On Thursday night, I ran a small 2-mile race that was just about 30 minutes from home - the Dalton St. Patrick's Day 2-Miler. And, uh...I really don't know how to make a post out of a 2-mile race. I ran hard, and it was over quickly. The end.
I guess I'll elaborate, because otherwise there really is no point to this blog, is there?
It was a weird race time - 6:30 p.m. I had a pretty regular day of work beforehand, and ate normally but avoided veggies for the day, just in case. Then I pestered my husband and made him get up, go outside and take a series of pictures to prove that I dressed up for a race. He loved it. He really loves when I make him take pictures of me for the Internet. It's his favorite pastime.
I got to the race, registered on the spot and met a friend of mine to run the course as a warm-up. I think we ran the two miles at about a 10:30 pace, taking it really easy, but we did throw in a few 10-second strides at a faster pace.
The race takes place at a local church and is really family-friendly, which means that there are a lot of kids. Luckily, they made a big deal about only letting people who could run 2 miles UNDER 15 minutes at the front, which stopped some of the younger kids from getting caught up in the start and making things too chaotic. (For the record, I didn't join the speedy folks at the front, despite *spoiler alter* eventually finishing under 15 minutes).
At the start, I had my eye on a lady who typically finishes ahead of me and tried to stick with her. The first mile was 7:04, which made me so excited, because part of it was uphill. Clearly that wore me out, because even with the corresponding downhill on the second mile I slowed right down. It was hard. I was out of breath. But it was awesome.
Final time: 14:54, 1st place in my age group, 5th woman overall (7:27 pace)
Yep, I'll take that. I had a goal of 15 minutes for this race, and I got there with a few seconds to spare. It took me a couple of minutes to breathe properly afterwards, which I think means I worked for that time. Isn't that the best case scenario? Wanting to die during the race but feeling amazing after the fact? Perfect.
Of course, scooping up some bling was fun too. Loved that part a little bit.
Anyone else run a St. Patrick's Day race this weekend?
I know a few people who were in Atlanta for the Publix half and full, which I ran last year (the half!)
Just a heads up...I had someone email me about running a race this with IT band pain, which is a valid question! I understand that I am treading a fine line between resting, strengthening the area and maintaining my running fitness. I feel lucky that I have almost no pain as long as I foam roll before a run and warm-up properly, but that isn't the same for everyone!
I guess I'll elaborate, because otherwise there really is no point to this blog, is there?
It was a weird race time - 6:30 p.m. I had a pretty regular day of work beforehand, and ate normally but avoided veggies for the day, just in case. Then I pestered my husband and made him get up, go outside and take a series of pictures to prove that I dressed up for a race. He loved it. He really loves when I make him take pictures of me for the Internet. It's his favorite pastime.
I got to the race, registered on the spot and met a friend of mine to run the course as a warm-up. I think we ran the two miles at about a 10:30 pace, taking it really easy, but we did throw in a few 10-second strides at a faster pace.
The race takes place at a local church and is really family-friendly, which means that there are a lot of kids. Luckily, they made a big deal about only letting people who could run 2 miles UNDER 15 minutes at the front, which stopped some of the younger kids from getting caught up in the start and making things too chaotic. (For the record, I didn't join the speedy folks at the front, despite *spoiler alter* eventually finishing under 15 minutes).
At the start, I had my eye on a lady who typically finishes ahead of me and tried to stick with her. The first mile was 7:04, which made me so excited, because part of it was uphill. Clearly that wore me out, because even with the corresponding downhill on the second mile I slowed right down. It was hard. I was out of breath. But it was awesome.
 |
| Photo Courtesy of the Photographers at the Local High School |
Final time: 14:54, 1st place in my age group, 5th woman overall (7:27 pace)
Yep, I'll take that. I had a goal of 15 minutes for this race, and I got there with a few seconds to spare. It took me a couple of minutes to breathe properly afterwards, which I think means I worked for that time. Isn't that the best case scenario? Wanting to die during the race but feeling amazing after the fact? Perfect.
