Monday, December 8, 2008

Blue is for Winners

So I mentioned yesterday that the 5k was great, and it really was. I didn't know what to really expect because I hadn't been training specifically for anything. Up until last week I wasn't going to even be able to run in it because I thought I was going to be out of town. Last minute plans changed and I was able to race in it. I haven't run a 5k since my senior year in high school, and I didn't want to set my expectations too high to only get them crushed. It was a pretty small race (290 racers) through a park nearby my house.



So yesterday, I didn't want to wake up. I was so tired and thought, gosh I'm going to have to RACE?! ARGH! Anyways, I got up, then had a dilemma of what I was going to wear. I couldn't decide between a long sleeve, or a short sleeve. I finally showed up to my cousins house since we were carpooling over with her boyfriend's sister, and played a little with "preshie" (who we had to change the name to patchy after we found out he was actually a boy like four weeks after I found him. You can read his story and how I found him on the side of the road during a run and my cousins adopted him here) Here's a little picture of me and him. He was being a feisty little boy!



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We took off over to the race course and parked and wandered around for a little bit. It was fun to be at such a small race. I felt like everyone there was friendly and there was some serious people watching going on. I ran for maybe 2 minutes and stretched only my calves. Before races I never stretch and I never warm up. Another bad habit. The race finally seemed ready to start so everyone was lined up. I thought I was near enough the front of the start that I would be able to get out and get a good start. WRONG. For some reason there were some walkers in the front and I had an awful start. I was zigzagging to get around them and get going. I hate the start of the race. I thought to myself, Okay, 23 minutes. You can do this. Oh, by the way, I talk to myself a lot in my head when I run, especially when I race.



I was at a pretty good pace going into the first mile, but I was scared I wasn't going to be able to keep the pace. I hit the first mile at 7:15, and I thought, hey pretty good. Alright, we can do this. I was chugging along and just kept reeling people in and trying to pass them. There was a turn around and that's when I realized there were only about six women in front of me, or women who I thought looked like women. Thinking to myself, I figured if I could pass three I would get third. I then, mid-race, made this my new goal. I worked at passing and I could just hear my coach in my head from high school screaming at me, only good things of course. I hit the 2nd mile at 14:24. I never have had a split so perfect without even trying. I was like, okay, I'm on course for a good time here. I was running by a boy who was around 16. I knew I was annoying him too. I would have been annoying myself if I was running next to me. I was so focused and just used him to pace me. I could tell he was thinking, I can't let this girl pass me.



I passed two of the girls and there was one more older women in front of me out of the women I wanted to pass. Now, I am wearing a long sleeve shirt that is not running related at all, just a green long sleeve. I'm also wearing black leggings from Walmart. This woman was wearing super short racing shorts, a pink sports bra, and racing sunglasses and overpronated like nothing I've ever seen before. She was incredibly tan and was just skin and bones. I literally kept thinking that she might break her leg from overpronating, or her hip was going to give out, it was crazy. Then I thought, I can't let her beat me. So I worked the last mile just on trying to get even with her. With about 400 meters left to go, I was even with her, when her husband, who had already finished, ran back from the finish line and with his long stringy brown hair flowing behind his equally skinny and tanned body with equally short shorts and an awkwardly tight muscle tee, he shouted to her, "Come on! Don't let that woman beat you!" I though, oh hellllll no you didn't just say that. I also freaked out kind of because he called me a woman. I'm not a girl anymore?



Anyways, I sprinted in and beat her, and the guy I was pacing myself with the whole time, ha ha! As we finished she said something to me about drinking too much coffee, and how it was suppose to be all natural. Weird. Then I went back in front of the finish and found my cousin finishing, who beat her old 5k time of 30:00 and finished at 29:16. Then we went to look for her boyfriend's sister who also accomplished a great feat in running the whole race! Then I realized I could get a medal. For me racing is all about the hardware so I was super excited. I found the race results and it had me placing sixth female and first in my age division. Now I know there were not six women in front of me, so I assume I thought some men were women. Awkward, but that's their problem I guess. So I got a lovely first place finishing medal, blue ribbon and all. My final time was 22:28 and I was 27th overall. Here are some pictures from the race.



