Now that I’m on the SECOND day of this challenge, I am seeing that every day will be different (profound realization, huh?). I can already tell you that yesterday was the day I didn’t hit the mark on the water, and today is the day I am not going to hit the mark on the fruits and vegies. I had about 8 blueberries in a little cup o yogurt they handed out after the race, and that is going to be it for today. Such is life.
So today was the See Jane Run 5k! This was a whole different experience because I was there with both of my daughters, two of my friends and also had a Twitter meetup with Twitter friend @pubsgal!
We got up early to get a spot in the parking lot. This race was right along the shoreline, so was both very beautiful and very COLD. The fog was in, and it was chilly. (still foggy even now in the afternoon) Then we stood in line for the bathroom (looooong line). They had a stage set up and after the half-marathoners took off (which gave me chills) they did a ten minute warmup with some goofy teachers in leg warmers and 70’s gear. Very cute. It did warm me up, but it was kind of distracting and it was not the same as doing a brisk walk/run warmup like I did last time. So we went over to the starting line, and one of my daughters ran into a friend, and with all the socializing, it just STARTED and I did not feel quite prepared.
I felt like this race was going much more quickly than the last one. Was it me? Was it the crowd? I don’t know, but in the first mile I felt like I was really struggling. I was really labored in my breathing, and I just felt like.. wow, I was going too fast or something. But I didn’t know how to slow down. (does that sound dumb?) It felt like everyone on the course was passing me. I felt a little panicked. I had told my friend M, whom I always run with, that I couldn’t talk during this race and I was going to use my iPod music to pace with (which I never do when I run with her). She was cool with that.
After passing the one mile mark I started feeling a little bit better. I wasn’t aching or hurting, and I didn’t feel like it was such a struggle. The turnaround point was about a mile and a half. Then we started seeing the first people coming back toward us. That was pretty cool, and inspiring. I saw my friend K, who is DAMN FAST. A little bit later, I saw my older girl. She looked great. I felt the best around the turnaround, and for the last 3/4 mile before we got to the finish. When the finish line was in sight, I started flagging (again). My friend M wanted to sprint to the end. I tried. We ran fast for about 50 yards? and then she took off right at the finish. I was… wow, I was pooped. As I ran past my mom I heard her say to my husband, “She’s limping.” Was I? My left calf was pretty sore.
I got through the finish line and was happy that my time was somewhere around 37 minutes, which was at least two and a half minutes faster than the first race I did a month ago. It might have been a few seconds less or more.
The thing is, if you keep running FASTER every time, it never feels any easier. I guess I am glad I beat my time by so much. But it wasn’t easy.
Next time I am going to be sure to do a BIG walking/running warmup before the race starts. I realize I really need that, and that it just feels bad to start out cold.
ANyway, it was cool to get a medal, and a champagne glass, and chocolate. I got an ice pack for my leg. We had some yogurt and blueberries and granola. It was nice to walk around with @Pubsgal.
Since I’ve been home though, my stomach has been kind of upset and delicate. I’m totally wiped out (AGAIN). I had to get up to drive one of my daughters to a friend’s house, and it just about did me in. I’m in bed again. And I can’t deal with the idea of eating any fruits or vegies. No fiber, please! I’m going to try out this allegedly very low carb Dreamfields pasta for dinner tonight. Linguine with clam sauce. I don’t think I can cope with salad though.
It surprises me that a 36 minute run should affect me so intensely. It really knocked me out. I don’t know if it is the diabetes, just general conditioning, pushing harder than usual, adrenaline or WHAT, but I feel pretty much flattened. I am very very happy I did it, and it was fun, but the aftermath is kinda rough.
foodfoodbodybody 
May 30, 2009 at 5:35 pm
wow Foodie!!
You shouldn’t be hurting yourself ~ of course I haven’t run a 5K since HS (About 13 years ago) so I am flipping impressed that you are able & you enjoy it!
I hope you recover quickly & feel like yourself soon!!
As a side note – you may feel poopy right now but you look AMAZING In your post-race pic!!
WAHOO!!
May 30, 2009 at 5:52 pm
Well you heard from me the other day–a 35 minute run CAN do you in. Even if the day before you had a great run!
May 30, 2009 at 6:06 pm
I think you’re a rock star! It’s all right to be tired after a race, so rest to your heart’s content! One day I’m going to run an 5K too!