Of course, scooping up some bling was fun too. Loved that part a little bit.
 |
| My friend Julie and I and our AG medals |
Anyone else run a St. Patrick's Day race this weekend?
I know a few people who were in Atlanta for the Publix half and full, which I ran last year (the half!)
Just a heads up...I had someone email me about running a race this with IT band pain, which is a valid question! I understand that I am treading a fine line between resting, strengthening the area and maintaining my running fitness. I feel lucky that I have almost no pain as long as I foam roll before a run and warm-up properly, but that isn't the same for everyone!
Great job!
ReplyDeleteI have to say I love the socks!!! Where did you get them? and AWESOME job on the time!!!!
ReplyDeleteThey're from Target - but last year. Not compression socks, just for fun!
DeleteWoohoo, congrats on a great race and coming in under your goal time!!!
ReplyDeleteOkay, love the outfit and the bling but ESPECIALLY that you won your age group and finished in under 15 minutes. AWESOME. Tim should feel so privileged to be taking pictures of his beautiful wife! :)
ReplyDeleteHow are those kitties anyway?
Congrats on the PR and I like your festive attire! I ran a 5k Saturday and didn't wear a lick of green, and I even own a green Tshirt. But I did wear orange, and I'm Protestant, so that's right anyway, huh?
ReplyDeleteNo puking? You could have run harder. :)
ReplyDeleteawesome! I did run a race and it was actually pretty interesting. While I run a lot, this was the first time I actually entered a race, a 5K, and it was great! In an effort to find out what my 5K pace is (training for a marathon...) I placed 3rd in my age group. It was pretty cool and the girl who never cares about PRs (me) now understands the allure of PRs! LOL
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! You are just PR'ing the heck out of every race you run! Nice job Vanessa!
ReplyDeletesounds like your husband and mine have a lot in common :) GREAT JOB!!
ReplyDeleteCongrats, Speedy! :)
ReplyDeleteWow, Ms Speedy! Great job. I have to say, I didn't know there were TWO mile races! That's an interesting distance, as I wouldn't really know when to put on the gas and would probably go out too fast and poop out in the end!
ReplyDeleteYou totally look like the actress Kate Mara. Random, I know.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the age group win!
ReplyDeleteNice job being speedy and looking good doing it! I don't know that i have ever done a 2 mile race, but wouldn't mind trying sometime, always fun to get an automatic PR.
ReplyDeleteI didn't even know there were such things as two mile races. Nice job!!
ReplyDeletecongrats on the pr! that's a cool photo of you at the finish with a beautiful stride ;) i'm running a shamrock 8k, but not until april 7th. weird right?
ReplyDeleteStop being so cute. Okay, don't stop...I love it. Danggg girl you dropped some speed on it! Congrats!
ReplyDeleteSpeedy McSpeederson! Great work, lady.
ReplyDeleteCan I say AMAZING...GREAT TIME! You are such a fast girl!
ReplyDeleteWhen did you get so dang fast?!?!?! Woohoo!!!!
ReplyDeleteNICE! Super speedy! Way to make the husband go, you know he secretly loved it. This was the first year in a long time that I didn't run a St. Patty's Day race!
ReplyDeleteYou look smoking fast in that running picture. Congrats on such a speedy race!
ReplyDeleteCute outfit! Asking my husband to take pics of, or with, me is like pulling teeth sometimes. Lol it is his favorite pastime too. ;)
ReplyDeleteCongrats Vanessa! Cute outfit and hooray for winning your age group!
ReplyDeleteWOW! That is amazing! I cant even run ONE mile as fast as you average 2! Great job!!
ReplyDeleteAmazing!!! So fast!!! Congrats on the first place for AG! Very impressive!!!
ReplyDeleteCongrats Ms Speedy! What a cool distance to race- I havent seen any 2 milers around here in Chicago... ever! Seems like a fun distance to race :)
ReplyDeletei love your blog...
ReplyDeleteits very cool , i lovet !! :D
Greetings from Portugal :)
Arthur B