Hills for breakfast, hold the gnats

Turkey Trot

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Location:

Snoqualmie,WA,

Member Since:

Jan 31, 2008

Gender:

Female

Goal Type:

Boston Qualifier

Running Accomplishments:

Marathon PR: 4:17 at Portland Marathon, Oct. 2007

5K PR 24:37 2009

10K PR 52:58 2010

Have run 22 marathons to date.

No injuries, ever.   :)

Short-Term Running Goals:

Qualify for Boston (4:05 for my age/gender) - or, perhaps, to use my desire for a BQ as a way to get in the hated speed work so I don't just get slower and slower over the years.  This goal is "under (re)construction" right now, until I figure out whether it is truly what I want. :) 


Long-Term Running Goals:

To continue learning about myself and about running, and to enjoy being a fit, happy runner for life.   To always know why I am running and the best way to get the most (both mentally and physically) out of my runs.  To keep a sense of humor and remain optimistic about myself as a runner.  To enjoy running more and more with every passing year. 

Personal:

Baby boomer generation.  Jogged a little in my 20's and 30's.  Started running seriously in 2002.  Low-carb runner since January 2010. 

I love long runs and cold, cloudy weather.  I don't believe in "junk miles."  I am an optimist.  I adore dark chocolate, fog, my family, and knitting -- not necessarily in that order.  

"As every runner knows, running is about more than just putting one foot in front of the other; it is about our lifestyle and who we are."  -- Joan Benoit Samuelson 


Favorite Blogs:

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Miles:This week: 0.00 Month: 0.00 Year: 0.00
Brooks ST3 Lifetime Miles: 891.35
Vibram Five Fingers KSO Lifetime Miles: 23.77
Brooks ST3 II Lifetime Miles: 965.17
Lunaracers II Lifetime Miles: 198.23
Mizuno Wave Universe 3 Lifetime Miles: 104.14
Asics Piranha Lifetime Miles: 536.83
RunAmocs (Softstar) Lifetime Miles: 16.23
Piranha II Lifetime Miles: 219.53
Race: Turkey Trot (3.1 Miles) 00:25:09, Place in age division: 2
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
1.300.000.003.104.40

Let's cut to the chase...

IMG_0215

Yesterday afternoon, we had a completely unexpected snowstorm for about an hour.  To my horror (and I'm sure to Sean's as well - he's our race director), a bit of snow still lay on the lawns early this morning, and the roads were a sheet of ice.  Temperature at 6:30 AM, 33F.  (At the gun, high 30sF.)

It was too icy to safely walk the course at 8:00 AM, let alone run, and the kids' race was to start at 9. The road was literally covered with black ice. Sean chose to delay all races by 30 minutes to allow Mr. Sunshine to do his job. (Thank you, Sean!!!) 

Eventually the morning warmed up and off we went. The first 2 miles were filled with thoughts that went something like this: "I hate this. Why do I do this? I am miserable. I can't breathe." Yes, I had warmed up. And yes, I always feel that way in a 5K.  Really, I don't know how you guys who do 5Ks all the time can stand it. 

It was tempting to think, "I just need to be in better shape."  But that won't hold water.  No matter what shape I am in, if I am trying to run the fastest pace I can keep up for 3 miles, I will always feel this way.  And so, finally, acceptance and peace.... and just 1 mile to go.  In this final mile we encountered the only ice left on the course, on a wooden bridge going through some shaded woods. Just a little slow down there. 

The course was very good.  I love the changes Sean made since the St. Paddy's run in March.  The race goes through my own home turf, all the streets and trails I know so well.  Very, very hilly, but a nice distribution of up and down, with at least 200 yards of down/flat at the start and a down hill finish.   

There was a very large field of runners this year. I kept seeing people I know, which is very unusual for me.  I had the pleasure of seeing a woman I used to work with, whom I have not seen for about 13 years!   A very close friend of mine has returned to running (yay!) and was there with her family.  The best thing was seeing all the Mt. Si Running Club runners, most of us standing out in our fluorescent green/yellow shirts.  I've never known so many runners in a race before.