May 30, 2009 at 8:28 pm
GREAT time my friend!! I can totally relate to the fact that it takes a while to get into the groove, which means (I think) that maybe it’s better to run longer distances, more slowly. Maybe? 🙂 I will be doing a 5-miler and a 10K later this year…we shall see.
And I definitely agree with a warm-up, although I always feel a little weird doing that…like that’s only reserved for the “serious” runners. Ha.
As for your tummy issues…what do you eat pre-race? I know some people do 5Ks on an empty stomach, but I don’t think that’s the way to go. I think the best pre-race meal is something like a whole-grain bagel with peanut butter or almond butter, about 90 min before the race starts.
Or maybe it’s just nerves…as you do more and more races you may find that nervous energy eases up some.
May 30, 2009 at 9:38 pm
I’m just impressed you can do it at all – don’t know that I’ve ever run 5K in my life (how long were cross-country runs in primary school? Cause that would be the last time I came close!). Being wiped out afterwards seems pretty normal to me, though what would I know.
Anyway, congrats.
May 30, 2009 at 10:53 pm
It was so great to meet you and you family at the race today! And that’s a terrific time!
I felt the same way…I couldn’t slow down, and decided to push it, then didn’t have any “kick” left at the end. I probably should have stretched…I’m feeling sore. And I think race days are different, in some way, because I feel totally wiped. (How can I do an hour of spin and be fine, then get my hind end kicked by a half-hour race?) I think it must be adrenaline.
High school cross-country races are around 5k. (I spent some time this afternoon digging out my old x-country race reports. We had the coolest coach–he made even the mediocre runners like I was feel valued team members.)
Take it easy tomorrow!
May 30, 2009 at 10:55 pm
Congrats on beating your time, but don’t overdo it so much that you feel bad after. I’ve never managed to run a 5k, but I did walk one not too long ago. Took way longer 🙂
Keep up the good work, on to a full marathon next, right?
May 30, 2009 at 10:55 pm
(Oh, forgot to mention, I think the first pad was the official time, because it was less than the finish line clock on the posted results.)
May 30, 2009 at 11:45 pm
You are awesome! Way to go, you did it 🙂 Sorry to hear you are sore make sure you take care of yourself so you recover quickly. Reading your stories really makes me want to try running. You give off the sense of “if I can do it you can do it.” I am sure you are motivating so many people. Keep sharing your triumphs and challenges! Congrats on another race down!
XO Shannon
May 31, 2009 at 12:34 am
Congrats on your race! Hope you’re revovering well. Remember RICE – rest (they say take it easy one day for every mile you ran, so 3 days easy exercise), ice, compression (wrap anything that hurts) and elevate. I am also a big fan of ibuprofen! Your time was awesome! Woo Hoo!
May 31, 2009 at 9:48 am
I know exactly what you mean about not getting a proper warm up because my two races I have struggled with the same thing. I see some people walk and I see some people stretch and some just seem to jump right in. I still am figuring out what I need. Congrats on your time! I’m running about 39 minutes and am working on running faster. It sounds like you are doing wonderful so keep up the great work!
May 31, 2009 at 10:33 am
Sounds like an excellent experience! It has been a few months since I’ve done a 5K…I need to find one to do soon.
All the best today on meeting your goals.
May 31, 2009 at 4:31 pm
Congrats on your finish!
and hopefully you are feeling better today. Races always wipe me out too!
May 31, 2009 at 10:38 pm
Way to go on cutting your time!! I hope that you are feeling better today (Sunday evening). You are a rock star!! Hopefully one day I can do what you have done!!
June 1, 2009 at 2:23 am
Hope you feel better a day later! My stomach’s upset today, but maybe it was the 3 cups of Bing cherries I downed. First of the season! And my feet and achilles ache. I think the previous post that we might want to do some more “long, slow distance” in addition to these “sprints” might be onto something, though to be totally honest, I can’t imagine more than 5k at this point…
June 1, 2009 at 2:11 pm
congrats on your finish and new PR! I think you’re right about the warmup being important.
Wonder if Metformin could be contributing to your tummy woes? It’s notorious for causing GI havoc.
June 1, 2009 at 2:18 pm
Sweeter, I had not thought of that. It normally doesn’t bother me (Metformin) but I wonder if it is the combo of intense exercise/adrenalin/metformin that could be doing it. It really did not normalize until yesterday afternoon.