Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Beat the New Year 5k
I recently became a race reporter for pacepermile.com. Each week I feature 2-3 upcoming races in Utah to spread the word and get more people involved. A couple of weeks ago I featured the 34th annual Beat the New Year 5k race that is put on by the Salt Lake City Track Club. It sounded like a fun race to do on New Year's Eve, so I registered my huband and myself for the race.
We arrived at Highland High School at about 10:35 PM on New Year's Eve. We checked in, received our t-shirts and put on our bib numbers. This race was not chip timed and all the bib numbers were the same - 2012. They had a raffle for some vests, hats and other swag at 10:45 PM. I was surprised at how many people were there. You could tell most of them were avid runners. After all, who else wants to run in the middle of the night on New Years right? At 11 PM everyone started walking to the starting line which was about a quarter mile away. The course is 2 laps of a paved road that runs through Sugarhouse Park. All of the fastest runners got to the front of the line facing west. There was a little bit of confusion when they realized that the front of the line is actually facing east so everyone was scrambling about trying to find the perfect starting spot. We waited 15 minutes until 11:30 for the race to start. I love waiting at a starting line. The energy around you is almost tangible. There were a couple of people that dressed up for the event. Some guys were dressed in tutus, one was dressed as a band member of Kiss and I think I saw someone dressed as Superman pass me during the race. I also managed to get a glimpse of father time walking around the starting line .
When 11:30 hit the race director started the race. The race started a the top of a hill so right when you start you're running at a fast pace. I looked down at my GPS watch and my pace was at a 6:15 minute mile. Then I hit the first hill. I usually run around the Centerville area which generally flat. There aren't a lot of rolling hills around my neighborhood. When I want to do hill runs I have to go drive somewhere to find a good one, which I rarely do. This weakness showed during the race.
After the first half mile my body felt so heavy. I checked my watch again and I was at an 8 to 8 1/2 minute mile pace now. I was yelling inside my head to run faster but my body was not obeying my commands. I picked up speed down the 2nd hill and slowed to what felt like a snail's pace when I started back up the hill towards the starting line to start the 2nd lap. It was about that time that I noticed my heart rate on my watch - 200. Holy smokes, why was my heart rate so high?! No wonder I I was struggling. That's a good 30-40 beats per minute higher than my normal heart rate during a race. I decided I to back off a little and let my heart rate drop down. I slowed my pace down. Everytime I looked at my watch my heart rate was still in the 190s. I ended up finishing the race in 27:27. I had a cold the week before that I thought I was over but the race made me realize that I wasn't yet. I was coughing up yucky stuff for the next two days.
At the finish line I was handed a nice wooden plaque. My husband was waiting for me and greeted me after the race. A couple of minutes later the time struck midnight and we could see all the fireworks go off around the valley. Even though I was way off from setting a new personal record I still beat the New Year so I was happy. We walked back to the high school and drank some hot chocolate. We had a fun time running in the New Year!
We arrived at Highland High School at about 10:35 PM on New Year's Eve. We checked in, received our t-shirts and put on our bib numbers. This race was not chip timed and all the bib numbers were the same - 2012. They had a raffle for some vests, hats and other swag at 10:45 PM. I was surprised at how many people were there. You could tell most of them were avid runners. After all, who else wants to run in the middle of the night on New Years right? At 11 PM everyone started walking to the starting line which was about a quarter mile away. The course is 2 laps of a paved road that runs through Sugarhouse Park. All of the fastest runners got to the front of the line facing west. There was a little bit of confusion when they realized that the front of the line is actually facing east so everyone was scrambling about trying to find the perfect starting spot. We waited 15 minutes until 11:30 for the race to start. I love waiting at a starting line. The energy around you is almost tangible. There were a couple of people that dressed up for the event. Some guys were dressed in tutus, one was dressed as a band member of Kiss and I think I saw someone dressed as Superman pass me during the race. I also managed to get a glimpse of father time walking around the starting line .
When 11:30 hit the race director started the race. The race started a the top of a hill so right when you start you're running at a fast pace. I looked down at my GPS watch and my pace was at a 6:15 minute mile. Then I hit the first hill. I usually run around the Centerville area which generally flat. There aren't a lot of rolling hills around my neighborhood. When I want to do hill runs I have to go drive somewhere to find a good one, which I rarely do. This weakness showed during the race.
