A 5K that certainly didn’t suck!

As I have said on more than one occasion: I don’t like 5K’s.  I have come to the realization that I don’t like racing a 5k (it hurts).  But I enjoy running a 5K when I am running with someone else and there is no pressure to go fast.  I ran a 5K on Monday that may go down as my favorite race EVER.

I ran a race with my seven-year-old son. I don’t write a ton about my kids here on this blog, but I am so proud, I have to write about him. Above everything else, I started this blog to document my running journey.  Having my kids inspired to run is such a big part of that journey.

Last week, when I picked up my shirt and bib for my 5K and 10k, they offered me a second shirt since I paid for two races.  At first I declined and then my son asked if he could have it.  It was a tech shirt (a nice score for a local 5K) and he told me he wanted to run in it.  “Can I run a race?” It was the first time he had mentioned wanting to run.  I told him that we would pick a 5K and train for it. 

I knew that the following weekend was the annual Firecracker 5K and 10K. I thought, what the heck, I could sign him up for the 5K and he could run as much as he could and then walk the rest.  There would be plenty of walkers during the event. When I told him, he was SO excited!  That is all he could talk about for days.  Since I was injured* and couldn’t run the 10K as I had planned, it made me excited to run the 5K with him.


We live super close to the start of the race, so we warmed up by jogging to the start.  We were both SO excited!

He took off after the gun went off.  One thing he needs to learn is pacing.  He either sprinted or walked.  He had a tough time finding a middle ground.

It was a hot, hot morning.  When the race started at 7:30, it was already well into the 70’s.  I carried a bottle of Nuun with me.  I am so glad I did. I read somewhere that kids’ bodies have a harder time regulating temperature than adults.  They also don’t recognize their bodies’ feedback, so it was my job to make sure he was safely finishing the race.


 
He took a lot more walk breaks in the last mile, but he did not complain once!!  He just walked a bit and then started running again.  When we got closer to the end, I encouraged him to run to the finish.  I knew he would want to look back at the last few hundred yards on the high school track** with pride.

And pride was all that I felt at the end.  He really pushed himself toward that finish line. We held hands crossing the finish line and I was so happy!  We finished in 36:51, which isn’t bad for a first timer who has never run any measured distance!

He was so proud.  He told people it was LONG.  But it wasn’t long before he started telling people that he wanted to run a 10K.  Oh…that boy is definitely his mother’s son!***


I hope you all had a wonderful holiday weekend.  Did you race on the biggest race day of the year?

Question for coaches, health professionals and parents:  how far is too far for a child?  My son really wants to run a 10K on Thanksgiving.  He’ll be 8. We would train gradually, but there isn’t a lot of definitive answers or age guidelines out there.  I want to make sure he stays healthy and becomes a runner for life.  What do you think?


Happy Running…


*Somehow while pushing myself in the Villa Park races, I did something to my hip.  I could barely walk for about three days last week.  After resting for five days, I went for a run on Saturday and had to walk after five miles. I can’t get into the doctor for another week, so I am taking it very easy.  Luckily, the slow pace we did during the 4th of July run didn’t aggravate the injury.
**Daddy took some great video of the end of the race!  Once it is edited, I may post it.
***He might actually take after his father more.  I didn’t start running until I was 40 years old.  My husband ran when he was a kid and all the way through high school and college.  In fact, he still holds the record at his high school for the mile.  Unfortunately, he doesn’t like to run anymore, so I am on my own.  Maybe once the kids both start, he’ll make it a family affair.

Gladiator Rock ‘N Run— Not Your Typical Bridal Party

Ah, running…I love you!  Not only does running keep me sane.  Running keeps me healthy.  I have all the typical reasons for loving running.  Running also opens up opportunities for some fun events.  VERY fun events.

A couple of weeks ago I ran the Gladiator Rock ‘N Run and had a fabulous time. The name of our team was “Not Your Typical Bridal Party.”  You see, I wore a wedding dress and my girlfriends wore bridesmaids dresses and my brother wore a tuxedo shirt.  I tried to talk my husband, Kenny, into running with me, but he wanted to follow us to take video and pictures. He was our own private paparazzi. Instead, my brother ran with us.  He wrote “Best Man…She’s my SISTER.”

So why trash a perfectly good wedding dress? Well, in 1991, I got married.  It was a big, traditional wedding with all the pomp and circumstance.  Unfortunately, that marriage only lasted about two years.  For some reason, I kept the dress, all boxed up by the dry cleaners and moved it from house to house, state to state.  I kept thinking I could sell it.  However, I don’t think the Craigslist crowd appreciated the early-nineties styling and I never got any offers each time I tried to sell it.  It seemed like a waste to donate such an expensive dress.  So, the last time I did the Gladiator Run, I decided that I needed to dress in a cool costume the next time.  When I saw that it was coming back to Southern California this spring I had a brilliant idea!  It was the best costume idea EVER.