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The medal


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My cousin and I


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Our whole little group after our successful day!


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The medal legitimately says first. I love it. :)



The expo was pretty fun after, though none of us won a raffle prize, the Laker girls were there. Super cool, not. Other than that a successful day! I kind of wonder what would have happened if I actually trained for something though, like worked my tail off and got really after it with my training. This is also related to my confession that I promised you guys. Well I am becoming slowly obsessed with running a marathon. You've all done it to me. I've gotten the marathon itch. I can't stop thinking about it, how I can train for it, everything. I figure, and call me crazy, but I know if I actually trained and had a goal time and everything that I could possibly qualify for Boston, and now I've become even more obsessed with that. So I am thinking of doing a marathon in October. The Portland Marathon to be exact. More on this soon when I come to my senses and realize that it's a horrible idea. :)



So after all that, we still have our gift of the day... For all those male runners in your life... this is great gift!


Running Neckties! (that are super ridiculously tacky!)


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First we have one from Revel Sports. They have super fun Running, Biking, and Swimming Ties that are printed on heavyweight 14M silk twill. I don't know what this "generously cut" means but they are 3.3/4" wide x 56" long. They are $31.99 and can be found here.




That was the nice tie, these are more funny running ties.


This is the GO PRE tie. BUT, it looks like PREGO TIE!? Made me laugh. It's 37.45 and can be found here.



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Here's the Peace, Love, Run Tie, again, random, but kind of cool? Find it for 31.75 here.



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Sorry the bottom two pictures are so bad, but they are pretty funny so I advise you to click the link to check them out, even if it's only for a laugh. Well this week we have more gifts, and more jibber jabber about running and maybe even some more marathon confessions. :)


xoxo

41 comments:

Jodi said...

Congrats again! It was fun running with my Koo for the first time! Patchy is so proud :) haha
Love your race report, soooo entertaining...there were some manly women out there, sheesh!

With Love from New Orleans said...

The kitten is ADORABLE... Congrats on your race-- you rock. I have only participated in a 5k once... but most of the runners were either dressed up in costume... or running with a beer in their hand. Oh New Orleans....

RunToTheFinish said...

what a fantastic race time! I love catching people and when you know how many are in front of you oh man the brain really gets going!

Mojito Maven said...

NICE JOB!!!!!!! Maybe someday i can run that fast!!!...and what was up with that woman's comment about the coffee???? seriously weird

Sasha said...

Congrats to you on your medal! How exciting.

I am crossing into a new demographic this month- 35!- so maybe I can place easier? :-) 27:30 is my personal best, so maybe I can beat some 39 year if I can't beat the 30 year olds!

No Longer Using said...

first 5k since high school!!!!!!! congrats girl !!!!!! and such a pretty medal :) or maybe you just make it look good :) oooh i have been really wanting to visit portland. maybe the marathon would be a good excuse? i'm hoping to run my first marathon this spring, and then maybe portland could be my 2nd?! i've heard it's a great place to live- really affordable and super laid-back, happy, vegetarian friendly. all good things!

Anonymous said...

Congrats on 1st place! It's so impressive that you did so great on your first since high school! Awesome! You inspire me to want to work on speed.

I totally am with you on getting the marathon bug! When I finished my first 1/2 in July, I said that I could never do a full. There is something about running that just makes you want to go the next mile:) So, my husband and I are going to start training for a full in a couple of weeks - either the Oklahoma City memorial marathon or the St. Louis marathon. Decisions...decisions:)
Congrats again...oh, and cute ties:)

Billy said...

Ok, the ONLY part of the race report I didn't like was you putting down my Laker Girls ;)

Other than that...holy snappers, you've got some quick legs! That was a very entertaining read and loved the competitiveness you brought to the 5K. 22:28 is a smmmmokin' time! Congrats on the AG win too!

Great job wom- er, girl!

LyndsAU said...

that is awesome! :) congrats! 1st place... you are da bomb!!!
I gotta get to running faster :) I am already down to running two miles but I think I average like a 9:30 mile... gotta get quick :) ha

Amy said...

Wooo hoooo!! Awesome job! I love that medal!!

