I was missing a race for July and found this one online thinking it would be fun..I mean who doesn't love running and getting free beer at the end!?! Originally Corey was going to run it with me, but this past week while away at training he busted up his knee and isn't doing so well with that, so I signed up by myself.
My only worry was that this race was in the evening...that means the day itself had to be completely different, aka eating and making sure my legs/feet wouldn't be tired for the race. That is the main reason I only signed up for the 5k and not the 10k. I have a night half-marathon in a few months and considered this a type of trial.
We woke up late and after walking the dogs and delaying getting out of bed finally ate a brunch around 12:30 with eggs, bacon and toast. My plan was to eat again around 3 or 4, and something small so that I wasn't full or sick feeling for the race. We went to the grocery store and then I started doing some packing around the house. I wasn't doing anything strenuous or tiring which was good. Around 3:30 I had a turkey sandwich and some watermelon and we headed out to the race around 4:30 to make sure we had plenty of time.
Luckily I have a very supportive guy who came with me to cheer me on and have a few drinks while I ran. When it came to race time I felt fine stomach wise and leg/feet wise, but I was still nervous and had crazy butterflies...more than usual for a race. The weather was warm, but there was a little breeze and the course was through a park so there was quite a bit of tree cover.
Right as their countdown hit 0 and it was time to start I was ready to go, but then the guy announced that some late people had showed and it would be another 4 min or so. That was awful! 4 minutes later we were starting again...I started off fine...a little too fast as usual, but slowed down and kept my pace with someone. About a mile in I just couldn't catch my breath, and I wasn't any faster than I usually would, I was getting pretty warm as well with the sun coming through the trees. Around 1.5 miles I took a quick walk break to catch my breath knowing I was half way there. I started up again and kept up with a group of people, and kept my 7:45-8 min pace. Around 2.2 miles I had to take another walk break...I just could not get my endurance of lungs to run easy, but I had a mile left (despite a few gentle uphills). I had this, just had to keep going and I had a beer waiting for me at the end!
Right before the 3rd mile marker I saw Corey on the side of the road cheering me on and taking pictures. It was just what and where I needed, I pushed it, speeding up a little bit hearing the crowd at the end and seeing the finish line. I sprinted through the finish at 24:43 with just under an 8 min mile pace.
It took awhile to catch my breath, and I really was heating up once the race stopped...luckily they had ice cold towels there with some water and bananas, and of course beer :)
Overall, I was happy with my time (but not with how I ran), and know what to expect for my future night race.
When I checked my race results I was surprised to see I came in 14th out of 34 in my division...with an 8 min mile I still finished in 14th! That is some fast running girls out there....power to you all that ran!
They had food trucks and beer there for after, but I needed a break to let my stomach settle and cool off. Then we had a few drinks, and ate some food before heading home.
This was iTap's 2nd annual beer week race, and definitely one I'll do again, I enjoyed the course and the after party, and the park setting on a beautiful evening!
Here are some pictures that Corey took and one I took after the race.
Peace, Love and Running 🏃
#seejessrun #runtheyear2017 #runningwithoutlimits