I hoped to beat my St. Paddy's time of 26:02, so I am extremely happy with my race.  Although I ran today's course faster than the St. Paddy's last March, the competition today was steeper. But I still got a trophy! I LOVE THAT. It really does make the memory of suffering diminish every time I look at it. 

Post Script, Sunday morning:  Results are online, so the finish time is now correct. Average page was 8:07 -- on hills, that means that some of my running was sub 8!!! (insert happy dance)   I. Am. Thrilled!

 

Brooks ST3 II Miles: 4.40
Comments
From Carolyn in Colorado on Sat, Nov 14, 2009 at 17:06:50 from 24.8.167.243

A trophy! Wow! I only got a medal.

Congratulations on a fantastic race! Way to beat your St. Paddy's time. Is this a 5K PR for you.

I agree with your assessment of 5Ks. A 5K would be so easy if you didn't try to race it, but racing a 5K is nothing but pain.

Once again, a huge congratulations on a fantastic race! You are in great shape!

From Snoqualmie on Sat, Nov 14, 2009 at 17:20:11 from 24.18.192.33

Thanks, Carolyn. No, not a PR at all. Not on those hills!

From redrooster on Sat, Nov 14, 2009 at 17:46:53 from 71.219.150.58

wow that is a nice trophy, and an excellent time, very well done!! but is the trophy edible :-)

From Snoqualmie on Sat, Nov 14, 2009 at 18:21:46 from 24.18.192.33

Alas, not edible. Bad hunter gatherer! Bad!

From JD on Sat, Nov 14, 2009 at 18:29:56 from 209.183.51.129

Congratulations! You know you're addicted to "5K pain", just admit it! Sweet trophy!

From nicole on Sat, Nov 14, 2009 at 19:31:59 from 174.144.55.71

You DOMINATE!!! way to go! and a TROPHY??? quite impressive. If I ever get back in shape I'm running that race! I want to win a trophy someday! :-) what is your 5k pr?

From Snoqualmie on Sat, Nov 14, 2009 at 19:36:30 from 24.18.192.33

Thanks, Nicole! It would be so fun if you came to run one of these Snoqualmie Ridge races. My PR is 24:37 for the 5K. Hope you're back where you want to be very soon!

From Snoqualmie on Sat, Nov 14, 2009 at 19:37:20 from 24.18.192.33

(Gasp!) Look at the Trophy. The winner is *pushing* poor second place out of her way. Foul!

From auntieem on Sat, Nov 14, 2009 at 19:44:33 from 67.182.145.8

Hey! Elbows are legal in running. Congratulations on your race! Cool trophy too!

From Metcalf Running on Sat, Nov 14, 2009 at 20:22:23 from 97.126.141.36

Great race!! and neat trophy... I agree with Em elbow are legal. You are getting pretty speedy. I feel the same way about 5Ks I don't think I have many fast twitch muscles.

From Snoqualmie Ridge Runner on Sat, Nov 14, 2009 at 23:04:59 from 24.17.108.253

Sean has really done a nice job with these Ridge races. It was great to see you and that you did so well! Next race is St. Paddy's day 5K, get ready!!

From Carolyn in Colorado on Sun, Nov 15, 2009 at 12:30:06 from 24.8.167.243

Sunday morning postscript: Now I'm going to have to start calling you Speedy Snoqualmie!

From Dale on Sun, Nov 15, 2009 at 18:23:20 from 69.10.215.11

Hey, nice trophy! Congrats.

I'm with you on the whole 5K pain thing. It's such a different kind of hurt.....no fun.

From marion on Sat, Nov 21, 2009 at 19:19:14 from 71.213.112.70

BEAUTIFUL trophy! Congratulations!! I am so glad that the ice decided to melt for y'all! :)

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