J said...

Congrats on doing so well in the 5k!! That is really great! I love that running top you have on! I want one!! You dont even look like you ran a 5k!!

Marlene said...

First place! Nice job, woman! ;)

You will kick some serious butt when you decide to run a marathon!

Anonymous said...

Way to keep those legs moving. Congratulations on a great finish.

Ooh a marathon!!! You definitely should. Can't wait to read more on this.

Denise said...

Congrats on first place. I really liked reading your mental thoughts about passing that woman...cute!!

Sign up for that marathon!! You can do it!

Jess said...

congrats on the sweet hardware!

Jenn said...

CONGRATS! That's amazing! Especially since you weren't planning on running it AND got behind some walkers. I'm totally impressed! Although not surprised. :)

joyRuN said...

Congrats on the hardware! Being called "that woman" would bring out the competitive in me too. Less affront on the "woman" than on the "that"!

Felice Devine said...

Nice work on the 5K! That's a great time!

Kim said...

You are SUPER awesome!! Congrats!

Portland was my first marathon!

BeachRunner said...

You look HOT in a medal. :)
Congrats on a great job!!

Allie said...

What a great time for a 5k, congrats!

I think you should go for the marathon, for sure! I would love to complete one some day!

Hollie said...

Way to go on your win! And I love the ties but can't get M to the Izz-A to run with me for anything!


Cute pics!

Cindy said...

congrats on your race bling- woot woot!
yay for portland marathon! that's where i live and i'm planning on doing it too- think there are a few of us. see you there!!

E said...

Congrats on an awesome race! YOU ROCKED IT! :)

Marci said...

Woo Hoo, first place, and very fast race! Well done!

Mel-2nd Chances said...

just stumbled across your blog, thought i'd say hi and congrats on a great race and placing first! Great way to end off the year :) Well done.

~Mrs. Guru~ said...

Yay, for your first place!! Congrats!!

Marcy said...

Whoot! Whoot!! OMG CONGRATS CHICA!!! A most fabulous job ;D ;D YAY! Awesome job on the win! Here's to many more! Very speedy time :-)

The Laminator said...

Hi ChicRunner...

Congrats on your first place finish. The hardware looks pretty good on you.

Thanks for coming over from FL's blog and saying hi.

Oh and of course you can run a marathon and train for a B.Q.!

ECrunnergirl said...

Holy fast time sister!! Congrats on that first place :=} Oh my Im so jealous! That was an awesome pace!! What is your secret??

I think you should go get Boston...Im obsessed too....if you put your mind and heart to it I BELIEVE you can do it!

Oh so GLAD you beat that skinny tan woman!! HA HA!

X-Country2 said...

Awesome race report and holla for the sweet medal!

Reading blogs is what pushed me to full marathon. The hardest thing is finding the time. Once you carve out that, it's pretty easy peasy. :o)

littlesack said...

Just stumbled across your blog. Thanks for all the gift ideas...I really want hatphones now!

and congrats on the sick medal

said...

Cute pic of your kitty! :) And those ties are cute too!

Mrs. Nurse said...

woo hoo! look at you go :)

Anonymous said...

Great run!!!, pretty cool that you got a good place on the run, the best I have gotten is place 253!!!.

Funny story about that guy who was obsessed about the run!!

Great blog by the way,

web.me.com/amaurydeleon

Marathon Maritza said...

Congrats on 1st place, Speedy McSpeedpants! ( or should that be McSpeedleggings???)

And that tie fo sho says Prego!!

Diana said...

Great job! Race hardware is the best! Way to beat the tanned skin and bones lady! That was the best part-with the exception of "patches"-being the cat lady that I am (no, I only have 2-not 200!) he's sooooo cute!

April said...

Hey! Amy and I would like to know if you'd be our Weekly Pace Setter this Friday? If you're up for it, just send me an email to 26point2ers@gmail.com and I'll reply with the questions. Thanks!

Aron said...

AWESOME job on your first place finish!!!!! WOW that is sooo cool :)

Oz Runner said...

Congrats on the run and first place medal!

That Pink Girl said...

CONGRATULATIONS! You are a Rock Star!!!