« Getting Late | Main | Up and Down »
August 03, 2005
It's A Family Affair
Tonight was family night. My father and I both participated in a 5K and my mom was our cheerleader. Dad walked and I ran(duh). Even up until when I got there I was not too sure how I was going to approach this race and in retrospect I may not have made the best decision. It was definintely hot and I don't really want to miss my hill workout tomorrow because in the long run I'll get a lot more out of that than today's 5K. The main reasons I did this were that I had talked my dad into running and it was to raise money for the Lance Armstrong Foundation. I got there early and was shocked at how many people were already there.
After getting my number (Dad and I pre-registered) and losing it and getting another number from the race directors, I went off on a short warm-up. Given how hot it was and the fact that I don't really need to be racking up the miles at this point, a long warm-up was not necessary. I changed into my racing shoes and looked for a place to take a leak. This was no easy feat in itself because of all the people and that the area is rather open. I saw a number of women who I will not let beat me, under any circumstances. I know that my pride does get in the way of the big picture, but I just can not let certain women beat me. One of these individuals does one of my pet peeves and that is the sole reason that she will not ever beat me in a race. I won't go into further detail, but she is running particularly fast for this reason. We lined up and the race directors announced that there were 1000 people registered (a record for a 5K here, not to mention an inaugural 5K on a weeknight).
At this point I decided that I might as well make a go for it. There was one woman who I knew could beat me, but I have beaten her before. Other than that I was not too sure. My pacing is still off and my race tactics were not too good, but in all I can't complain too much about the race. My first mile was way too fast, my second mile hurt alot, the third mile, well I was passing people, but it wasn't too hot either. My splits were so ugly that I don't even want to write down what they were. I finished in 19:29, the time that I just can't seem to get away from. Twenty minutes for a warm down gave me about 7 miles for the night.
In all, I can't complain too much because I did take a week off not that long ago. Not to mention that my body is just recovering from the marathon that I did. For a well-educated person, I do some stupid things (like deciding 3 weeks before a marathon to run it without training for it!). I've just started to do some workouts again. Finally it was hot. I know that it was hot for everyone, but I also know that my body does not handle heat well at all.
The post race party was cool with lots of soft pretzels (my absolute favorite food that I hardly ever indulge in) and beer. I felt guilty leaving my parents for too long of time to mingle. They got the chance to meet more of my running friends. They have met some of them before, but they got to meet even more of them. I got a gift certificate to a steak house, great since I don't eat meat. I'll take my parents and it will buy a drink for me. It was not for a whole lot of money, but it will be nice to go out to dinner with my parents.
Dad did great. He walked the 5K in 46 minutes. He can do it in a little under 45 minutes on the treadmill in the basement, but it is not nearly as hot down there or as humid. He also had to start way in the back, so it took him a while to get to the starting line. I was really happy to get to do a race with my dad and have mom around to cheer for us. She said that when her toes start to heal and she feels a little bit stronger she is going to start to walk and do some of the 5Ks. I can't wait!
Posted by Blondie at August 3, 2005 09:20 PM
Comments
That's so cool your family could all do the race together.
I am guessing since you got the GC you ended up winning? Think how fast you'll be when it's not hot!
I hope you wore your Lance Bracelet :)
Posted by: Audrey at August 4, 2005 07:57 AM
Congrats Blondie! I hope you realize how well you are doing. It might no be the kind of time you want but under the circumstances (weather, training, recovery, etc) you are doing incredibly well. I'm sure that once you get the training in and nail down all the fueling techniques you are going to run one very speedy marathon!
And that's awesome that you got to run with your dad!
Posted by: Nanda at August 4, 2005 01:40 PM