After the first half mile my body felt so heavy. I checked my watch again and I was at an 8 to 8 1/2 minute mile pace now. I was yelling inside my head to run faster but my body was not obeying my commands. I picked up speed down the 2nd hill and slowed to what felt like a snail's pace when I started back up the hill towards the starting line to start the 2nd lap. It was about that time that I noticed my heart rate on my watch - 200. Holy smokes, why was my heart rate so high?! No wonder I I was struggling. That's a good 30-40 beats per minute higher than my normal heart rate during a race. I decided I to back off a little and let my heart rate drop down. I slowed my pace down. Everytime I looked at my watch my heart rate was still in the 190s. I ended up finishing the race in 27:27. I had a cold the week before that I thought I was over but the race made me realize that I wasn't yet. I was coughing up yucky stuff for the next two days.
At the finish line I was handed a nice wooden plaque. My husband was waiting for me and greeted me after the race. A couple of minutes later the time struck midnight and we could see all the fireworks go off around the valley. Even though I was way off from setting a new personal record I still beat the New Year so I was happy. We walked back to the high school and drank some hot chocolate. We had a fun time running in the New Year!
Right after the race
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Saturday, November 26, 2011
Santa Run 5K
From the first time I heard about this race I wanted to run in it. How could I pass up running a 5K in a full Santa suit?! Instead of a swag bag/shirt you get an entire Santa suit to run in (pants, jacket, belt, hat and beard!).
Over 700 people ran in this race. The start was at 22nd street and Washington Blvd in Ogden at 4:30 PM on a chilly Saturday afternoon. The street had been closed for the race. The race director had everyone line up at the starting line 15 minutes prior to the start time to do warm-ups. About every minute or so the race director would announce how many minutes were left until the start. I was starting to get nervous. Before the race I ran into a couple of people from my triathlon team. We chatted and discussed what time we wanted to get for this race. I decided that I wanted to beat my previous 5K time of 24:30. I'd set this goal for myself to accomplish by the end of 2012.
The course was 2 1/2 laps of four city blocks. It started at 22nd street and then the turnaround was at 26th street. The race started and off I went. 700+ Santas rushed down the street. I wasn't a quarter mile into the first mile before I realized I was overdressed. I started burning up. I wore my normal winter running gear and didn't account for the fact that the Santa suit would add so much heat. Wearing the Santa hat made my head hotter than the inside of an oven.
About a mile into the race I picked out a woman in front of me that I wanted to keep pace with. She looked about the same height and weight as me. I would get bursts of energy and get ahead of her, then she would pass me. Back and forth it went. Towards the end I decided it was time to make my final move and sprint past her to get to the finish line. My heart was racing as a pushed myself harder and harder. I passed her. I then realized that I wasn't as close to the end as I thought I was. I thought I had to turn on 25th street where the finish line was a 1/2 block in. In reality I had to run down to 26th street and turnaround for the 3rd time and THEN run to 25th street to the finish line. I still had 2 1/2 large city blocks to go and I had spent all my energy. The woman passed by me and got 1/2 block ahead. For a brief moment I was kicking myself that I'd done such a stupid thing. I then dug a little deeper and decided I'd try to pass her one last time. I sprinted again and passed her 1/2 block away from the finish line. I was about to cross the line when I see her out of the corner of my eye. She beat me by two whole seconds.
After I crossed the finish line I found the woman who beat me and congratulated her. I asked her how old she is...25... dang it... she's in my age group. We talked for a bit. I found out she's training for her 5th marathon so I didn't feel so bad about her beating me. I found a guy handing out cards the final times on them. I told him my name and he handed me my card. Final time - 22:55. I beat my previous personal record by 1:35. I placed 3rd in my age group (out of 69) and 10th overall female (out of 421).
They had cold milk, hot chocolate, cookies and candy canes available after the race. I ran into a woman I went to high school with. She ended up placing 1st in our age group. There was only six seconds that separated her time from my own. What a close race. I had so much fun running with so many Santas to kick of the 2011 holiday season. What a blast! For more information about this race visit runsanta.com.