I originally wanted to have it altered to be shorter to make it easier to run.  Then I thought that cutting the train off would do the trick.  Kenny wouldn’t let me.  He told me that the pictures would be so much better with the train in tact. I then decided I wanted to score it to make it easier to rip off when it got difficult to run. Again, he told me to leave it.  I did make him bring some scissors just in case…but I was committed to running this thing, train and all.  I figured I would just gather it up and run holding a bunch of (heavy) satin beaded fabric.  I am SO glad I didn’t change the dress.  The best thing about running in that thing was the difficulty involved and the kudos that came with that.

It was a three mile run with some obstacles.  Under normal circumstances, it would be fun (if you like that sort of thing—which I do!)  It is better to tell this story with pictures.  So here you go!  *warning…this is very picture-heavy.

Getting Ready (a little different than a typical bride gets ready for the festivities)

Dan “Nitro” Clark, former American Gladiator and creator of the Gladiator Rock ‘N Run, wanted to get a picture with us!

My bridesmaids were committed to the train!

And we’re off!!!

And, yes…I was able to run (with a little help from my bridesmaids)

Still committed to the train!

The first wet and wild obstacle!  Here is where the fun really starts!

It was a great setting for a race!  This would be a nice setting for an actual wedding.

Before the mud pit!  My brother picked me up before we had to crawl on hands and knees under the flags.

I guess I had a moment of panic, because I don’t look too happy in this next picture…. I don’t remember feeling like I was going to cry, but that is how I look.  I love the juxtaposition between my face and my brother’s.

There is some joy!

When I got done with that mud pit, I was struck by how extremely HEAVY that dress had become.  I seriously considered taking it off and finishing the run in my sports bra and shorts.

This is a grainy crop, but you can see the look on my face as my brother helps me up.

Another hill!! It was way harder than my hill repeats at home.  LOL.

More mud!!

I LOVE how in the next few pictures, Sandra has the biggest smile on her face.  As a little side note, Sandra took up running in September.  She ran her first half marathon in January.  She is my friend who took a wrong turn in a trail race, added extra mileage and said she would do it all again. Running is definitely opening up a world to her as well…

After the race, they had a green screen for group pictures.  The line was pretty long.  Unfortunately, Jen couldn’t wait in the line.  I wanted to get as much documentation of this adventure as I could get.  The coolest thing that the race did was arrange for each runner to get one free digital download of a picture,  Additional pictures (low resolution) were $14.  I wish every race would do that!

Dan “Nitro” Clark came to get an “after” picture with us and this was my free download:

My brother told me that he nearly threw his back out picking me up the second time.  Apparently, I weighed a LOT more at the end of the race than I did when he picked me up before the mud.

For the second time, this race did not disappoint!  Other than some back-ups at obstacles (that didn’t really happen the first time I ran it), the race was nicely organized.  There were plenty of porta potties and people working the bag check. They had a nice selection of vendors at the “after-party.”  They had a good selection of fun bands.  Once again, the mud was the best mud of any mud run I have run.  It had the perfect balance of liquid and dirt to make it cover EVERYTHING.  Other mud runs don’t even come close.  If this race comes to your area, I definitely recommend it.

Happy Running….

Celebrating Accomplishments

I feel very proud of what I have accomplished with my running.  However, I hate it when people downplay their own accomplishments by comparing themselves to me.  When talking about fitness, I often get, “I ran three miles yesterday, which is nothing for someone like you…” or “my little run must seem silly to you..”  Not at all!  It is all about pushing yourself out of your comfort zone.  I am especially excited if I can be part of someone taking those steps toward fitness.

I know a woman who has struggled with her weight.  She is determined to get in shape and has started walking.  Walking for an hour is difficult for her, but she does it.  She puts one foot in front of the other and gets out there.  Good for her!  I am sure that often her walk is harder for her than a six mile run is for me.  So is that any less of an accomplishment?

I recently had a friend complete her first 5K.  To me, in some ways, that is as big of an accomplishment as running a marathon.  She isn’t an athlete and has been working hard to get out there and run.  She doesn’t run fast, but she runs.  That 5K was a big step and a scary one.  When you have never run a race, it is an intimidating thing.  She got out there and did it and I am super proud of her. 

A couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to pace my sister-in-law in her third 5K.  It was a beautiful morning at the beach and a small, fun race.   Kristi likes to run with music.  As we were lined up at the start, she said to me, “I know it’s silly, but I am really nervous.”  That’s not silly at all!  It is totally normal to be nervous.  I still get nervous starting a race.  Any race. I told her that the nerves would help her.  She hadn’t run much since her 5K on July 4.  Her work schedule had been crazy and between that, her three-hour round trip commute and raising her five-year-old daughter, she didn’t have a lot of extra time to run. She warned me that I would be running my slowest 5K ever.  She convinced herself that it would be her personal worst.  I told her that she might surprise herself.
 
We started off and her nerves had her running a bit faster than we ran in July.  I told her that she had plenty of room to slow down.  It was a beautiful sunny day in Malibu and it was starting to get hot.  The race didn’t have any water after the first mile.  I was proud of Kristi who kept going with a smile.

There were three runners right by us at the starting line who told us they were running their first 5K’s.  I congratulated them.  When I saw them out on the course, I cheered them on and when I saw them afterward, I asked how it went.  I think it is important to encourage runners of all shapes and sizes to push themselves and to celebrate it.  They were all very excited and proud.

As we were deep into the second mile, I realized that we were on pace to come pretty close to Kristi’s last 5K.  I pointed out the finish line and told her that she definitely wasn’t running her slowest 5K.  I encouraged her to pick up the pace a bit.  She dug deep and sprinted toward the end.  As I stopped my Garmin, I was so excited.  Her time was 34:29—eight seconds faster than her previous PR!!  As I showed it to her, I was as excited as I would be if it were my own PR.  I had tears in my eyes as she realized that she had pushed herself hard enough to achieve a personal best.


Once again, I had a great pacing experience.  It reminded me that each accomplishment needs to be celebrated.  Each person has his/her own obstacles to overcome.  Whether an accomplishment is someone taking that first walk around the block, running a 5K PR or qualifying for Boston, we need to recognize it as a personal achievement,  I am fortunate that I am able to be part of several women achieving their goals.  In the next several weeks, I will be celebrating even more accomplishments as two of my friends complete their first half marathons and another her first full marathon.  I’m looking forward to it!

Congratulations to Tess on getting out there and walking/jogging, Mellisa for running your first 5K and Kristi for setting a new personal best.  You are all stars!!

Mary Castle Firecracker 10K/5K Race Report

On July 3, the community where I live had an Independence Day celebration.  They had a pancake breakfast, a dog show and fireworks.  They also had a 10K and 5K race.  The start and finish was at the high school, which is so close to my house, I can hear the class bells during the day.  I can hear the marching band practicing and see the lights on the field during sporting events.   How could I not run this race?

The race started early.  It was called the “10K Dawn Run” and began at 8 a.m.  My friend, Marci came and parked at my house at 5:30 and we jogged to the race area for a nice little warm-up.  I had picked up my packet, but Marci had to register.

 

We didn’t wait long before we were ushered to the starting area.  The race was chip-timed, which was a pleasant surprise, considering that this is a relatively small local race.  If a little race like this can afford to do chip timing, there is no excuse for any bigger races not to do it.

Marci asked what my goal was and I wasn’t exactly sure.  I had only done three other 10k’s and one of them was the Nike+ Human Race.  My PR was from that Nike+ race (55 minutes and change) that was pretty much on the honor system, so it never really felt real.  I knew that I could PR with relative ease, since those races were in 2007 (my first race ever) and 2008.  I told her that I would like to run it at around an 8 minute pace, if possible.  She was good with that.  Before we knew it, we were off.

We started off running on the track and then out on a road I drive or run on all the time.  There were some rolling hills in the first few miles, which I love.  I haven’t run with a friend in a race in a very long time.  It was strange to run next to someone you run and chat with and not say a word.  I made some editorial comments hear and there.  I thanked volunteers and spectators.  At the first water station, it was obvious that the volunteers were pretty new at this.  They had some water poured, but they chatted with each other and didn’t hold the cups out at all.  It was only around mile 1, so no one seemed to mind.  I didn’t.  I did notice that the same girls were handing them out on the way back.  They must have figured it out by then.  The first two miles were 7:47 and 8:04—we were off to a good start.

After the second mile, the course started uphill.  The name of our community is Anaheim Hills, so it was no surprise.  I had run this road before and knew what to expect.  What I didn’t expect was that it turned up yet another, steeper, road before turning around.  There was a water stop at that turn and we grabbed water and stopped to walk while we drank it.  Marci said breathlessly, “I’m dying.”  We kept up that steepest part of the course toward the turnaround.  The only redeeming fact about that incline was that I knew that we got to run down it in a few minutes.  That third mile of the race was our slowest, by far: 8:47.

