Sunday, November 29, 2009

Westfield 5 mile Turkey Trot

Where do I begin? Blogging has sadly become more sporadic than I had planned, but never fear...I'm not going to bore you with everything that happened in my life since my last post.
I do want to congratulate you brave runners/finishers of the Philadelphia marathon, even if I am a week late...awesome job, all of you!

Hope you all had a fun-filled Thanksgiving weekend, feasting with family and friends. And hope the turkey trotting went well. I am looking forward to reading race reports!

I've been running well the past few weeks; thanks so much for all your wishes. I ran 35 miles last week and found time for a spinning class, some individual biking and core strength work. This week, apart from 21 miles (including a 5-mile race yesterday), I was able to get some spinning and swimming in. What's even better, I have been awakened out of my 3 1/2-month race-less stupor and I am now digging up interesting, unique and challenging 2010 races in the tristate area. Any ideas?
I had planned to run the Ashenfelter 8K Classic (Turkey Trot) on Thursday, but that did not happen. Well, it happened, but I was not in it. I was busy cooking and entertaining, then overeating and drinking on Thanksgiving Day. But I did register for another post-Turkey Day Trot instead....the Westfield 5-mile race which happened yesterday.

It was a terribly windy day. I picked up my medium T-shirt (no small T-shirts...and the medium looks like a tent on me) and bib (no race chachkis either...oh well, these are hard times).
The race started at 11 am at Tamaques Park in Westfield. As we lined up, I met Nathaniel, who was aiming for top spot in the 80+ age category. He had just completed the Ashenfelter 8K 2 days ago. He looked remarkably fit and was confident of completing in less than 50 minutes. If I live to be 80, I just hope I will still be running!
I have never participated in a 5-mile race before, so no pressure to PR, but I did set my sights on completing in less than 40 minutes.
As the siren sounded, I shuffled a little, to break free from the crowd. Once I settled down to a pace which was faster than I am used to, my breathing became labored. I could feel every ounce of weight I had gained over the past 2 days groaning at me. I coudn't believe I was doing a 7:18 pace. I knew there was absolutely no way I could sustain this pace, but I couldn't slow down.
After a mile, my strides involuntarily reduced in length though I was still breathing hard. I figured if I decreased my pace to a more manageable one, I could still complete in less than 39 minutes. I was dying for something to drink. Gatorade would have been nice, but the fluid station only carried water. I completed Mile 2 in 14:51, a 7:33 pace.

Mile 3 was slower...7:50. I was acutely aware of every runner who passed me. I dully thought of speedwork, lactate threshold training and how much that could have helped at this point. At Mile 4, a runner in ski pants passed me and stayed a few steps ahead of me, sniffing, breathing heavier than me, his pant legs rubbing against each other noisily. Thankfully he sped off as I slowed down at the second and final water stop. The water made me cough and almost choke. But the faster 7:30 pace at Mile 4 gave me a psychological boost and the burst of energy I needed. I finished the race at 37:22, a 7:11 pace for Mile 5 and 7:28 pace overall. I was thrilled and I let DH gush over how speedy I was...my overall pace was faster than my 5K pace last year. Fueled by Thanksgiving dinner, no doubt!
There I am, showing off my distinct heel strike stride! Hmm...posture definitely needs work.
I found out later that Nathaniel finished way ahead of the others in his age category, completing in 49 minutes.
Westfield 5 mile Turkey Trot - Saturday, November 28, 2009
37:22; Pace: 7:28/mile
Overall Stats: 148/799 overall
Gender Stats: 19 / 346
Age group Stats: 2 / 51
Bib 302
We had to rush back, shower and drive to NYC immediately after (had a wonderful dinner in NYC with friends), so I didn't get a chance to strut about and pick up my age group award. It would have been nice to have another medal for the mantel...yes, I am a show-off!

18 comments:

Erica said...

WHOA! 7:28 pace? That is amazing! Nice job girl! I think you just did incredible. Glad the running and crossing training have both been going well. Happy belated turkey day

Beth said...

Wow! You are super fast! Congratulations on a great race. That is a tough distance because its too long to go all. That is fantastic that you beat your 5K time! What a great Thanksgiving!

FLYERS26 said...

Great job on the 5 miler!
Most of the local races, I run just like you did, rabbit at the start and hold on at the end!

Lindsay said...

wow congrats! awesome time and great pace. hope your thanksgiving weekend was nice and relaxing!

lauren said...

WOW! 2nd in your age group - that is awesome. congrats and hope you had a great holiday!

Heather said...

Congrats - awesome job!

Aileen said...

Way to be, Speedy Lady! Glad you had a good turkey day, too :)

Mica said...

Whoa, nice job on a SPEEDY Turkey Trot! Congratulations on an awesome race.

Oz Runner said...

sounds like an awesome race..that is a great time, wtg..

Teamarcia said...

I just found your blog! Congrats on a speedy race!

Abby said...

That's awesome!! Congrats on a stellar performance - I can see why the racing bug bit you again, after that one!

Mel-2nd Chances said...

Nice job on the speedy race!!! Wowzers!

Felice Devine said...

Great job, Speedy!! Congratulations!

Mel -Tall Mom on the Run said...

Way to GO speedster! Awesome and 2nd place..

OK the guy in the ski pants would have made me CRAZY I serioulsy HATE swishing when I am running..

Nice report :) And FYI be a Show-Off we celebrate it here in Bloggy land..

Irene said...

Looks like it was a gorgeous day! Congratulations on the 2nd place AG status!

Scheri said...

Congratulations!!! You did great! It is exciting to hear such a positive race report... makes me want to get back into serious training again. Good job! Keep it up :-)

joyRuN said...

HELLOOOO speedy!!!

Congrats on a kick@$$ race complete with hardware!

Anonymous said...

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