Over 700 people ran in this race. The start was at 22nd street and Washington Blvd in Ogden at 4:30 PM on a chilly Saturday afternoon. The street had been closed for the race. The race director had everyone line up at the starting line 15 minutes prior to the start time to do warm-ups. About every minute or so the race director would announce how many minutes were left until the start. I was starting to get nervous. Before the race I ran into a couple of people from my triathlon team. We chatted and discussed what time we wanted to get for this race. I decided that I wanted to beat my previous 5K time of 24:30. I'd set this goal for myself to accomplish by the end of 2012.
The course was 2 1/2 laps of four city blocks. It started at 22nd street and then the turnaround was at 26th street. The race started and off I went. 700+ Santas rushed down the street. I wasn't a quarter mile into the first mile before I realized I was overdressed. I started burning up. I wore my normal winter running gear and didn't account for the fact that the Santa suit would add so much heat. Wearing the Santa hat made my head hotter than the inside of an oven.
About a mile into the race I picked out a woman in front of me that I wanted to keep pace with. She looked about the same height and weight as me. I would get bursts of energy and get ahead of her, then she would pass me. Back and forth it went. Towards the end I decided it was time to make my final move and sprint past her to get to the finish line. My heart was racing as a pushed myself harder and harder. I passed her. I then realized that I wasn't as close to the end as I thought I was. I thought I had to turn on 25th street where the finish line was a 1/2 block in. In reality I had to run down to 26th street and turnaround for the 3rd time and THEN run to 25th street to the finish line. I still had 2 1/2 large city blocks to go and I had spent all my energy. The woman passed by me and got 1/2 block ahead. For a brief moment I was kicking myself that I'd done such a stupid thing. I then dug a little deeper and decided I'd try to pass her one last time. I sprinted again and passed her 1/2 block away from the finish line. I was about to cross the line when I see her out of the corner of my eye. She beat me by two whole seconds.
After I crossed the finish line I found the woman who beat me and congratulated her. I asked her how old she is...25... dang it... she's in my age group. We talked for a bit. I found out she's training for her 5th marathon so I didn't feel so bad about her beating me. I found a guy handing out cards the final times on them. I told him my name and he handed me my card. Final time - 22:55. I beat my previous personal record by 1:35. I placed 3rd in my age group (out of 69) and 10th overall female (out of 421).
They had cold milk, hot chocolate, cookies and candy canes available after the race. I ran into a woman I went to high school with. She ended up placing 1st in our age group. There was only six seconds that separated her time from my own. What a close race. I had so much fun running with so many Santas to kick of the 2011 holiday season. What a blast! For more information about this race visit runsanta.com.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Save Your Skin 10K
This is the second race this year that was hosted by my coach Lora Erickson. For more info visit saveyourskin10k.com
The course was the same as the Race for Grief 10K. I was eager to see how my time would be a few months after the previous race there. We left the house with plenty of time to get there early but the railroad crossings had another thing planned. We got stuck behind a crossing with the arms down for over 20 minutes. No trains passed. We kept driving further and further south and all the crossing were the same. We eventually found our way to the event with just minutes to spare before the start time. We had just enough time to pick up our packets, put on our bib numbers and start.
I ran this race with my husband and my friend Holly. Holly and I teach sunbeams together at church and we became running buddies. I kept a steady pace until the half way point and then slowed down after that. I was still about a mile out when I realized I might be able to make it under 50 minutes. I pushed myself and finished with a time of 50:25. I'd trimmed off 1:35 off since the last time I'd run that exact same course. I was very pleased. I managed to match my husband's Race for Grief time down to the exact second. Cameron decided he'd be a speed demon and get the time of 45:40 this time around. He placed 1st in his age group. I thought I'd placed 2nd in my age group until they announced that I'd actually gotten 1st in my age group. The girl who originally got 1st place in my age group ended up getting 1st place overall female which bumped me up. Hooray! I got 4th female overall. Great race!
