Back out with Emily again on the 17th to run the Green Day Gallop. This is a nice small low key race. We stuck with a 5K although there is a half and full marathon option. They ran out of shirts this year so definitely be sure to get to packet pick up early, or go to early packet pick up. I ran this race 2 seconds slower than last year and wonder how I use to run an 8K and a half marathon (Shamrock - Va Bch) back to back this weekend....well, I think if I was able to run year round I could pull that off; maybe next year. I am still happy with it as it is almost a six minute improvement over yesterdays race. I ran with my IceBugs but probably didn't need them for this race as the course was more wet than icy. I started out strong but my calves started burning right away. I think the IceBugs have a much lower drop than my standard running shoes. I ran a steady pace through the first mile and then switched to 3:1 intervals for the remainder of the race. I also had problems with my feet falling asleep today; probably due to the tight calf muscles. I was able to stick with this interval and ran a negative split for my third mile. I didn't catch Emily, but that's ok. We are out there to run our own race. Unofficial Garmin time: 40:38 One of the runners behind me said she was using me as her pace setter. I was very flattered. I am hoping for a good season this year and to break some time barriers as well as finish a triathlon or two. We will see how things go! Happy for the change and weather and to be out there again. Well, it wasn't my slowest 5K ever. I beat last year's time by 30 seconds but still walked a lot around the Westchester Lagoon and up the West High hill. Ran pretty much the rest of the race. There was no race strategy or goals this year. I even kept my watch hidden in my sleeves while I ran. I also took a lot more during race photos, so maybe I could have been a tad quicker! Love this years toboggan and pint glass. Thank you race directors for putting out prior years glasses so that we could restock. I bypassed the Franz cookies on the way out and back this year. I really couldn't tell you why this is one of my favorite races. I get easily lost in the large Skinny Raven crowds but for the most part everyone is so super friendly. It was a big bonus that I had Emily as a partner in crime this year. This race is all about getting back out there and having some fun!
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Anthem Half MarathonWell, let's just say the weather for this race and my attitude toward it matched pretty well. There was rain for about the first 3-4 miles and swirly whirly cold wind for the rest. People gave up chasing their hats and I altered my goal to stay with two people. A gentleman who was clearly in the same mood I was; I tried to make a joke with him around mile 6 about the weather and his response was less than repeatable. A lady who seemed to be running the same intervals that I was just offset with what our run walk time was. I am happy to say that I passed grumpy Joe around mile 10 and lost my interval partner when she stopped for beer around mile 11. I was just happy that I stuck with it and finished. Thanks again for my dear friend Beth for being the hostess with the most-est and making sure I showed up to run! Her parking skills were perfect. In the lot of the pizza place near the finish, of course we paid for our parking and purchased a pizza for our post run indulgence! I will miss her when she heads west! Note the center picture below of Beth and I in our pre-race conditions.
This is my second year to do the Dolphin Challenge at Yuengling Shamrock Marathon weekend produced by J&A Racing. The challenge consists of running an 8K on Saturday followed by the 1/2 Marathon on Sunday. For those up to a greater challenge there also exists a Whale Challenge (8K and Full Marathon) and a King Neptune Challenge (8K, Half and Full Marathon). I am lucky to have support in this challenge by my husband who takes care of the boys for the weekend and my dear friend Beth who provides me with a rocking place to stay and grabs my packet on Friday. You know how March is suppose to come in like a lion and go out like a lamb? This March is had danced back and forth like a lion with a lot of great lamb days....of course, race weekend would be a lion at full roar! Townebank 8K In a corral far, far, away....hey the speaker's don't work! They were clicking in and out for the start. It may have been interference from the crazy wind. You can just barely see the Start Line from here, it would be nice to hear it! I had a great conversation with a lady who lives in Hampton about race life style. She was also doing the Dolphin Challenge, and a little nervous. Tomorrow will be here first half. I didn't get her bib number so I hope she rocked it. Life in a wind tunnel. The first two miles were glorious. Wind at your back, comfortably paced. The second 2+ miles...wind in your face. I think I ran faster just to get myself through! My time was about 1 minute faster than last year. I also attribute that to "Come on Eileen" playing right when I wanted to take a break, so I pushed hard through the last mile and earned a negative split. Kind of made up for that really slow mile when we first hit the boardwalk. Really content with my consistent pacing. Hope I can come back next year and take off another minute or two. Bling for the 8K, a long sleeve cotton shirt, drawstring bag, and of course the medal. Oh and free race photos! Leeza Sports Expo
Expo's are always curious adventures for me. I am always a little on edge, and it's amazing how many vendors are either sitting back bored out of there mind, overly pushing a product that I don't need, or doing their best to avoid eye contact because surely I won't sign up for their race. It could just be my own low self esteem but I attempted to engage one vendor on three occasions as I did intend to sign up for their race. Now I am second guessing myself, myself esteem should have been higher as I just set my course record. Silly inner mean girl. I loved the "Where are you From?" board and had to add Wasilla, AK, my "hometown" on the board. I did also manage to restock my Stinger supply and scored a pair of compression sleeves that were on expo discount.
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JK McDowellLong time back of the pack runner, science lover, Christian, educator, and mom. Archives
July 2019
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