There was a very athletic blonde girl running ahead of us most of the race.  In my head, I wanted to pass her.  I knew she was younger than me, but she looked strong and I wanted to pass her.  As Marci and I flew down the hills in the fourth mile after the turn-around, we passed her.  I didn’t know whether or not Marci was competitive like me during races or I would have high-fived her.  But then I thought that might be rude.  It would have been premature, too.  When we reached the flatter terrain, she passed us again.  I’m glad I hadn’t been cocky.  The fourth mile, which is mostly downhill was 7:33.  The fifth mile was 8:08, just slightly slower than the same stretch of road in the beginning.

As we turned onto the track for the final stretch, I knew I had a bit more left.  I could see the tall blonde ahead of me.  Marci and I had run the entire race together, but I really wanted to sprint it in.  I picked it up and sprinted the final 200 meters.  I passed the blond!!  I ran across the finish line and saw 50:XX.  I was THRILLED.  That was five minutes off my previous PR.  The last mile was 8:01 and the final few hundred yards were run at a 7:03 pace!

Marci came in about fifteen seconds behind me.  She congratulated me for my strong finish and I was relieved that she wasn’t upset that I took off.  She told me that if she could have talked, she would have yelled, “Go, Lisa!!”  She also thanked me for passing the blonde.  LOL.  I knew she and I were good running mates!

Marci had to leave, but I stayed around to run the 5K with my sister-in-law, Kristi.  I had promised her to run next to her, to help her meet her goal for her second 5K.  She is very new to running and was pretty nervous.  I was looking forward to a nice cool down after the really tough 10K we had just run.

We started out the first mile a bit faster than I thought was wise for her goal, but she was all smiles and felt great.  I thought that maybe her goal (under 35 minutes) was too conservative for the extra running she had done.  I didn’t slow her down, but I did let her know what her pace was. 

By the time we hit the end of the second mile, I knew she was hurting a bit.  She stopped for a moment to walk and when her iPod froze, I thought for a moment, she was going to cry.  Luckily, that had happened to me before and I was able to reset it so she could continue to listen to her music.

We continued and I occasionally told her about the terrain or how much further we had.  When I told her that we were feet from turning into the track for the finish, she lit up.  She turned on the steam and really started going.  I am so proud that her last few hundred yards were run at the fastest pace of the day.  She really dug deep.  We crossed the finish line in 34:30!!!  She beat her goal by 30 seconds!!  She thanked me for pushing her, although she really just pushed herself.  I merely gave her information throughout the race to help her.
My family doesn’t usually come to my races.  It is tough to get the kids up that early and my husband gets stressed out trying to navigate all the logistics of finding Mommy.  He came down to my first two marathons and was totally bummed when he missed me at one of his viewing spots.  Since this one was so close, my husband brought the kids down to the race on their bikes. 

My biggest fans!

We waited for the awards because I had a feeling that I might win an age group award.  I had only counted four women in front of us and was pretty sure we both did pretty well.  I heard Marci’s name called as the winner of her age group.  Yippee!!  As they announced the winner for women 40-44, I thought I heard the winning time of 53:00!  What???  I had come in three minutes ahead of that.  I went and looked at the results, I wasn’t listed.  I was nearly in tears.

I went to the timing trailer to try to work it out.  There were a couple of other runners with the same problem.  There was a list that was posted right after the 10K that had me listed as the winner of my AG.  The timing official explained that when I stepped on the timing mat during the 5K, it erased my 10K time and gave me a new start time.  ACK!!!  Why didn’t I just take that dumb chip off and throw it away?  Luckily he was able to change my time based on what my Garmin said.  Unfortunately, he was only able give me my gun time instead of my chip time.  That changed my time from 50:23 to 50:42.  I was still the winner of my age group, but I went from 5th woman to 6th woman.  I didn’t care.  I won my very first division award!!!

Woo hoo!!  I’m the winner!

I was running for Team Jamba and there was a Jamba Juice tent.  I was so excited.  I was looking forward to helping to hand out samples, but the Jamba folks were selling smoothies instead of giving samples.  They were employees of the local store.  They also asked me to explain to people that they wouldn’t accept the coupons I was handing out.  It was a little bit of a letdown.  I still handed out a bunch of coupons and sent people to the Jamba Juice store across the street.



I was suppose to run around 15 miles on my training plan, but I was happy with 9 1/2 (with part of it a pretty tough tempo run).  I had another race on the schedule the next day…..  but that is another post.  ;-)   It was a great run and a great day!

Happy Running….