River Runs

Well I debated for most of the week and decided after the weekend was said and over I would probably be happiest if I was back on track to get the Hermes series completed....so I ran both the River Runs as part of the Hermes Road Race Series.

So the weekend unfolded as such-

Friday night my husband and I did dinner and a movie, Tropic Thunder, which I give two thumbs up! We have been meaning to see the movie for a couple weeks now and could never seem to find the time until now! We hit our fav Mexican restaurant and then caught the 7 PM showing so I could make it home by my bedtime!

Saturday I woke up bright and early to drive across town in the rain to run the River Run 5K. CV and I went out for a warm-up run and at 0.8 miles out, we turned around only to get lost and then have to pick up the pace to try to make it back to the start. After a spirited 2.5 mile warm-up, soaking wet with rain and sweat, we lined up near the front of the race. In no time we were off.

CV jumped out in front and I tried to stick with her. Up the first little across a bridge I pulled ahead and then CV quickly took the lead back. The first mile took quite a few turns and I came through at 6:36.

Now I haven't raced a 5K since my dismal Chili bowl showing in Feb where I fell apart and ran ~23 min. Last year I was consistently running around the 20:20 range. I had no idea what to expect today but I desperately wanted to not fall apart again!

At the first mile I felt done and was not sure how I was going to hang on for 2 more miles. I really think running 5Ks more consistently last year really helped me a lot in knowing my pacing and what I could handle and toughing out the pain! So back to the race. As mile 2 set in, another female passed us and started pulling away. I hung tight by CV. I was longing for that mile 2 (6:52) sign as I was hurting and think I have become a little soft this year and was not digging in the pain! By this time, angry Mexicans started doing their hat dance in my belly and I really wanted to be done. I ran through the pain and started to leg it out with CV as we made the turn into the finish line and she got me by a hair. Finish chip time 20:52. Ran a cool down and finished with 7.5 miles on the day.

CV and I finished 2nd and 3rd Overall females and made out with Plaques, Panera and Dick's gift certificates which made the drive worth it!!!

With a quick change of clothes I stopped at the store to pick up some gifts, rushed home to grab a shower, grabbed the husband, the cheeseball and crackers he made (gotta love how he helped me out since I as limited on time) and headed out to the Twins 2nd birthday party. After hanging out for a while and watching the girls LOVE the giant stuffed bunnies I gave them, I changed clothes to head out to meet some friends for mountain biking at West Branch. I took things pretty easy and did about 10 miles. Then grabbed another shower and hit my friend's bonfire for some more food! I was dragging by 10:30 and made it home about 11 where I was out cold as soon as my head hit the pillow.

The alarm rang early and after hitting snooze a couple times I dragged my butt out of bed for the River Run half. I decided I was going to target a 1:40~7:40 pace, which seemed like a fairly attainable pace which would not be too aggressive.

I ran a nice 2 mile warm-up with Bridget (no we did not get lost and yes we had plenty of time to spare!) and then with the start we were off. We ran together for a bit before we started running our own races.

Lap times-(avg Pace)
1 7:43
2 7:36
3 7:25
4 7:33
5 7:30
6 7:29
7 7:43 (first water)
8 7:38
9 7:47 (only hill)
10& 11 7:38
12 7:37
13 7:29
.1 6:17

Total Garmin 13.22 miles ~ 1:40:20 ~ 7:35 pace

How do ya like that consistentcY? This is HUGE for me as I have never ran a consistent half mary. I usually fade terribly. I took one gel and felt totally good the whole way. I just checked my PR and it seems according to my official chip time of 1:40:16, I PRd by 5 seconds. BONUS! The even bigger bonus is I remember how bad I felt that day and I actually felt pretty darn good the whole time Sunday!

Now that I think about it, I think I felt too good and should have worked harder!!! Oh well, next time! The only issue was both days I had very soaked shoes due to rain and so now I have some blisters on the bottom of my feet. That was the worst of my problems. I was going to run the extra 5 for my 20 but I felt like my weekends effort was fine so I let my blister ridden feet out of those last 5 miles. My blistered feet were not even digging the 1 mile walk to the car so it was probably good not to aggravate them any worse!

I was pretty much lazy the rest of Sunday besides texturing a ceiling (Yes, all by myself after watching my hubby closely last week). I was so tired I cashed out on the couch early which was all good because I got a good night's sleep and actually got up for the first time in over a month for a pre-work workout!!!

Now just 3 more Hermes races to go which I love--Turkey Trot, Pigskin and Reindeer!!! I will finish that series yet! I did miss not doing Potato Stomp and Portage Lakes but I am still happy with my choices for the weekend.