Before we get to the race, here’s how the workouts this week went:
Monday: 4 miles
Tuesday: Rest
Wednesday: 6 miles w/400m repeats
Thursday: Bike & Swim
Friday: 9 hilly miles
Saturday: 5k race
Sunday: Strength training
It was a mixed up, chaotic week. One that ended with a call from the school nurse and me, fresh off of my hilly 9-mile run, going to pickup Thing 2, burning up with a 103 fever. I thought I was so on top of things, getting my long run done Friday so I could run my first race of the year on Sunday, after resting Saturday. At packet pickup I realized the race was Saturday. The thought of skipping the 5k altogether crossed my mind.
St. Paddy’s Day 5k Race
Race day could not have been more beautiful. 45 degrees and partly sunny is pretty much my running sweet spot. There’s something about running a race close by, that I tend to get there later than I would otherwise. Get there I did, after dropping off Thing 1 and her track friends at the high school for practice. I parked easily and was delighted to find plenty of potties.
My plan for this race? Do what I can. A tempo-ish pace. My legs were heavy and hurting after 9 the day before. No great expectations today.
We were off right on time. As expected, at a race like this, people were lined up badly. Little kids in the front row, teenagers in tutus in the 7:00 pace area. Whatever get over it. This is supposed to be fun. This particular race organizer has an annoyingly narrow starting arch. We went over one set of timing mats then came to a dead stop because only 2-3 at a time could fit through it. Ugh. This isn’t the Olympics.
Finally I was on my way, not too fast, on a winding, turning course, much of it done on a narrow paved trail. I passed the tutus just before the first mile marker. Forgive me Father but this gave me a small spark of satisfaction. What is it about kids that they all seem to do a loud slapping thing with their feet when they run? I cheered on the kids as I passed but there were some who did not make passing easy. A couple of boys were intent on glancing behind and making sure they wove, flailed their arms and everything else to make passing impossible. Almost.
The entire course rolled but mile 3 was almost all uphill. I felt like I was standing still as the rest of the field swallowed me up. I kept on, however slow, and dragged myself in while the 10k runners headed out for another loop. Thank heavens I didn’t sign up for the 10k. Surely I’d die. This may be the first time ever I was limited by dead legs rather than lactate threshold in a 5k.
The finish area featured a live Irish band and chocolate milk, green soda, cupcakes and cookies, as well as granola bars and bananas. I passed on all except water and green soda. Pretty sure that’s the first green soda I’ve had this century.
Finish Time: 27:00
AG:1/67
Not a great race for me, but shockingly good enough to take home some age group swag. Other than the narrow starting arch, this race was well done. The tee is great quality and can I tell you how much I love the pint glass? I’ve been coveting a race pint glass (I didn’t have to purchase) for eons.
I’m linking up with Holly and Tricia for the Weekly Wrap. How was your week? Congrats to all the racers! Did you race?
No race for me but my last really long run… 20 miles. Should have been longer but with jet lag and Florida heat, and some knee niggles, I figured 20 would do just fine.
CONGRATS ! on your AG finish.
Congratulations. Those boys!! I would have been tempted to do something not nice to them. I know they probably thought it was fun but it’s not to runners.
I was wondering why you would run 9 miles the day before your race! I did something like that once. I accidentally was on the elliptical for an hour the day before the Baltimore Marathon. Congrats on your AG win and cool pint glass is a cool swag!
Congrats on that AG award! Sounds like it was kind of an annoying race but you prevailed. No tutu for you, I guess?
Nice job, especially after running 9 the day before! I was signed up for a St Patrick’s Day 5k this weekend but ended up going to Boston for my friend’s baby shower. I don’t think I’m really ready to run a 5k, so I was secretly a little glad to be skipping it.
Yay for first race of the year!! I love how St. Patty’s Day usually brings out these fun neighborhood style races. And good job for running after inadvertently doing your long run the day before!!
Hooray for AG awards.
Green soda!?
Wow, you can’t complain about 1st place! It must have only been the teenagers who passed you on that hill. Nice swag too.
Nice work on the AG win! yahoo! Always nice to get some little extra swag! What’s up with all the crazy high fevers this week. My oldest is finally on the mend!
Congratulations on your race and bringing home an age group award. That’s always exciting!
OK, I’m coining (stealing) a new phrase…passing the tutus. Love it. And love to do it. So you’re the one who stole all the good weather this weekend. Congratulations on a great race! That looks like a yummy mint chocolate chip shake in that sweet pint glass. Just sayin’. I hope Thing 2 is feeling better now. Thanks for linking up with us Marcia.
Congrats on the awesome 5K! That is great you got an extra little token of love 🙂
We have a local 10K here that gets crazy, it is hard to PR in it because you do some much weaving but it is fun.
Our sweet spots are very similar 🙂
It was such great weather this weekend for a run! And congrats on the great job!
woot! I’m sure that green shirt had something to do with it 😉 Those kind of races, though they are meant to be fun, do get on my nerves. I’m all for having fun and dressing in costume (believe it or not), but I also think if it’s a “race,” it needs to allow that to be feasible. My biggest pet peeve is when people crowd the start line, no matter their pace. Good job on gritting it out and kicking (green) tail 😉
Congrats on first AG and passing those tutus….how fun was that? I do find that some runners just don’t get race etiquette and while I understand with kids, it always amazes me when groups are across the whole road.
I have one race pint glass that I LOVE! And I don’t drink (I use it for smoothies).
I don’t think a race would be a race without some annoying runners in it, but your description was so entertaining!
I think you did great; no way would I want to race today after tackling my own hilly race yesterday — although thankfully everything feels fine.
Congrats!!! No racing and very little running for me last week. Searching for my mojo still!
It’s a good thing that race isn’t serious, otherwise the runners would’ve taken care of those weaving boys. It’s amazing how much elbowing happens on track races. Congrats on your age placement.
Oh no, I hate when you mix up which day a race falls on! I have made the mistake of thinking a Sunday race was on Saturday, but not the other way around. I’m glad you were able to pass those boys, sounds like they needed a bit of a reality check 😉 Great solid effort and cool pint glass!
Woohoo! Awesome job Marcia! Way to get it done on a hilly course and having done a 9 miler the day before! Cool medal and love the pint glass! Congrats on the AG award!
Great job Marcia…and a 9 miler the day before?! You are my hero! Hope your daughter’s feeling better!
I want a race pint glass so bad. I raced a sprint tri last fall & they were the age group awards. I actually managed to WIN my age group. Only to have them run out of pint glasses. The RD said she would mail me one & never did. Even though I emailed several times to follow up & even offered to come pick it up myself. Sigh. Still on the hunt.
Congrats!
congrats on that finish even with a difficult start! Kids………..I am glad that are out but yes, their race manners are horrible! Great swag and I would tinkled with that pint glass too!
I could use a pint glass. That would be cool as race swag. Did you wear green? We didn’t see many that I remember dressed in green in our race even though it was near St Patty day. How great you were able to snag an AG award! That is awesome! Hope Your daughter is better.
Congrats on the AG win! Nice work, lady!
Score on the ag win and coolio swag, L! You’re on a great start to Monumental! 🙂
Miss you!!