The course was the same as the Race for Grief 10K. I was eager to see how my time would be a few months after the previous race there. We left the house with plenty of time to get there early but the railroad crossings had another thing planned. We got stuck behind a crossing with the arms down for over 20 minutes. No trains passed. We kept driving further and further south and all the crossing were the same. We eventually found our way to the event with just minutes to spare before the start time. We had just enough time to pick up our packets, put on our bib numbers and start.
I ran this race with my husband and my friend Holly. Holly and I teach sunbeams together at church and we became running buddies. I kept a steady pace until the half way point and then slowed down after that. I was still about a mile out when I realized I might be able to make it under 50 minutes. I pushed myself and finished with a time of 50:25. I'd trimmed off 1:35 off since the last time I'd run that exact same course. I was very pleased. I managed to match my husband's Race for Grief time down to the exact second. Cameron decided he'd be a speed demon and get the time of 45:40 this time around. He placed 1st in his age group. I thought I'd placed 2nd in my age group until they announced that I'd actually gotten 1st in my age group. The girl who originally got 1st place in my age group ended up getting 1st place overall female which bumped me up. Hooray! I got 4th female overall. Great race!
Holly and me
Monday, September 5, 2011
Labor Day Triathlon
After I registered for this race I found out most of the people on my triathlon team were also running it. I was excited to participate with my team members. The night before I went to bed at around 10:30 PM and didn't wake up until around 6 AM. 7 1/2 hours of sleep! That's boats loads better than the 3 hours that I'd gotten in the past.
I lined up for the swim. I felt much more confident in the pool since the last triathlon. I passed three people in the water and was pumped to move on to the next portion. My 350 meter swim time was 8:31. I'd cut off 1.5 minutes off of my swim time in a month! The bike portion was good. I passed a lot of people and only got passed by one guy because I was stuck at a red light. I yelled out to my team mates and people I knew on the course. 12.5 mile bike time 42:58. I got on my bike and ran out of transition 2. My legs were numb and felt like dead weight. I've decided I love that feeling. It makes me push myself so much more than if I felt normal. I passed many people on the run and even caught up to some of my team mates who were ahead of me in the swim. In past races I've done there has been that one girl that passes me and just flies by and gets my 3rd place spot. Not today! I passed at least a dozen people. I kept pace with a guy with a bountiful bicycle tri kit on through the bike and run. At the last mile he started walking and I passed him. I sprinted to the finish line and felt elated. My run time was 29:18 which at first I was a little upset at myself but then I found out that the run was 3.5 miles not 3.11. Total time 1:22:45. 3rd in my age group! After three 4th places this year I got my 3rd place finish! My coach Lora Erickson also place 1st overall female! Go TBR!
I lined up for the swim. I felt much more confident in the pool since the last triathlon. I passed three people in the water and was pumped to move on to the next portion. My 350 meter swim time was 8:31. I'd cut off 1.5 minutes off of my swim time in a month! The bike portion was good. I passed a lot of people and only got passed by one guy because I was stuck at a red light. I yelled out to my team mates and people I knew on the course. 12.5 mile bike time 42:58. I got on my bike and ran out of transition 2. My legs were numb and felt like dead weight. I've decided I love that feeling. It makes me push myself so much more than if I felt normal. I passed many people on the run and even caught up to some of my team mates who were ahead of me in the swim. In past races I've done there has been that one girl that passes me and just flies by and gets my 3rd place spot. Not today! I passed at least a dozen people. I kept pace with a guy with a bountiful bicycle tri kit on through the bike and run. At the last mile he started walking and I passed him. I sprinted to the finish line and felt elated. My run time was 29:18 which at first I was a little upset at myself but then I found out that the run was 3.5 miles not 3.11. Total time 1:22:45. 3rd in my age group! After three 4th places this year I got my 3rd place finish! My coach Lora Erickson also place 1st overall female! Go TBR!
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Bountiful Triathlon
This race was exciting because my husband decided to run the race with me. It is a reverse sprint distance triathlon, which I'd never done before. I was very nervous the night before and I didn't fall asleep until 2 AM. I woke up at 5 AM. Once again I'm doing another triathlon with only 3 hours of sleep.
