running which race but it was nice to have a lot of people together.  I ran side by side with both Liz and Chris for about a mile.  They later turned to run the 5k.

The first mile went by quickly since there were so many people.  I ran a 6:25. I wasn’t overly happy with it but I wasn’t upset either.  I was indifferent.

Pineland Striders 10k 1

The 5kers turned around halfway into the second mile.  I saw my coworker, and founder of Team Tindall, who ended up winning overall female in the 5k.  After the 5kers turned around, I found myself as first woman in the 10k. I stayed there the rest of race.  It became a lonely race and I ran the next 5 miles almost all by myself.  There were several men in front of me and several behind me.  There was no one within 20 seconds of me. The second mile was my fastest and I ran a 6:18.

During the third mile, we turned into a very wooded section. If you have ever taken a race out too quickly and paid the price, then you will be able to relate to how this race went.  I ran my third mile in 6:36 but I knew I was in trouble.

Pineland Striders 10k

I crossed the halfway point in 19:55.  I was happy that I broke 20 minutes but I knew the last three miles were not going to be enjoyable.

The third and fourth miles went by very slowly.  I ran the third mile in 6:56 and the fourth mile in 6:53.  There wasn’t anything too exciting about them.  In fact they were both rather painful and I regretted taking the race out so quickly.

The fifth mile headed back on the main road.  One thing I distinctly remember about this portion of the race last year was the volunteers not being on the same page.  This year they were not on the same page either. Some volunteers yelled at me to be on the sidewalk and others instructed I was to be on the street.  It got really confusing and I was getting opposite directions every volunteer! Ultimately I ran on the sidewalk because I am a safe runner.

The last half-mile headed onto a grassy field and finished on the track. I finished the sixth mile in 6:43 and sprinted as hard as I could around the track.  The last .2 felt like it took forever.  Everyone was congregated around the track as we finished.  It was nice to see Liz and Chris since they had finished their race. Chris got some good shots of me finishing as well.

I finished in 41:21 and first female overall.  I had to work directly after the race so I wasn’t able to stay after finishing.

Pineland Striders finish

Post race thoughts: 

It’s 21 seconds slower than last year but I finished injury free.  Last year my plantar fascia had a big flair up.  I’m happy with the race but it was a painful second half. My speed is coming back slow and steady.  I’m not overly happy with the race but I will take an injury free race over a faster and injured one.

Questions for you: 

Have you ever taken a race out to fast? 

Do you like the 10k distance? 

Running

Pineland Striders 10k (41:00)

Hollie

It’s pretty easy to find a 5k most weekends but finding a 10k at any time of the year is difficult. A solid 6-7 mile tempo run also happens to be my “workout” distance. After my coworker (easily) convinced me to run the Pineland Striders 10k, I found myself waking up Saturday morning and heading to do a hot, humid and relatively inexpensive 10k.

I got there around 7:15 for an 8:30 start. For some reason I have this notion it takes me 45+ minutes to get anywhere in NJ from my house. Realistically that wasn’t the case and I was early. I payed, grabbed my tshirt and did a 2 mile warmup.

I found myself extremely hot at the starting line and delayering into a sports bra.  I normally don’t race in sports bras but it’s been so hot so that is two in a row. I was already sweating so I knew it would probably be better. I hid my shirt in a bush. Looking back that was dumb considering I would be pissed if someone stole it.

The race started with an air siran and we were off. There was a 5k that was basically doing half the 10k course. I just assumed all of the leaders were doing the 10k. Why I did that I don’t know.

I hit the first mile in 6:21. Not bad and not great but I wasn’t expecting great things either.  You can’t set personal records in an 85 degree+ 10k.

At 1.66, the 5kers turned around and to my shock I found myself 3rd overall (both males and females). The leaders were out of sight so I just preyed I was going the right way. I found some volunteers around mile 2 and I assumed I was.

I hit the second mile at 13 minutes exactly.  I could already feel my pace getting slower and slower.  I made my goal to finish under 42 minutes.

There wasn’t much excitement between mile 2 and 3 because I was running alone.  I have had quite a few races this has happened to me lately.  I just kept running.  I felt indifferent, I didn’t feel good or bad.  I did feel hot.  Races that you run alone, make for really boring race recaps.

We turned around at 3 miles and headed back the way we came.  It was motivating to see all of the racers and it made miles 3 and 4 go by rather quickly despite getting slower  (6:46, 6:48).

Between mile 4 and 5 a man passed me.  He was really cruising and ended up beating me by 20+ seconds.  At mile 5, two deer also crossed the road.  I’ve never done a race that animals have crossed the road.  When people think of NJ, they don’t think that there are a lot of trees and pines and gardens (The Garden State).  There were a lot of deer out during the race.  Anyways, they didn’t interfere with anyone but it was pretty cool.

Mile 5 headed onto a field and cross country type of course.  I had no idea that they were doing that and thought the entire race was on the road…surprise it wasn’t.  Maybe if I checked the course map I would have known the last mile goes onto the field and the last .2 is on a track.

When I hit the track, I sidefived a cheering girl and ran into the finish line. I immediately got water.  For winning overall female, I received the biggest trophy ever.  I am really excited by it!

metrophy

Take aways:

This was a hot, humid 10k.  I did exactly what I wanted to do.  I don’t expect any summertime PRs…although a 5k PR would be nice.  It was a lot of fun and I’m glad I did it.

Questions for you:

Have you ever gotten any trophies?

This is one of my very few.  I’m a little of a sucker for them.

Do you look at race course maps before running?

Not normally.  Actually, not really ever…I think I probably for at maximum 5 races.

Running, Wineglass

WG marathon Week 8: 55 Miles (Boring)

Hollie
Monday: 11 mile easy Nike Core and Arms
Tuesday: OFF  
Wednesday: 12.5 miles easy Nike Core
Thursday: 10.75 miles easy  
Friday: 11.25 miles easy  
Saturday: Pineland Striders 10k (41:03) total miles 10.2 Nike Core
Sunday: 15 miles easy. EDIT: OFF  

 

Thoughts:

I’m not really sure what I think about this week of training.  I had wanted to get a tempo run in but my legs were not feeling it.  My legs have absorbed all the mileage from the last few weeks and I’ve found myself extremely tired and sore.  I was hoping to make it until the week of the 6th to take a cut back week but I’m going to cut back this week.

None of my runs except for Saturday were anything exciting.  They weren’t good or bad but nothing really sticks out from them.  They were just miles in the bank.  My race on Saturday (recap Tuesday) was about the same.  It is about 3 minutes from my PR but it was hot, my legs are tired and I don’t expect a summer 10k PR.  That being said I’m happy with my effort and I can never be upset with a tempo workout.

Sunday I had planned to run a shorter long run. I woke up not really feeling anything. Running a 15 mile run wasn’t going to do anything for me and resting was just an all around better choice. I built up to a couple of 20 milers lately and that is not something I want to maintain every single week (nor would it be smart).

That’s all I really have about this week.  I don’t have anything exciting and no wild animals attacked me.  It was just another week of hot, muggy summer training.

Training plans next week:

I want to have a cut back week.  To start off, I’m getting a deep tissue massage tonight.  I know my legs desperately need it, I just haven’t wanted to cough up 100 dollars (YAY NJ is expensive in everything) for one.   I plan to rest my legs running wise.  I think I would like to do some cross training (elliptical and weights).  I don’t really have a set mileage goal next week but my goal is to really recover.  I’m hopefully doing a 5k on July 4th.  I’m hoping a few days of TLC will really get me feeling good.

Questions for you:

Do you get deep tissue massages?

What are your best methods of recovery from hard training weeks?