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November 25, 2004
Good Turkey Day with a Few Hitches
I definitely can not say that dinner tonight went off without a hitch. Mom and I ran into a few roadblocks, but we got around them and had a very enjoyable dinner. Running this morning was also pretty nice, so in all it has been a terrific Thanksgiving.
I woke up early enough to head over to the Thanksgiving morning races. It was quite warm when I got up, over 60. I was happy that I was not treating these as real races. That means not having to get up as early or get stressed at all. I registered and got both of my numbers. I almost did not wear my racing outfit, but this is one of the biggest local events and I really should have it on for our sponsoror. Racing shoes were left at home, that would turn it into a real race. I did wear my new Zoom Milers for the 10K, I'm still not too sure if I like them.
I did about a 3 minute warm-up since this was only supposed to be a tempo effort. Other runners who were not participating for various reasons kept saying that I was going to run so much faster than I was planning. Nobody believed that I was really going to be doing it as a workout. During the first mile I was running with one of the top 60+ runners in at least the area, if not the country. He said either we're really tired or everyone else is running too fast. The first mile and a half of this course are very downhill, so lots of people go out way too fast. I think that I was in fourth at the mile. I was slowly picking people off as we started to climb. This course climbs from about a mile and a half until a little bit past the four mile point, when you go back down what you've climbed. At the 2 mile point I was securely in second and closing in on the leading woman. I think that I passed her around 2 1/4 miles and ended up running with some guy the rest of the way. He was really getting on my nerves since very time I tried to pass him, he would surge. I kept telling myself to let him do it, every time he did he came right back. If I were him, I would have been pretty ticked on the way back in because everyone was cheering for me. At one point, he did look back and tell me that no other woman was in sight. I finished in 39:47 which made me happy for a tempo run. Last year I ran it a minute faster as a tempo, but considering how much trouble I've had this year, this was satisfactory. It started to rain a few minutes after I finished, but luckily I was already under the aquaduct.
I jogged back to my car. I was going to keep the same uniform on since it really was not all that sweaty, but it got soaked by the rain. I changed into an older racing uniform in my car and changed into my regular training shoes. I switched numbers and headed over for the start of the 5K. I did not realize how far in the back I lined up. There were walkers in front of me! I did run a very even race and was passing people all the way. At the turn around I saw a guy who I used to date and decided to drop the hammer a little bit because I couldn't let him beat me. I finished the 5K in about 21:50. Somehow I won my age group in this race.
I won two sweatshirts, one of which my brother proudly wore all day. For the 10K, I won a men's XL hooded sweat shirt that says "overall winner" down the sleeve. Hello, I usually need an XS or S, the thing is huge. For the 5K I got a regular sweatshirt that says "division winner" on the sleeve. This one is a medium, so it isn't quite as big.
The guy I used to date told me I should come over for his Thanksgiving brunch, but I was lazy all day yesterday and did not do any of the cooking I needed to get done. My brother was in bed until about 3:00 and I had no access to the computer since it is in his room. I had to make the dessert and all of the sides for dinner tonight. I got the dessert (pumpkin angel food cake roll) done early without a hitch. I did all of the prep for my potatoes and was waiting to put them in the oven with the turkey. I went to put the potatoes in the oven and we realized that the oven was not working anymore. The element thing-ee wasn't orange anymore and the temperature was only 215. Not good. My dad had to reset something so that the oven would work, but he wasn't at home so we had to call him to get it done. Anyhow, after all of the drama, we had a very enjoyable dinner.
Tomorrow is my day off. We're having family portraits done and then going out to lunch. I have to take my brother to get his Christmas present in the afternoon and buy the spikes I didn't get around to buying yesterday. I also have to bake gingerbread cookies for the race our club is putting on this weekend. I found the cutest running shoe and runner cookie cutters and need to use them.
I hope that everyone else had enjoyable meals with their families!
Posted by Blondie at November 25, 2004 09:27 PM
Comments
Hi, nice job in your two workouts! You seemed to have great efforts. How cool to be able to run two races in one day and to pick up prizes as well is great! Sounds like a fun day. I have never seen a runner cookie cutter. I'll have to be on the look out for one - it sounds useful. Hope you enjoy your day off tomorrow. Good strides..
Posted by: Mary at November 26, 2004 12:03 AM
Nice workouts! Too bad they gave you extra-humungous sweatshirts! Happy (belated) Thanksgiving to you! Meghan
Posted by: Meghan at November 26, 2004 12:38 PM
Great job in the double workout! That is sweet that you won the 10k, especially as a tempo run. Have a great weekend!
Posted by: Barb at November 26, 2004 02:37 PM
Great job in both of your races. what a fun day! how many people can say they did 2 races in one day..and did so well too! nice job
Posted by: liz at November 29, 2004 12:08 AM