My mom came down to watch us race and take care of our daughter. I was happy to see a couple of gals that I went to high school with at the race. We lined up to start the run and I was off. The run went ok. I finished that portion with a time of 26:57. Not my best 5k time by far. I completed the 12 mile bike course in 39:05. An improvement from my last triathlon. Last was the swim. I jumped in the pool and started the swim. It felt great to jump into that nice water after the run and bike portions. I kept my face down in the water the entire time. I had a lot less anxiety on this swim versus the last triathlon I did. I contribute a lot of it to the fact that I was swimming in the pool that I practice every week in. I was a lot more comfortable there. I completed the swim in 10:09. I was happy with it but knew I could do much better. Total time 1:18:26, 12th out of 30 in my age group and 110th place out of 259 overall. I really enjoyed trying out the reverse triathlon. I still prefer the standard order though. I push myself much harder on the run when my legs feel like stone.
My mom came down to watch us race and take care of our daughter. I was happy to see a couple of gals that I went to high school with at the race. We lined up to start the run and I was off. The run went ok. I finished that portion with a time of 26:57. Not my best 5k time by far. I completed the 12 mile bike course in 39:05. An improvement from my last triathlon. Last was the swim. I jumped in the pool and started the swim. It felt great to jump into that nice water after the run and bike portions. I kept my face down in the water the entire time. I had a lot less anxiety on this swim versus the last triathlon I did. I contribute a lot of it to the fact that I was swimming in the pool that I practice every week in. I was a lot more comfortable there. I completed the swim in 10:09. I was happy with it but knew I could do much better. Total time 1:18:26, 12th out of 30 in my age group and 110th place out of 259 overall. I really enjoyed trying out the reverse triathlon. I still prefer the standard order though. I push myself much harder on the run when my legs feel like stone.
Friday, July 15, 2011
Legacy Midnight Run 10K
I was lucky to get into this race. My coach, Lora has just posted online that the registration was almost full with only a couple of spots for the 10k left. I think my husband and I got the last couple of slots. This race was unlike any race I'd done or heard of. It was done at night along the Legacy Parkway. The half marathoners started at 10 PM, 10kers at 11 PM and 5kers at 11:30, all with the goal of beating the midnight hour. They gave you glow stick of various sizes to attached to your body while you run the race. The trail lit up like a rave party as all the runners started the race. I was determined to beat by previous time of 52 minutes and get on the podium.
The first 3 miles went great. I felt good and was running at a pace that would get me to my goal. At the half-way turnaround point I took some Gatorade and kept my pace. Shortly after that point though I started to feel terrible. I've never felt that bad during a race before. I kept running determined not to walk. Thoughts flashed through my mind... "This is definitely going to be your last 10k race... This is awful.... never running like this again...". Lots of people passed me. I finished with a time of 54:27. Two and a half minutes slower than my last 10k. I ended up getting 4th place in my age group again for the 3rd time! Cameron managed to capture 3rd place in his age group. I was disappointed in myself. I started wondering if my first 10k time of 52 minutes was just a fluke.
The next day I read a post from some of my pals from the South Davis Road Runners that said they got sick during the race. Come to find out everyone that took the Gatorade at that one aide station got sick. I didn't feel so bad for not making my goal. Even with getting sick it was still so much fun to run at night under a full moon, my body covered in glow sticks.
The first 3 miles went great. I felt good and was running at a pace that would get me to my goal. At the half-way turnaround point I took some Gatorade and kept my pace. Shortly after that point though I started to feel terrible. I've never felt that bad during a race before. I kept running determined not to walk. Thoughts flashed through my mind... "This is definitely going to be your last 10k race... This is awful.... never running like this again...". Lots of people passed me. I finished with a time of 54:27. Two and a half minutes slower than my last 10k. I ended up getting 4th place in my age group again for the 3rd time! Cameron managed to capture 3rd place in his age group. I was disappointed in myself. I started wondering if my first 10k time of 52 minutes was just a fluke.
The next day I read a post from some of my pals from the South Davis Road Runners that said they got sick during the race. Come to find out everyone that took the Gatorade at that one aide station got sick. I didn't feel so bad for not making my goal. Even with getting sick it was still so much fun to run at night under a full moon, my body covered in glow sticks.
South Davis Road Runners
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